Statement of Alderwoman Chantia Lewis
May 14, 2020
The New 9th District, its residents and the city received a welcome and bright ray of light and good news yesterday when a judge ruled that the demolition of the former Northridge Mall should proceed immediately.
In his decision yesterday (Wednesday, May 13), Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge William Pocan determined the City of Milwaukee’s raze orders were reasonable and that the former mall buildings in the 9th District be immediately demolished by their absentee landlord owner, China-based U.S. Black Spruce Enterprise Group Inc.
I have made the demolition and redevelopment of the longtime vacant eyesore mall property my top priority and I have partnered with residents and city departments to make it happen. Together we’ve worked hard to keep these promises to the residents, and yesterday’s decision helps bring us one step closer to actualizing the goal — the goal of a New9th, a revitalized 9th, and bringing hope and steady progress back to the district.
Black Spruce Enterprise Group has frankly been a nightmare absentee landlord and has only reacted when pushed by our team and the court – and then only at the last second in a stopgap and minimum fashion. The mall has been a vacant, dilapidated and dangerous location for years and they are to be condemned for their shameful tenure and for putting our residents in danger.
Last, I would like to thank and congratulate the Department of City Development and City Attorney’s Office staff who have worked tirelessly to get the action to where it is now. Their efforts include hundreds of hours of dedicated work on behalf of the city (and residents), and they have been spectacular.
In the midst of a pandemic it is truly wonderful to get a little ray of light and hope, and I will relish this ruling as we get ever closer to the demolition that is long overdue.
