IE Business Daily Business news for the Inland Empire.
San Bernardino held a demolition ceremony on April 24 at Carousel Mall, an event city officials hope will be remembered as the start of a new era for the beleaguered property and their city’s downtown.
After donning construction helmets and safety vests, Mayor Helen Tran, city council members, staff, and other dignitaries grabbed sledgehammers and took one swing each at an empty concrete planter that bore the mall’s familiar carousel logo.
“This is a great day in San Bernardino,” Tran told the crowd of more than 100 at the mall’s s West Second Street entrance. “We have reached a huge milestone in the redevelopment of this 43-acre site. It’s the end of an era, and it’s bittersweet for those of us who have lived in San Bernardino for a long time because all have fond memories of Carousel Mall.“But the redevelopment of this property will be a catalyst for the redevelopment of the rest of downtown.”
The mall, which opened as Central City Mall in 1972, closed for good in 2017 and is now surrounded by a fence. Since it was shut down, the mall has fallen into serious disrepair and has been the site of several fires, causing several council members to call it a potential health hazard.
The council wants to replace the mall with commercial-residential development.
The four-phase demolition is expected to start in late May or early June and be completed by November, said Daniel Hernandez, director of public works.
