Akron is taking another step toward the redevelopment of the Rolling Acres Mall property.
City Council approved a plan Monday to seek bids to demolish the former mall.
City development engineering manager Brad Beckert predicted that it could be razed within the next 12 weeks.
“We want to get this demolished as quickly as possible,” he said.
He called the site dangerous and a nuisance because of the people who have been breaking into the boarded-up property.
The city is setting aside $450,000 for the project, although Beckert said he believes it will cost less to tear it down.
Akron took ownership of the interior of the mall and some acreage outside last month following a lengthy tax foreclosure process.
The city now owns 277,000 square feet of building and 54 acres. It does not own the five former department stores, which are all owned separately and will remain standing.
Councilman Jeff Fusco said the mall building needs to come down, as it has outlived its purpose.
City leaders are trying to determine what to do with the property in the future, calling it one of the most important decisions that the community is facing.
Ideas have ranged from light manufacturing to housing to retail to a massive youth sports complex. There’s no timetable for making a decision.
“I look forward to some good things happening up there,” said Councilman Mike Freeman, who represents the area.
In other development news, council agreed to pay up to $210,000 to Eslich Wrecking Co. of Louisville for demolishing the former Stage Left building next door to the Akron Civic Theatre downtown.
The building, located along South Main Street, was torn down because it was structurally unsound and in danger of collapsing, the city said.
The council also agreed to contribute $70,000 toward rebuilding a wooden section of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail that was damaged by fire earlier this year.
About 60 lateral feet of a floating bridge between Summit Lake and West Wilbeth Road was torched by unknown arsonists in April. The entire project has been estimated at $164,000, with other sources, including Summit Metro Parks and private donations, paying for the remaining portion.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter at @armonrickABJ.
