Council Upset With Mall’s Performance

Orange County’s first enclosed shopping mall has fallen on hard times, and City Council members say they are running out of patience with its falling sales tax revenue.

The council will meet with owners of the 30-year-old Huntington Center at a public study session Monday to review a city-commissioned report on ways to revive the mall.

The center has lost several of its major retailers over the years, including JCPenney and the Broadway department store, which closed earlier this year.

“In its heyday, the mall was bringing in $2 million a year in sales tax revenues to the city,” Mayor Dave Sullivan said. “We suspect that next year it will be down to $500,000.”

Council members say they have been frustrated in dealing with various mall owners over the years.

“The city has made continued contact with the owners trying to get them interested in turning the location around,” Councilwoman Shirley S. Dettloff said.

“There was virtually no response to our efforts.”

“It is extremely important for us to hear what the potential of this site is and hear from the property owners if they can meet those expectations.”

Chicago-based La Salle Partners, current owner of the 60-acre center, could not be reached for comment.

City officials say the study will review options ranging from demolition to the “repositioning” of current stores such as Circuit City and Staples to more visible locations.

“We are very concerned about this shopping center’s lack of performance,” Sullivan said.

“Since it is in a redevelopment area, there is always the possibility of eminent domain.”