It's been three months since the Southern Park Mall was sold to new owners.

The mall will likely continue receiving tax incentives, but local leaders are keeping in mind the rocky track record of Kohan Retail Investment Group. There are even more red flags in the mix, with no one local hearing a word from the retail group on its future plans.

Kohan Retail Investment Group acquired the mall for $24.1 million from previous owners, Washington Prime Group.

Since 2022, the Southern Park Mall has benefited from Community Reinvestment Area Program tax incentives. The program offers tax exemptions to owners looking to renovate existing or construct new buildings. The mall received a 15-year, 40% tax abatement in exchange for a $20 million investment.

"Being concentrated right there at the Southern Park Mall, it's always been an important part of our community," explained Ralph Meacham, Mahoning County Auditor & Chairman of the Mahoning County Tax Incentive Review Committee. "The mall is a real job generator and a center for commerce. With the new ownership, we wanted to make sure the CRA was transferable. The research that's been done into the documentation, states the CRA is transferable to Kohan."

The Southern Park Mall dodged $57,710.69 in 2023 and $34,628.47 in 2024. However, some of Kohan Retail Investment Group's shopping complexes have a history of unpaid bills and delinquent taxes. Meacham told 21 News Friday it has yet to receive the mall's current payment for the tax collection period that ended on March 2.

"I hope it's not indicative of any other future issues," Meacham said, hopeful Kohan Retail Investment Group will continue to expand the mall.

"The tax incentive is almost a moot issue," said Tom Costello, Boardman Township Trustee & Member of the Mahoning County Tax Incentive Review Committee. "The mall was valued at $32 million for tax purposes. The mall was sold to the new group for $24.1 million. So, it's kind of hard to justify increased values."

Costello told 21 News he's hesitant to extend this tax incentive to Kohan Retail Investment Group, saying he's heard crickets from the new owners. Costello claims the township is exhausting all options to attempt to have a conversation with Kohan and touch base on its goals for the mall. 

"We had a good working relationship with Washington Prime," Costello said. "It was open communication and we knew what was going on with the mall's redevelopment. When they put the mall up for sale, communications pretty much ended. We were able to follow updates in the news."

Boardman Township leaders continuously reach out to Kohan via email, phone calls, and USPS mail, with no response.

"The tax incentive is only on the increased value," he added. "I have no problem continuing it if they're going to continue to work with us and grow the mall. Right now, I don't know what they're going to do, and when I say I, I'm talking Boardman Township."

"We just don't know," Meacham said. "If you look across the country, there are a lot of large shells that used to be active malls. If you look at everything else, we have some questions as to the question of that whole area."

21 News has never been able to reach representatives with Kohan Retail Investment Group.

The Mahoning County Commissioners give the final thumbs up on all tax incentives.

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