'A clean slate': Bloomingdale eager to develop site of shuttered mall

BLOOMINGDALE (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Demolition of Stratford Square Mall could begin in late summer as the search continues for what to do with the site of the shopping center in Bloomingdale that closed permanently last month.

The Village of Bloomingdale spent about $16 million to buy the mall, after unsuccessful efforts to attract more retailers and create a joint partnership with a previous owner of the shopping center.

Village Administrator Pietro Scalera said Bloomingdale leaders want to transform the site into a mix of retail, restaurants, entertainment and housing  as well as open space for markets and festivals.

“We are not going to be looking for a single developer to serve on our behalf,” Scalera said. “The village board is actually going to take the lead in redeveloping the property.”

Scalera said, after Stratford Square is demolished, village leaders could work with a variety of partners to find a successful future for the site of the closed shopping center.

“We are planning on demolishing the existing mall, kind of beginning with a clean slate, with what we feel would be the type of entertainment and retail and restaurant type uses,” Scalera added.

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