Washington County allocates $6M for Washington Mall demolition amid blight concerns

The Washington County Board of Commissioners has made a significant move by approving up to $6 million for the demolition of the deteriorating Washington Mall. This decision, reached in collaboration with the Washington County Redevelopment Authority, aims to address the blight that has plagued the area for years.

Commissioner Sherman emphasized the long journey to this point, stating, "This has been a long time in coming. We've had meetings ad nauseam over the last two years." The mall's decline is attributed not to natural disasters but to the owners' failure to maintain the property, raising questions about accountability for the costs involved in its demolition.

Chapman Properties, based in Leadsdale, has reportedly reached an agreement to handle the demolition and subsequent development of the site to attract new tenants. Mr. Rosenberg from Chapman noted, "The bottom line is the mall is falling down, and this will forever perpetuate its disappearance."

Despite the urgency of the situation, concerns were raised about the lack of documentation regarding the demolition project. A request for records related to the mall's condition and the agreements made was denied, leading to skepticism about the transparency of the process. Questions linger about whether the owners will be financially responsible for the demolition costs and what will happen if the property changes hands in the future.

As the board moves forward with this project, the implications for the community and the future of the site remain to be seen. The commissioners are expected to continue addressing these concerns in future meetings.