Redevelopment commission approves Woodland Crossing work plan, lease forms and design funds as mall tenant strategy shifts

The Elkhart Redevelopment Commission on Jan. 14 approved multiple measures intended to reposition Woodland Crossing after the departure of its largest tenant, Big Lots.

The commission approved the 2025 common area maintenance (CAM) budget for Woodland Crossing, adopted standardized lease documents including a personal guaranty form and a lease addendum with site rules, authorized a two-person executive committee to negotiate and execute routine tenant leases, and approved contract and procurement steps to reconfigure the vacant 20,000-square-foot former Big Lots space.

Why it matters: Commissioners and staff said shifting the former Big Lots space into smaller units would increase leasing flexibility and revenue potential. The actions create templates and a faster approval process for routine leases, authorize design work and tenant build-outs, and clear an early path for asbestos…