SW Side In Trouble If Warehouse Park Doesnt Replace Ford City Mall, Ald. Says As Some Neighbors Oppose Plan

Ald. Derrick Curtis warned that the community could face significant challenges if the Ford City Mall redevelopment into an industrial campus does not proceed as planned. Bridge Industrial, a Chicago-based real estate company, proposes a multi-building campus that could create approximately 1,000 jobs and generate $2 million in annual property taxes. The developers await City Council approval for the necessary rezoning, as the mall currently stands at 54 percent vacancy with only 15 stores remaining. During a three-hour community meeting, neighbors raised concerns about noise pollution, traffic issues, and potential environmental hazards from the demolition.

Curtis criticized the current mall owners, Namdar Realty Group, calling them "slumlords," and stated that Bridge Industrial is the only interested buyer. The campus, designed to accommodate a variety of small and medium-sized businesses, will be built on a speculative basis without confirmed tenants. Curtis emphasized the urgency of community support for the project, warning that the city could face dire consequences if it fails. If the project does not receive backing, Curtis fears that future investment opportunities may be severely limited.