Richland Mall redevelopment underway

Richland Mall redevelopment underway; plans include city park, brewery, grocery store

By coladaily.com

An update regarding the progress of big redevelopment plans for the former Richland Mall were announced during a press conference Monday morning.

Mayor Thomas Andrews, the Forest Acres City Council, Senator Mia McLeod, and Representatives Beth Bernstein and Heather Bauer attended and spoke during the conference. The three lawmakers helped secure 3 million dollars in the state budget allocated toward purchasing and developing a new city park at the site. Richland County Council Chair Jesica Mackey and County Councilman Don Weaver also attended.

Officials said the name of the new development has yet to be announced, and plans are underway to redevelop the location into a mixed-use property. That site is set to include retail spaces, a large grocery store, apartment homes, and a brewery or tap room overlooking a new city park.

The city park is a vision for city and community leaders. According to officials, city leaders and the community have long been searching for a space to hold larger public events. Plans for the park include an outdoor performance area, green space, walking trails, and other amenities that make this park usable throughout the day.

Construction on the park is estimated to start in roughly 18 months. The mall is currently closed to the public, and fencing has been hired to begin securing the site on the Forest Drive side of the property. Officials shared that the Forest Acres Police Department will oversee securing the site’s safety and charge anyone who enters with trespassing.

Southeastern Development purchased the 32-acre mall property in early 2023. The company is headquartered in Augusta, GA, and their original redevelopment plans called for 18-plus months of work to remodel the former Parisian building to relocate Belk. However, Belk is no longer part of the project and permanently closed the Forest Acres location in August 2023.

Southeastern has credited the public-private partnership by Forest Acres and the Richland County Council as vital in completing the deal. The councils both agreed to a combined tax deferment equal to $23 million over 20 years, whichever comes first.

The city is currently finalizing contract details with a design team with plans to receive public input, followed by master planning for the park once the contract is finalized.

The City of Forest Acres purchased nearly six acres of mall property to develop it into a large greenspace for hosting large events and concerts.

The historic deal marks the largest investment in Forest Acres in over 35 years. Southeastern’s new property is estimated to be valued at around 100 million, if not more, once the project is complete.

For more information on planning sessions and updates, follow @CityofForestAcres on social media.