The Woodville Mall has a new owner. The property has been empty for more than a year after the Wood County Health Department shut it down for violations.
According to records from the Wood County Auditor's Office, the facility was sold for $800,000 last month.
The documents list the new owner as "Ohio Plaza Shopping Center LLC" based out of New York.
At first glance, it sounds like positive news, but some city officials aren't so sure.
"I got to looking at the transfer and it was another corporation in New York," Northwood Administrator Bob Anderson said. "I got to looking at it and said this might not be what it appears to be on the surface."
Anderson hops the move will be the right one. However, he thinks it may have been for tax purposes not for redevelopment.
"We're hoping that the new owners actually are planning on knocking it down and doing something with it," Anderson told 13abc.
For a lot of people the mall holds a special place in their hearts. That's why many say they want to see development and not just some empty lot.
"I'd love to see a Target or some restaurants," Mary Jo Schweizer of Oregon said. "Just more shopping."
Dave Hoffman of Millbury said, "A sports complex like how Sylvania has Tam-O-Shanter. You'd have indoor basketball and soccer."
Right now, its too early to tell what will happen to the vacant mall. Anderson remains optimistic but says, "we have to be based in reality. We're going to do our best to make sure we get the best for the city of Northwood."
So far, city leaders have had little communication with the new owner. If there were plans to tear down the complex, the company would have to get permits through the city and deal with the Ohio EPA.
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