Owings Mills Mall Owners, County Officials Not Tipping Hand

There may be major changes coming at the site of the Owings Mills Mall, but don’t ask Baltimore County politicians exactly what will happen – or when. 

“We’ve had some conversations with the owners of the mall, which I initiated last May,” said County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, who specifically mentioned changes to the mall and the construction of during remarks at a ribbon cutting in Owings Mills last week.

But when asked if current mall owners General Growth Properties might sell the mall, Kamenetz would not answer directly.

“Stay tuned,” he said.

Chicago-based General Growth Properties declined to comment on the status of the mall, which many residents have described as in decline.

Speculation about redevelopment of the shopping center began after county councilwoman Vicki Almond said that operations of the mall could be handed over to Kimco Realty Corporation, which did not respond to a request for comment.

Almond, , said nothing is certain but Kimco could turn the mall into an open-air shopping center, while current mall anchors JCPenney and Macy’s would remain.

An Almond staffer, however, said redevelopment at the mall, new development at the Owings Mills Metro Centre and construction of a shopping center on the would not begin anytime soon.

“Tomorrow we’re not going to drive by and there will be a thousand things there,” Jonathan Schwartz said. “It’s not imminent, in that tomorrow there’s going to be a ground breaking.”

Especially in the case of the mall, much would have to be done before a new facility could be built. For starters, the mall’s owner must still set up a meeting with JCPenney and Macy’s, which own the buildings where their stores are housed in Owings Mills. 

County councilman Kenneth Oliver, who is working closely with Almond in guiding new development in Owings Mills, said that meeting had not taken place yet, but that all parties appeared to be on board.

“I know it’s going to be soon, because everyone is looking to move forward,” Oliver said.

Owings Mills has had development on the mind in recent weeks.

A resolution was drafted by Almond and Oliver on Sept. 19, which sought to to discuss future development.

The so-called “Committee to Explore the Future of Owings Mills” would include members of the community and representatives from some of the area’s largest land owners, perhaps including and . 

A spokeswoman for confirmed it had been contacted to serve on the committee, but details were not yet fleshed out.

Such a group would likely , Schwartz said.

The Owings Mills Mall, which just turned 25-years-old, .

But a a steady stream of stores left the mall, starting in the 1990s, and the perception of crime has turned away some would-be local shoppers. The mall , and few customers traverse its halls.