McFarland Mall Demolition Resumes As Pate Eyes Future Of Property

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The second phase of demolition work at the McFarland Mall began Thursday, as heavy machinery slowly gnaws away at what's left of the once iconic Tuscaloosa landmark.

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The initial demolition work began a little more than a year ago, as developer Stan Pate has expressed his desire for a legacy project — such as a sports tournament facility or entertainment district — to occupy the site.

The project has been a contentious one to say the least, with little progress made in improving a a property viewed by most as an eyesore.

ALSO READ: Column - Mr. Pate's Opus

"If I can do one thing as I finish my development career in this community, it is to be a part of, again, the future," he said last February. "This is the future for the next 50, 60, 70 [years]. Who knows what it looks like when we're not here?"

First opened in 1969 and purchased by Pate from the McFarland family in 2009, the once-vibrant property fell in a severe state of decline. Still, the Dollar Tree store still saw customers buzzing in and out on Thursday, as crews methodically worked on what's left of the original structures.

In a radio interview Thursday morning with the Steve & DC Morning Show on 95.3 The Bear, Pate said there was roughly 200,000 square feet left to demolish as work began earlier in the day.

"We just want a signature development in the community," Pate said. "I would like to have a legacy project here ... What I want is something that when people come through Tuscaloosa, they want to stop and hopefully stay."

During the radio spot, Pate was joined by his newest ally on the project — District 7 Councilman Cassius Lanier. Still early in his first term after unseating incumbent Sonya McKinstry, who previously worked closely with Pate on the project, Lanier expressed his excitement for what the future holds.

"Mr. Pate is doing a solid for the City of Tuscaloosa and District 7," Lanier said. "It's going to be crazy for the future of District 7 ... We've joined forces now, so watch out!"

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