WATCH: Drone Footage Gives One Last Look At McFarland Mall

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Tuscaloosa businessman and property owner Stan Pate announced that the demolition of the McFarland Mall will begin on Tuesday at 8 a.m., which comes amid a study to bring a proposed sportsplex to the property.

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The mall was first opened on Feb. 19, 1969, and was at one time a center of retail commerce for the city, featuring numerous major retailers and a movie theater. As options in the local economy grew, while the market evolved with the advent of online commerce, the once-popular mall saw business lag and eventually fell into disrepair.

On Monday, Pate posted a Facebook Live video featuring drone footage of the mall, providing one last look at a longtime stalwart of the city's retail economy.

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