Buena Park : Study to Consider Redevelopment for Mall
The City Council has ordered a study to determine whether the Buena Park Mall should be included in a possible redevelopment project.
The council this week approved a resolution calling for a 30-day study to determine the feasibility of improvements to the 25-year-old mall, owned and managed by City Freeholds (USA) Inc.
According to May Wong Hui, the city’s economic development manager, the study will be conducted by GRC Redevelopment Consultants, a Claremont firm specializing in creating project areas. The study will determine what type of aid the city could offer in accordance with redevelopment guidelines.
David Souers, executive vice president of City Freeholds, expressed interest in the city’s plan but said mall owners are planning to make improvements “one way or the other.” These improvements are expected to begin near the first of the year.
Buena Park Mall was built in 1962, with Sears & Roebuck becoming the first big tenant. City Freeholds bought the mall in 1976 and in 1980 added a second level and 100 more shops. In 1984, eight new theaters and 20 more merchants were included.
Souers said he expected the city to offer aid in areas such as off-site improvements but added that possible action is still only being discussed.
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