With substantial investments literally around the corner, lots of people are happy to learn that the owner of the Orchards Mall is placing the property on the auction block as reported earlier this morning. Friedman Integrated Real Estate Solutions of Farmington Hills has been contracted by mall owner Michael Kohan to sell the more than 60-acre property and 535,000 square foot mall in an online only auction next month.
With new stores being completed in the Orchards Park project which also houses the Michigan Secretary of State’s office on the back side of the mall, and new hotels popping up along Cinema Way a short drive away, as well as new life opposite the Pipestone Road entrance, for a strip mall that houses The Wooden Door, the Sign Division and the forthcoming arrival of a new herbal health shake bar, the region can be dramatically uplifted by the right investor doing something dynamic at the mall site.
Cornerstone Alliance President Rob Cleveland is excited by the opportunities. He tells me, “This is a great opportunity to breathe new life into the Orchards Mall. Benton Charter Township, the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission, Berrien County Community Development and Cornerstone Alliance are all working to change the future of the mall area.” Cleveland and his team collaborators hope to help mold the right choice there, telling me, “Cornerstone Alliance has identified developers that have a history of successfully re-developing projects just like this. We will be contacting those developers, in addition to the marketing efforts done by the auction company.”
Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski says this morning, “The mall owner and I do agree on one thing — that the future of the Mall is best with a new owner.” Witkowski notes that even after owner Michael Kohan paid the delinquent taxes for 2015 totaling $275,000 back on April 2nd, he still owes back taxes dating to 2016 forward in the amount of $407,476.80.
When the 2015 tax bill payment staved off foreclosure last month, Cornerstone’s Cleveland noted, “The businesses in Orchards Mall employ a large number of Berrien County residents and they provide a much needed exchange of goods and services. The Orchards Mall area will play a vital role in the future of our community and Cornerstone Alliance will pursue redevelopment opportunities by partnering with local government entities, planning agencies and other partner organizations, as we all strive for the highest and best use of the property.”
Social media responses include such comments as:
- “Fingers crossed this could be a big turning point for our community!”
- “Lots of malls are being converted into interesting, thriving spaces. Hopefully this one will have a successful second life.”
- “I hope someone with a vision buys it and makes it blooming again.”
- “It honestly needs to be owned by someone different than the current owner!”
- “I hope it is sold to someone that wants to give this corner of Michigan a place filled with decent stores so we can SHOP LOCAL! So many would. It was packed in the 80’s, it could happen again!”
- “Maybe a Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s or a Ruby Tuesday’s can go up in its place.”
Mike Kohan’s Retail Investment Group out of Great Neck, New York purchased the mall nearly four years ago. The mall was built 39 years ago in 1979. It underwent substantial renovations in 1993 and is located at 1800 Pipestone Road in Benton Harbor. The mall is co-anchored by JC Penney and Jo-Ann Fabrics.
Shops and organizations in the Orchards Mall are now, and will continue to be, open for business throughout the auction process. The mall is still open.
Here’s a link to the earlier story regarding the auction announcement and how to be a part of the auction:
