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A public meeting is scheduled for tonight (April 6) to discuss the future of the ShoppingTown Mall property in DeWitt. Hosted by Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon, the event will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at DeWitt Town Hall. The meeting aims to gather community input on redeveloping the mall into a mixed-use community featuring housing, retail, and office spaces.
The ShoppingTown Mall, which closed in 2020 after years of high vacancy rates, was purchased by Onondaga County from Moonbeam Capital for $3.5 million. The county later acquired the former Sears store for $4.5 million and recently gained control of the former Macy's store through an eminent domain action approved by State Supreme Court Judge Joseph Lamendola on March 30. The county offered $2.5 million for the Macy's property, as reported by Syracuse.com.
The county's industrial development agency issued a request for proposals on March 10, seeking developers to transform the 65-acre site into a vibrant community hub. The proposals must include plans for housing, retail, office space, and potentially warehousing and manufacturing, reflecting the area's growing tech industry. Proposals are due by May 14.
Reservations are required to attend the meeting due to limited space. Interested individuals can RSVP by emailing IsabelleHarris@ongov.net. A recording of the event will be available on the county's social media sites the following day. The county hopes to select a developer who can bring new life to the long-vacant shopping center and support the area's economic growth.