Ford City Mall To Close In June

Key Points:

• Ford City Mall on Chicago’s Southwest Side will close on June 22 due to hazardous conditions, including a defective fire suppression system deemed an “imminent health and safety risk” by city officials.
• The mall has suffered from large vacant spaces, flooding, open wiring, poor lighting, and leaks that could cause structural failure or sinkholes, prompting an emergency motion for evacuation.
• JCPenney, the mall’s last anchor tenant and the last store in Chicago, will close its Ford City location on June 21 but is exploring new store opportunities in the area.
• The mall’s owner, Namdar Realty Group, has been criticized for neglecting the property since purchasing it in 2019, with city officials calling them “slumlords” due to lack of investment and deteriorating conditions.
• While the main mall will close, nearby North Mall businesses and the AMC theater remain open for now, with court hearings ongoing regarding the fire suppression system and future safety of the entire property.