Residents urge council to protect small businesses, shape Monroeville Mall redevelopment as Walmart prepares site

Monroeville — Several residents used the council’s Citizens Night on April 1 to press elected officials and the mall’s developer to protect small shops and shape redevelopment of the Monroeville Mall after its sale.

Alyssa Beck, who identified herself as the founder of Sustainable Monroeville and Reimagine the Turtle Creek Watershed and Airshed, told council she has produced two short films documenting community visions for the mall and urged the borough to share them with the developer. "There are 2 5 minute videos that I'm gonna supply to the mayor and to council in the next day or 2 that reimagine Turtle Creek Watershed And Airshed created that gives you a synopsis," Beck said.

Beck and other speakers emphasized retaining independent businesses in any redevelopment and urged community engagement in design choices. "I just wanted to present a gift not only to Eric Poach, my councilman...this is my book," Beck said while offering copies to council and audience members.

Context: Public discussion follows recent reporting that Dallas‑based Cypress Equities purchased the mall and that Walmart is involved as a nonpublicized investor. Residents said they learned about the Walmart investment through news coverage and asked the borough to ensure local businesses and neighborhoods have a voice in planning.

Council response: Council members and staff described meetings with Cypress Equities during the sale process and said the municipality learned about the Walmart connection from the news like other residents. "Walmart was a silent investor with Cypress Equities," one council speaker said, adding that Cypress has told borough officials it intends to interview design firms and involve the community.

Residents’ concerns and requests: Georgiana Woodhull and other residents asked for clearer public notice of redevelopment steps and for community input on what uses the mall should contain. Woodhull cited news reporting of a $34 million purchase and asked for municipal assistance in outreach for people who do not use online channels.

Why it matters: The mall site is a major commercial property at the borough’s gateway; redevelopment decisions will affect local businesses, traffic, employment and the Turtle Creek watershed. Beck framed the project as a long‑range showpiece opportunity for Monroeville, while other residents focused on concrete protections for small tenants during redevelopment.

Next steps: Council said it expects developers to engage the community as design work progresses and promised to share information as it becomes available. The municipality's planning staff indicated they would continue to coordinate with the developer and circulate materials to council and the public.