$30 million Security Square Mall revitalization project nears design phase
BALTIMORE - A $30 million Security Square Mall revitalization project in Baltimore County is approaching its design phase.
To date, Baltimore County and the state have each committed $15 million, which is not the total funding expected for redevelopment.
Community leaders have been introduced to the project consultant. Many participated in the charrette in 2022. At this point, there is not a design team in place.
Haki Ammi told WJZ that he's lived across from Security Square Mall for more than three decades and he held his first job there while in high school.
"It's experienced many different challenges and I'm excited about the potential that people are focusing on this area," Ammi said.
Ammi attended a meeting Wednesday night as members of the NAACP Randallstown branch gave an update on the progress of the major project that will bring new stores to the mall.
"The community deserves it and it's a middle Black community and they deserve the stores and the shopping experience," said NAACP Randallstown President Ryan Coleman
Baltimore County Council passed a bill last year to allow the county to target areas for redevelopment, including and surrounding Security Square Mall.
Coleman said the project, funded locally and by the state, is entering the next phase of the project. A consultant firm with offices in Maryland and in Boston will meet with county leaders to discuss design options.
"We're really starting to get into the nitty-gritty of what needs to be there," Coleman said.
The consultant team is engaged in due diligence and gathering information. The next phase is a market analysis.
The project has been in the works since 2021.
The county bought 18 acres of land around the mall area, including the former Sears building, with plans to revitalize it.
Ammi says he's hoping the new space will bring new experiences and opportunities.
"We have to look at those retail spaces and opportunities as well as young adults teenagers to get their first jobs like I got my first job," Ammi said.
Coleman says the next steps are to hold public meetings to get public input, but those dates will be announced at a later time.
View the entire renderings and plans here.