Akron is considering taking ownership of the former J.C. Penney store at Rolling Acres mall and possibly demolishing the building.
The Plano, Texas-based department store chain has agreed to give the vacant building to the city at no cost.
Council members discussed the issue at Monday afternoon’s committee meeting.
Councilwoman Margo Sommerville, who chairs the council’s Economic Development Committee, said she’s happy that J.C. Penney agreed to donate the property.
“It’s a tremendous cost savings for the city,” she said.
City spokeswoman Ellen Lander Nischt said the city wants to tear down the building because it’s in “poor condition, contains asbestos, and could be difficult to secure, making it susceptible to illegal entry.
“The city’s top priority remains the safety of the public and this is an unsafe situation we want to address as soon as possible,” she said.
But Ward 9 Councilman Mike Freeman said he need a fuller explanation of why the building couldn’t serve another purpose.
“It was usable up until four years ago,” he said after Monday’s meeting. “It was the last building (at Rolling Acres) to serve the public, and at that time the interior seemed fine. The exterior seemed fine. I just want to understand why it should be torn down.”
Demolition costs weren’t immediately available.
The J.C. Penney donation comes at an ideal time because Eslich Wrecking is at the property along Romig Road tearing down portions of the mall now.
The demolition crew can transition into knocking down the former department store, as well, Sommerville said.
The city is razing the property to make way for future development.
Akron took ownership of the mall — but not the attached department stores — and about 50 acres around the shopping center last year through a tax foreclosure.
The inside of Rolling Acres closed in 2008. The mall, which opened in 1975, had been in decline for years before it closed.
The other former department store properties — Target, Dillard’s, Macy’s and Sears — are independently owned. Several have said they have successful business operations and are not interested in selling.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter at @armonrickABJ .