Elkhart community shows excitement over Concord Mall renovation

ELKHART, Ind - Concord mall, which has been serving Elkhart for over 50 years, is set to close its doors.

The mall, which was built in the early 70s, is set to go under major renovations, from Ohio based Industrial Commercial Properties.

The company plans to invest $35 million into the property by the end of the year, and also $5 million from the city to create 100-300 new jobs.

The city hopes this will spark new economic activity.

“For me the mall was really a time for me to be able to get together with my friends when I was a teenager,” said Lillian Miller-Coral, who lives in Elkhart County.

Now, she has a young daughter, so she's hoping more family-friendly stores set up shop in the area.

"We would love to see more stores that [...] include multimedia materials or family oriented and just kind of have different products that they are advertising” said Miller-Coral.

The mall, often a destination spot where people go to shop, eat, and play, is instead, at Concord Mall, a group of storefronts that have become abandoned over the years. 

That's why the developer, Industrial Commercial Properties, wants to transform the property into a mixed used development with things like housing, and commercial spaces.

Tony Ngyuen, who has owned nail care here since 1996, is not really sure what the future holds for his business.

“But now the new owner, they're going to buy it, and they're going to do something. We worry, we don’t know if they going to keep us or if they're going to tell us to move out,” said Nguyen.

Monday night, October 2, the Elkhart City Council approved $2 million from the economic development income tax fund, where funds are specifically set aside for economic growth.

Industrial Commercial Properties will use those funds for the project by fixing the roof and asbestos remediation, with construction starting as early as this week.

First District Councilman Aaron Mishler, who grew up going to the Concord Mall, is excited for the rehabilitation project to get underway.

"Unfortunately, times change, and the mall wasn’t able to keep up with them," said Mishler. "With this new project, I'm hopeful it can bring some life into the property."