Westland mall is an 'eyesore'; here's what city wants to do with property

WESTLAND — The Westland Shopping Center was something special when it opened.

Its first patrons in 1965 were met with a building designed by noted architects that featured a four-story Hudson's, nice restaurants, and an SS Kresge store. The mall was so popular that Nankin Township residents elected to name their new city — Westland — after the mall when they incorporated in 1966.

Tom and Kim Zarembo said they've been coming to the mall since 1972. It's a place their relationship blossomed as teens.

"We have strong, vivid memories of the Westland mall," Tom Zarembo said. "We came here window shopping."

But the busy storefronts of the 1960s, '70s and '80s are long gone. According to its website, there's a combined 55 stores and restaurants in a facility meant to accommodate over 120 stores. On a weekday, many of the stores still in business aren't open in the afternoon.

"It’s just deteriorating on all fronts," Mayor Mike Londeau said. "The signage is fading, the lighting is bad at night and the security – or the lack thereof – leaves people feeling unsafe."

Londeau recently announced a task force made up of city administrators that will explore purchasing the mall property. The group will work with industry experts and stakeholders to determine cost, development opportunities and more.

"We’re interested in the property, not the mall itself," Londeau said. "We’d want to see a mixed use, public-private partnership there."

Namdar Realty Group, which owns the mall and is based in New York, declined an interview request. Westland Shopping Center management also asked Hometown Life to leave the property for speaking with customers earlier this month, citing a "no media" policy.

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The mayor described the mall as an "eyesore" and said it's something residents complain about. He thinks a downtown-like development would create opportunities for the community to come together and "bring Westland into the future." Londeau said he's inspired by the downtowns in nearby cities such as Plymouth and Northville.

"It’s a draw. That’s what brings people to the city," he said. "It has a downtown feel, a hometown feel. There’s so much you can do."

Londeau said his administration is also open to purchasing outlot properties at the mall, such as the closed Panera Bread and Ashley's Beer and Grill, along with some of the mostly unused parking lot. He thinks even partial redevelopment would help "bring that property back to life."

"It’s a new approach to an old problem," he said. "We want to take a closer look and see what we can put together ... Maybe the mall is willing to talk to us; maybe it’s something they want to look at."

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Contact reporter Shelby Tankersley at stankersle@hometownlife.com or 248-305-0448. Follow her on Twitter @shelby_tankk.