ENFIELD, Conn. — One of the largest retail properties in the state will be torn down and redeveloped. Big plans are in the works for the Enfield Square Mall.
In its hay-day, the mall was a thriving retail Mecca. Now it’s a zombie mall. It has fallen into disrepair following years of neglect. The town has long wanted to do something about it and now they finally found a developer willing to help.
Town leaders provided FOX61 with renderings of the mall of the future. “The new vision is a mixed use model,” said Mayor Ken Nelson.
The new developments will be complete with retail, housing, hotels, and recreation. “If we don’t do anything it is just going to continue to deteriorate,” added Nelson.
It already has deteriorated significantly. Major retailers have abandoned their spaces, the roof has major leaks and the fire alarm system has had major issues.
“There’s no secret the current owner of the mall is not friendly to the people in the mall or the town and it’s costing the residents money,” explained Nelson.
The mall is now mostly an indoor walking track for the elderly.
“They’re not shopping. No. They are not,” remarked Alyshia Boudreau, the manager of SSUP Photo Designs in the mall.
There are still a few small tenants whose futures are now up in the air.
“It sucks because we are all tight knit here and there are probably going to be a lot of us who separate ways,” said Boudreau.
The mall’s current owner, New York-based Namdar, is selling the property to Nebraska based Woodsonia. Woodsonia is a developer managing 75 properties in 75 different communities.
“Experience. This isn’t somebody who just came up with a great idea, this is somebody who has actually done it,” remarked Nelson.
Specifically the project would bring big brand name retailers, 450 housing units, two hotels, walking and biking trails and new restaurants.
“I think it’s a good thing. Positive,” said Lucia Christie, a Milford resident, who used to go to the mall often.
The plan does have a big price tag of $250-million. They are relying on $20 million in state funding, and that money is not a guarantee.
“I’m confident that some of the money will be there. I’m not sure that the state will allow the $20 million,” said Nelson.
The developer has said if they don’t get that $20 million from the state they probably won’t go through with this project, which is slated to take at least two years. The developer is also asking for money to ensure the soil isn’t contaminated from past development.
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Matt Caron is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at mcaron@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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