LITTLE VILLAGE — The beloved Discount Mall and its surrounding plaza are in the midst of renovations.
Fencing has been up around the plaza for several weeks, while a significant park of the parking lot has been dug up. The facade on the closed southern half of the Discount Mall looks to have been renovated, as did the exterior on a strip of buildings on the south side of the plaza.
The exterior of the north side of the Discount Mall, 3115 W. 26th St., which is still open, appears to be intact.
The new building along 26th Street is also in progress. The space used to be part of the parking lot.
Credit: Madison Savedra/Block Club Chicago
Credit: Madison Savedra/Block Club Chicago
Credit: Madison Savedra/Block Club Chicago
Work was also being done of the exterior of the Walgreens inside the plaza Thursday afternoon. Esperanza Health Center and La Baguette Bakery, other tenants of the plaza, are expected to undergo renovations, a spokesperson said previously.
It’s unclear exactly when work started or how much of the project is left. A spokesperson for plaza owner Novak Construction didn’t respond to requests for comment.
The company previously said the renovations would include new building facades and roofs, a new surface parking lot plus new lighting, landscaping and signage.
When news first broke that Novak bought the beloved Discount Mall and its surrounding plaza in 2020, neighbors were concerned the developer would bring in big box chain stores.
The developer has previously said leasing to big chain stores has never been the intention. A spokesperson didn’t answer questions about if there are tenants yet planned for any of the vacant buildings in the plaza or for the new building.
Credit: Madison Savedra/Block Club Chicago
Credit: Madison Savedra/Block Club ChicagoIn June, vendors and local leaders said the initial construction was disrupting their businesses and costing them customers.
Business owners said the fencing made it look like the mall was closed, and an error on Google Maps listed the Discount Mall as permanently closed, which vendors said led to a loss of out of town customers.
Vendors also have said they’re losing business because customers are afraid of getting their car ticketed or booted.
Signs around the plaza say parking is reserved for shopping on site.
Earlier this year, around 40 vendors on the south half of the mall were forced to move out when their leases expired and they were unable to reach an agreement with Novak on new leases.
Vendors fought for months to get Novak to reverse the decision, but they ultimately moved out in March.
The city then arranged a plan for the vendors to move into a long-vacant Gage Park Kmart. There’s been no update on this plan.
More photos of the construction site:
Credit: Madison Savedra/Block Club Chicago
Credit: Madison Savedra/Block Club Chicago
Credit: Madison Savedra/Block Club Chicago
Credit: Madison Savedra/Block Club Chicago
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The Link LonkAugust 01, 2023 at 09:13PM
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Little Village Discount Mall Construction Is Underway - Block Club Chicago
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