Eastland Mall demolition could begin as soon as August

Demolition of Eastland Mall could begin as soon as August and, if the project takes as long as similar ones, could be completed in six to nine months.

A significant amount of materials will likely be preserved or recycled, including the malls four iconic entrance signs.

The City Council approved a plan Tuesday to tear down the closed mall for $871,520. The city has said it hopes to redevelop the site, possibly into movie studios. The council voted 10-1 to approve the demolition of the mall, which closed in 2010. Council member Andy Dulin voted no.

Environmental Holdings Group was the citys low bidder for the project, but a contract has not been finalized, said EHG Senior Vice President Brian Sanders.

Salvaging icons

Before Eastlands demolition begins, community members are focused on preserving an important part of the malls character.

Jamie Banks of the citys Neighborhood and Business Services said the city will likely not complete the demolition contract until the community has squared away its plans for saving the entrance signs.

Eastland Area Strategies Team is an east Charlotte community group spearheading plans to preserve the malls four entrance signs. EAST board member Martique Lorray, who lives in the Windsor Park neighborhood near the mall, said the signs are icons representing a site that once inspired a sense of pride in the community.

The group has been in contact with the Arts & Science Council to look into turning the signs into public art in east Charlotte, Lorray said.

It would just create a sense of place and pull some of the dynamic stories of Charlottes past and make it a dynamic story for its future, Lorray said.

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Eastland Mall demolition could begin as soon as August