Demolition of the former Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix is more than a year behind schedule.
The city of Phoenix and co-developers Concord Wilshire and Hines had to change their redevelopment plans after a state law changed how cities collect tax on rentals.
Steve Betts, senior development manager for Concord Wilshire, said they are now reimagining the 80-acre site off Interstate 17 and Dunlap Avenue.
Betts said construction financing should close by mid-August with demolition to begin by the end of the month. It could take 10 months because of asbestos removal.
“Unlike a lot of buildings that you can either see imploded or scraped quickly with a big grader or piece of heavy machinery, Metrocenter Mall can't be done that way for health reasons,” Betts said. “What we don't want to do is release that asbestos into the air for air quality reasons and for health reasons. So we will be removing the asbestos in advance of demolishing different phases of the mall as we take it down.”
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Metrocenter Mall officially closed on June 30, 2020.
Christina Estes/KJZZ
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Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix on June 20, 2020.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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When Metrocenter Mall opened in 1973, it was believed to have been the first mall west of the Mississippi River to have five department stores.
Christina Estes/KJZZ
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Metrocenter mall in Phoenix in September 2015.
Kathy Ritchie/KJZZ
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A vintage photo of Metrocenter Mall.
Carlyle ER Metro LLC.
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Metrocenter Mall on June 29, 2020, shortly before it closed for good.
Sky Schaudt/KJZZ
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A vintage postcard depicting Metrocenter Mall.
Carlyle ER Metro LLC. / handout | agency
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Harkins Theatres remains open at the site of the former Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix.
Christina Estes/KJZZ
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Preliminary sketches of the redevelopment Metrocenter site.
Hines
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Preliminary sketch of the redevelopment at the former Metrocenter Mall site.
Hines
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Preliminary sketches of the redevelopment Metrocenter site.
Hines
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Preliminary sketch of the redevelopment at the former Metrocenter Mall site.
Hines
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The former site of Dillards at Metrocenter mall.
Kathy Ritchie/KJZZ
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The area around Metrocenter Mall is among 46 census tracts Phoenix hopes will become qualified opportunity zones.
(Photo by Christina Estes - KJZZ)
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Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix on June 20, 2020.
Tim Agne/KJZZ / editorial | staff
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Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix on June 20, 2020.
Tim Agne/KJZZ / editorial | staff
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Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix on June 20, 2020.
Tim Agne/KJZZ / editorial | staff
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Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix on June 20, 2020.
Tim Agne/KJZZ / editorial | staff
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Although Walmart appears on this sign, it is not part of the former Metrocenter Mall.
Christina Estes/KJZZ
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Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix on June 20, 2020.
Tim Agne/KJZZ / editorial | staff
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Metrocenter Mall at Interstate 17 and Dunlap Avenue in the early 1970s.
City of Phoenix
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Former Sears Tire store outside the former Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix in November 2021.
Christina Estes/KJZZ
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Harkins Theatre at Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix.
Christina Estes/KJZZ / editorial | staff
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U-Haul moved into the former Macy's store at Metrocenter Mall.
Christina Esttes/KJZZ
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Metrocenter's property manager said the mall was 67% occupied in June 2019.
Christina Estes/KJZZ / editorial | staff
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Dillard's Clearance Center which remained open after Metrocenter Mall closed will be demolished.
Christina Estes/KJZZ / file | staff
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Metrocenter was believed to be the first mall west of the Mississippi River to have five department stores. Today, only Sears and Dillard's remain.
(Photo by Christina Estes - KJZZ)
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Former mall entrance next to Harkins Theatres which remains open.
Christina Estes/KJZZ
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Shortly before the Great Recession, Metrocenter's former owner spent more than $30 million on renovations including the food court.
Christina Estes/KJZZ / editorial | staff
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While stores struggled to pay rent, Metrocenter's former owner struggled to cover the mortgage and the mall went into receivership.
(Photo by Christina Estes - KJZZ)
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Bidders can purchase Metrocenter store signs, including this one.
EJ's Auction & Appraisal / handout | agency
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A string of vacant stores at Metrocenter Mall.
Christina Estes/KJZZ / file | staff
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A vacant store at Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix on June 12, 2019.
Christina Estes/KJZZ
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A Metrocenter Mall entrance near the Harkins Theatre.
Christina Estes/KJZZ
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An entrance to Metrocenter mall that opened more than 40 years ago but has lost nearly a third of its stores since the start of the recession.
(Photo by Steve Shadley - KJZZ)
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A major makeover is planned for Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix.
(Photo by Christina Estes - KJZZ)
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A developer plans to partially or completely demolish Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix.
(Photo by Christina Estes - KJZZ)
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Metrocenter in Phoenix is one of the largest malls in the United States.
(Photo by Christina Estes - KJZZ)
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— metrocenter-mall-rendering-20240731.jpg
Updated rendering of redevelopment plans for Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix.
Concord Wilshire
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— metrocenter-mall-park-rendering-20240731.jpg
Updated renderings of the planned redevelopment of Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix. / Concord Wilshire