According to an article by Reuters, the two Quad City malls are up for sale. The article says NorthPark Mall and SouthPark Mall are apart of 17 malls their parent company Macerich is putting up for sale.
Moline city leaders and Macerich have been working for years on revitalizing SouthPark Mall. Members of the SouthPark Mall task force, which is made up of city officials and representatives from the chamber of commerce, say the article does not change anything and they are still working with the company to fix up the mall.
"We have been actively working with the owner," says Quad Cities Chamber V.P. Paul Rumler.
"We have had a very good relationship and we still have a very good relationship," adds Moline City Administrator Lew Steinbrecher.
The task force recently visited a Des Moines mall Macerich renovated. The tour was given by Macerich representatives who wanted to show off the possibilities for fixing up SouthPark.
"They took the inside entrances and made them exterior entrances," adds Steinbrecher, "They're talking about doing something similar here."
Next up for SouthPark Mall is creating a tax incentive district. Council is expected to discuss the issue in late April. After the district is formed the city could get its first look at a revitalized mall.
"We were led to believe there would be some conceptual drawings for us to look at in terms of what those renovations might look like," says Steinbrecher.
The city has not spoken with representatives from Macerich about the Reuters article. However, even if the mall is sold plans will not change.
"The mall continues to be the largest sales tax producer," adds Steinbrecher, "It's a very important property tax producing property and it is very vital to our local economy."
TV6 contacted Macerich representatives both locally and at the corporate level. They sent us a statement saying "They will not comment on rumors" and they declined to answer questions.
