During the regular Benton Charter Township meeting Tuesday, new Berrien County Commissioner Chokwe Pitchford updated trustees on a possible project brewing at The Orchards Mall in Benton Harbor.
Pitchford, who was elected to represent Benton, Hagar and Sodus townships at the county level, said he had a preliminary meeting with the Orchards Mall leadership, Township Supervisor Kathy Yates and Lakeshore District State Representative Joey Andrews.
“We had a productive conversation that can be fruitful if all players are committed to bringing the project to fruition,” Pitchford said. “Many ideas were floated and assistance and resources may be available if the parties involved keep an honest, open, and consistent line of communication about their challenges and roadblocks.”
Pitchford did not elaborate on the content of the meetings.
From the mall being behind on taxes, to one of its only retail stores having trouble with ownership, being flooded from a burst pipe and closing due to water damage, WSJM and Moody on the Market have extensively reported on The Orchards Mall in recent months.
‘Orchards Mall is dead’: Store owner reveals why he is hanging on in barren building
Orchards Mall closed after burst pipe causes flooding; Dr. ZZZZ’Z inventory decimated
