Southfield's Northland Mall To Close After More Than 60 Years

SOUTHFIELD (WWJ/AP) - An Oakland County judge has ruled that a court-appointed receiver can begin closing one of the country's oldest malls.

Circuit Judge Wendy Potts said Wednesday that there are few alternatives to shuttering Northland Center in Southfield.

"The court reluctantly will allow the receiver to proceed with his plan to close the mall," Potts said. "The court acknowledges that this decision may impose a burden on the defendant, on the mall's tenants and subcontractors and on the community — all of whom count on its continued operation."

Potts added, however, that Northland's benefits to tenants, owners and the community "are outweighed by the losses" that are about $250,000 per month.

The mall, located in Southfield, just north of Detroit, opened in 1954. It was enclosed in 1971 and has lost about half its stores, including anchor stores, in recent years.

In recent months, Macy's announced that its store would close in that location, and the Target there has shut its doors.

A lawyer for the receiver says the company that bought Northland in 2008 defaulted on a $31 million payment.

The mall's receiver says 30-day eviction notices soon will be sent to the 70 remaining tenants. The property then could by marketed for sale.

Many remaining tenants at the mall told WWJ they haven't been given a lot of information and don't know what they'll do when the mall closes.

Stuart Stein, who owns "Doctor Steins" at Northland, said his father started the business in 1956. They're hoping to move elsewhere.

"I understand there's gonna be some help from the city of Southfield; they're gonna look for situations that will be viable," he said. "If that works, fine — but the time is terrible...30 days. You can't buy a sandbox and have it installed in your backyard in 30 days."

Several people talking to WWJ's Sandra McNeill this week said the main problem at the mall is too much crime.

TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.