NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
Despite the final two anchor stores announcing plans to close at Hickory Hollow Mall, city officials believe the mall will make a comeback in the future.
"It's going to be a long road back. It can come back, it will come back and I think our investments are correct," Nashville Mayor Karl Dean told Nashville's News 2.
Recently, both Sears and Macy's announced they are closing their stores at the Antioch mall, leaving only a handful of stores open.
Mayor Dean said despite the closeures, he and other city leaders have big plans to help revitalize the mostly vacant mall.
"Every city in America has problems with malls and the first ring of suburbs around cities," Dean said
Dean told Nashville's News 2 he compares Hickory Hollow Mall to the 100 Oaks Mall, which has been transformed into a medical facility for Vanderbilt.
"You've got to be creative. I think that's what we're doing at Hickory Hollow, being creative like Vanderbilt was at 100 Oaks," he said.
Future plans for the space at Hickory Hollow, which is located in Nashville's fastest growing area, includes a park facility, a library and a community center.
Nashville State Community College also hopes to begin offering classes at the mall in the fall.
"We want to attract people back there. The city also is participating with Nashville State to bring the community college there. The city is making a million dollar investment with that," Dean explained.
Sears has not announced an official closure date, however, Macy's is scheduled to close in March.
Related Stories:
- Jan. 4, 2012: Macy's to close at Hickory Hollow Mall
- Dec. 30, 2011: Sears, Kmart stores to close in Mid-State
- Nov. 4, 2011: City to purchase former JCPenney building
- Dec 7, 2010: Metro Council defers vote on Hickory Hollow leases
- Dec 2, 2010: Flea market, expo will stay at fairgrounds another year
- Nov. 28, 2010: Vendors, shoppers want flea market to remain at fairgrounds
- Nov. 17, 2010: Business owners back Mayor Dean's Hickory Hollow plan
- Oct. 5, 2010: Bill to save state fairgrounds deferred
- Oct. 2, 2010: NASCAR star plans to fight speedway closing
- Sept. 13, 2010: Mayor proposes park at state fairgrounds site
- Sept. 10, 2010: Mayor unveils revitalization project for Hickory Hollow Mall
- Sept. 8, 2010: Hickory Hollow Mall among options to host fairgrounds events
- April 29, 2010: Mayor's budget plan calls for city to restructure debt
- Nov. 7, 2009: Council debates fairgrounds' fate
- Oct. 6, 2009: Tenn. State Fairgrounds to cease operations in June
