INDIANAPOLIS — A once crown jewel of shopping and dining is hoping to reclaim its title.
Lafayette Square Mall has a new owner, Fabio De La Cruz, who has plans for big changes in the works.
"My goal is to make the mall a landmark of Indianapolis," De La Cruz said.
After earning his real estate license, De La Cruz bought multiple homes and commercial properties around the Mall before buying the mall itself.
"These spaces can be rented and they are going to be successful," he told WRTV. "The biggest challenge that the mall has right now are the big [box] stores ... I don't think that they're going to come back.
Mall tenant Christopher Mitchell quit his job to start a business, Just Like Sunday, inside the mall.
"It's uplifting. It feels good," Mitchell said. "I've been told a lot of things here with the last owners that they could do for me and nothing ever happened."
The project will include a sports park, hotel and apartments. The project should be completed by December 2023.
Mitchell is watching, waiting, and willing to give this proposed comeback a chance.
"I'm ready for new growth and a new look. You have to look good to be good," he said.
Renovations inside the mall will begin as soon as the roof is repaired.
-
Newborn safely surrendered at Marion General Hospital Safe Haven Baby Box
The infant was placed at the Marion General Hospital's Baby Box location and handed directly to hospital staff.
Man dies while working at Pittsboro steel factory, coroner confirms
The death of a man who died while working at a steel factory in Pittsboro is under investigation, the Hendricks County Coroner said.
Police: Fort Wayne man cuts off penis, uses it to set mother's garage on fire
Prosecutors have charged a Fort Wayne man with arson after he was accused of cutting off his penis and using it to burn down his mom’s garage.
Indiana raises animal cruelty to felony in wake of Cicero hot car dog deaths
The law comes into focus as prosecutors pursue charges against 36-year-old Perina James, accused of leaving two dogs in a hot vehicle, resulting in their deaths.
