San Bernardino will pay $8 million to level Carousel Mall

San Bernardino has agreed to pay $8 million to demolish the Carousel Mall.

In a 5-1 vote, the city council at its Wednesday meeting approved an agreement with Cerritos-based Resource Environmental to level the former shopping center, Councilman Theodore Sanchez said.

Councilwoman Kim Calvin cast the dissenting vote. Councilman Ben Reynoso was absent.

Resource Environmental originally proposed demolishing the downtown mall, which has been shuttered for five years, for $7.7 million. That was well below other bids, even after the city agreed to add $2.3 million to pay for any unforeseen costs.

Several council members, including Sanchez, were concerned about cost overruns, which are common on such a large project. Council ordered staff to reassess all of the demolition bids and come back with a recommendation, which was that Resource Environmental could level the mall for $8 million without fear any substantial unforeseen costs.

“Staff looked at it and said they can do it for that price, and that’s good enough for me,” said Sanchez, who represents the first ward, where Carousel Mall is located. “I think we have to have confidence in staff.”

A demolition timeline has not been established, Sanchez said.