Boardman trustees OK community economic development designation

BOARDMAN — Boardman township trustees voted to designate the Southern Park Mall a Community Entertainment District despite community concerns that few details of the redevelopment project are public.

"We haven't really heard anything from Washington Prime Group about what concrete they're doing there," said resident Bobbi Terwilliger.

A CED designation can be provided to areas at least 20 acres in size which contain a combination of entertainment, retail, social or cultural establishments. The designation allows the state to grant up to five additional liquor licenses to incoming restaurants in the new DeBartolo Commons area.

Unlike other means of acquiring a liquor license, liquor licenses acquired through the CED cannot be transfered, sold or used outside the CED designation.

So far, Washington Prime Group announced that one new tenant is Steel Valley Brew Works, owned by Stonefruit Coffee operator Josh Langenheim. The mall owner also plans to bring in a golf simulation venue.

"We need answers before you OK it, and you're rushing into this," said resident Ralph Cook.

Washington Prime Group intends to complete the redevelopment in the fall, in time for the mall's 50th anniversary. Washington Prime Group acquired a CED designation in the process of redeveloping Great Lakes Mall in Mentor, cleveland.com reported in December 2017.

Trustee Larry Moliterno explained that the township has more to lose if the mall goes dark.

"I don't have a crystal ball," said Moliterno. "We'll judge it in a couple of years."

This story was originally published December 30, 2019 at 12:14 PM with the headline "Boardman trustees OK community economic development designation."