Revitalization projects breathe new life into Elkhart malls
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After years of decline and empty storefronts, Elkhart’s once-bustling malls are undergoing a dramatic transformation. Through a combination of private investment and public partnerships, city officials and developers are working to repurpose these aging retail spaces into vibrant business, health, and community hubs.
The revitalization efforts are seen as critical to strengthening Elkhart’s economy, preserving jobs and breathing new life into neglected commercial corridors.
“It was an interesting year for malls in Elkhart. Last year, we lost three of our primary anchors at Concord Mall,” Mike Huber, director of development services with the city of Elkhart, said.
As shopping habits have shifted and national retailers closed locations, Elkhart’s malls struggled to keep tenants and foot traffic. But rather than letting these large properties sit vacant, city leaders have embraced creative redevelopment strategies to ensure these spaces continue to serve the community.
Concord Mall becomes business park
One of the most visible success stories is Concord Mall—Elkhart’s largest mall—which lost two of its primary anchor stores in recent years, including JC Penney. Facing the mall’s steep decline, the city partnered with Cleveland-based developer Industrial Commercial Properties LLC to stabilize and repurpose the site.
The developers retained a core of functioning retail outlets, including Hobby Lobby, ABC Warehouse and several outward-facing stores that were less dependent on interior mall traffic. The rest of the property, however, was transformed into a business park.
“They invested $20 million, and the city provided a little bit of an investment there,” Huber said. “Right now, they have three new industrial tenants in the space that occupy around 270,000 square feet. There’s a little bit of space left.”
The redevelopment has already brought about 150 new jobs to the area. Huber said the influx of businesses is rejuvenating the facility, which had been losing tenants and underperforming for years.
Woodland Crossing anchors neighborhood growth
Closer to downtown, another former mall is seeing new life. Woodland Crossing Shopping Center, formerly known as Pierre Moran Mall, transitioned away from being an enclosed mall years ago. The property was reconfigured into two separate strip plazas, and recent efforts are pushing its redevelopment even further.
A significant catalyst was the joint purchase of the old Sears building by Goodwill Industries and Heart City Health. The former 100,000-square-foot department store is being divided into two halves, each serving vital communal needs.
Goodwill completed a $6 million renovation earlier this year, expanding its Excel Center school and developing an auto training facility within the former Sears auto center. The organization plans to offer additional job training programs at the site.
Heart City Health is in the process of redeveloping the other half of the building, with plans to open a comprehensive health care center that will offer urgent care, dental services, behavioral health and more. Huber said the project is expected to serve up to 15,000 patients per year and represents an investment of more than $20 million. Kroger also signed a new 25-year lease at the shopping center.
The city purchased the remainder of the Woodland Crossing property, totaling roughly 100,000 square feet of retail space and a significant expanse of parking lot. City officials have developed a Master Site Plan aimed at creating a more walkable, livable mixed-use development.
“We want to strengthen the retail core. We want to bring in other kinds of businesses and supportive services. We’re also looking for daycare providers to come into the space,” Huber said. “We’re looking into transforming some of these large spaces into smaller spaces that neighborhood entrepreneurs can come and operate businesses out of.”
Huber emphasized the city’s vision of integrating residential, commercial, service, health, education, and job training facilities within the same complex.
Redevelopment Commission approves key contracts
The Elkhart Redevelopment Commission is playing a crucial role in facilitating these transformations. At a recent meeting, members approved several measures to support ongoing revitalization efforts at Woodland Crossing.
One resolution authorized the acceptance of a proposal from AnCon Construction for the interior demolition of the former Big Lots space. This follows previous work to remove asbestos from the building. The demolition is necessary to prepare the site for a prospective new tenant, with funding sourced from the city’s Consolidated Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district.
Another approval extended the city’s engagement with Neighborhood Evolutions, a consultant working on the Woodland Crossing redevelopment. The contract includes two components totaling $171,000, with funding split between the Consolidated TIF and the Woodland Operations Special Account.
Additionally, the commission approved a new contract for parking lot maintenance at Woodland Crossing. Best Sweep Specialist, a new vendor, will handle the annual sweeping of the shopping center’s parking lot. These costs are considered recoverable through Common Area Maintenance contributions from the center’s tenants, as stipulated in their leases.
Economic impact and future prospects
City officials say the revitalization of these malls is not only about improving aesthetics or filling vacant buildings; it’s about economic sustainability. The projects are creating jobs, attracting investment and providing essential services to residents. By reimagining these properties as multi-use hubs, Elkhart is ensuring that underutilized spaces remain active contributors to the local economy.
Widely known for its manufacturing heritage, the redevelopment efforts represent a necessary adaptation to changing economic conditions, according to Huber. Transforming aging malls into vibrant centers of commerce, education, healthcare and community services helps diversify the local economy and meet the evolving needs of residents.
“It’s about making these spaces part of the community again,” Huber said. “We want to create places where people can live, work, shop and get the services they need. All within their own neighborhood.”