A development firm plans to hold a ceremony today in Union City to mark the start of demolition of the former Shannon Mall and to announce the first phase of the project’s redevelopment — including a new movie studio facility.
Union City officials and Atlanta-based industrial developer Rooker will hold an event at 2 p.m., according to a news release. In addition to a movie and television facility, the mall’s redevelopment is expected to include a 1.1 million-square-foot distribution center.
Shannon Mall, about 20 miles southwest of downtown Atlanta, opened in 1980 and was a regional shopping hub for south Fulton County and surrounding communities. But the property, like several regional malls in metro Atlanta, had trouble keeping tenants and engaging shoppers as newer outlets opened, online retailing surged and then the recession sapped consumer spending.
The property closed in late 2010 and was known at the time as Union Station Mall. The property went into receivership in 2011.
Rooker acquired the site and has said it is planning a mixed-use development, including space for a distribution center, and retail, hotel and residential space.
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