Jan. 16, 2024 10p
(WGTD)---Demolition of half of Racine’s Regency Mall to make way for a previously-announced $120 million renovation project is expected to begin next month. That’s what the Racine City Council was told Tuesday night just before alders approved a conditional use amendment.
John Mulherin, an executive with mall owner Hull Property Group, said that the eastern half of the mall will be torn down. To be built in its place will be a five-acre Woodman’s grocery store.
Subsequent phases are to include 280 apartments and possibly a hotel and restaurant.
The redevelopment project was one that was borne out of necessity as the mall, following national retail trends over the years, struggled. Mulherin said he believes the redevelopment project, once complete, will be a model for the nation. "This is not something that is easy to do. It's very complicated but what we think is going to result from this is literally the cover story of some trade magazine. It's going to be a case statement of how do you develop a struggling mall."
The demolition project will clear the way for the construction of the grocery store, which is expected to open in the third quarter of 2025.
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