Demolition begins at Eastland Mall, 57 years after the shopping center opened

Posted by author February 20, 2025 Shopping

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Demolition begins at Eastland Mall
Future unclear for site
More demo to come this summer

More than half a century after its opening, Eastland Mall in Columbus is crumbling to an end.

Crews from the Grove City demolition company Loewendick started demolishing the north end of the shopping center on Columbus’ Southeast Side this week in preparation for major demolition in upcoming months.

Owners of the mall, Eastland Mall Holdings LLC of Louisiana, reached an agreement with the city in November to demolish much of the mall by the end of May, ending years of court battles over the condition of the shopping center, which closed in December 2022, more than half a century after opening on Valentine’s Day in 1968.

Workers started demolition work on the former JCPenney store, which closed in 2015. Eastland Mall Holdings owns the former anchor, along with the mall building itself.

The former Lazarus/Macy’s and Sears anchors and the former Sears Auto Center are owned by other entities. The Macy’s spot is occupied by Eastland Preparatory Academy, which the city agreement seeks to protect.

While the first phase of demolition must be completed by May 31, the second phase, adjacent to the academy, cannot start until the school’s summer break and must be completed by Sept. 15, according to the agreement.

What’s ahead for Eastland?

The future of the Eastland site remains unclear.

In June 2023, the city approved an $849,600 contract with the Columbus landscape architectural and urban design company MKSK to develop a comprehensive plan for the mall and surrounding area. The plan, created with other groups and members of the community in an effort called “Eastland for Everyone,” will be unveiled March 6, according to the group’s website.

Ideas previously suggested for the property include affordable and senior housing, a grocery store and other retail, a rec center, and greenspace.

Eastland’s demolition marks the end of Columbus’ three “directional” malls. Northland, on Morse Road, was largely demolished in 2004; and Westland, on West Broad Street, was demolished in 2023.

jweiker@dispatch.com

@JimWeiker