'Goodbye Northridge, Hello Granville': What could replace abandoned mall?

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – The city of Milwaukee is in the middle of its plans to tear down Northridge Mall to make way for a new development they hope will revitalize the area and stand the test of time.

The city was granted mall ownership last winter and has been working on razing it since. Milwaukee Alderwoman Larresa Taylor represents the district and tells CBS 58 that after all the back and forth and years of blight, it is a breath of fresh air to imagine what could replace the mall.

"Some people have asked, 'what is your mission?' and the mission is to rebrand and rebuild district 9," Taylor said.

A town hall on Monday allowed residents to share their thoughts on the project, and after it ended, many shared their concepts online through a webpage created for public input. Some said they would like to see a trade/vocational school, a community center, housing, or a state penitentiary.

"I think almost all of those speak to what the needs are and what the mayor is looking to do with our city. In looking to grow our city, if we have housing, if we have community space, even if we have a prison...all of those speak to job creation, all of those speak to bringing togetherness in the community," Taylor said.

"Goodbye Northridge, Hello Granville" is the project's slogan as it aims to reinvigorate the neighborhood.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Milwaukee right now," Granville BID Executive Director Mary Hoehne said.

Hoehne tells CBS 58 that seeing residents excited about the property's potential is great because the BID works to highlight the area's positive aspects, and a new development would draw more people in.

"We have 39,000 people that work in Granville. Would we please provide them with something to do along with the people that live in Granville?" Hoehne said.

What can realistically be built there? That is dependent on a market analysis that is being done to decide what is best, plus any potential developer's plans for the 58 acres the city now owns.

To give your thoughts on the future of the Northridge Mall property, click here.