As the Southern Park Mall waits for the upcoming DeBartolo Commons project next door to bring back the traffic it once knew, Boardman Township officials are waiting for the mall's owner to regain firm financial footing.
 
"This is really a corporate thing, not necessarily locally impacting us," says township administrator Jason Loree.
 
Washington Prime Group is blaming an exodus from brick-and-mortar stores by shoppers, along with the COVID pandemic for forcing it to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
But while the financial future for Washington Prime may be uncertain, township officials insist the future is still promising for the mall and the property.
 
"We have been reassured that it will not impact any of the construction or the grand opening plans for the site," Loree said Monday, referring to the October 23 opening date.
 
DeBartolo Commons will feature an indoor golf complex and a brewery, among other things.
 
Trustee Tom Costello says those upcoming developments on the mall site are still full steam ahead but added "we want the mall to continue to be very successful at its current location...I am 'cautiously optimistic', which would be a good way to put it."
 
 
Optimistic that the development will not only come to fruition but will have a ripple effect on businesses that surround the mall.
 
"This development is huge for Boardman Township and Mahoning County and stabilizing the business sector," said Loree. "I think it's going to re-energize the area."