PHOENIX — The demolition of Phoenix's historic MetroCenter Mall began this week, marking the end of a 50-year landmark that shaped local culture for generations.
The long-shuttered mall will become home to "The Metropolitan," a mixed-use development. The project features an outdoor retail complex called "The Loop," surrounded by townhomes at various price points, from starter homes to luxury residences.
Phoenix City Councilwoman Ann O'Brien took the first shift in an excavator Monday morning and knocked down the first section of the old Dillard's department store, clearing the way for a long-awaited redevelopment.
"It's a little bit bittersweet," O'Brien admitted, "but this community has been waiting for so long for this to be rejuvenated."
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Adiós MetroCenter. Hola Metropolitan
When MetroCenter opened its doors in 1973, it made history as Arizona's first indoor, two-story, air-conditioned mall. Though the mall closed in 2020, it still has legions of fans who remember spending time shopping there including O'Brien.
"Shopping, my first credit card, one of my first jobs, sitting on Santa's lap," O'Brien said, "so yeah, a lot of memories here."
Millions know the mall from shopping, but its most famous role was as itself in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, starring Keanu Reeves and Alex Winters. The movie is about two high school slackers failing history class until a time traveler from the future comes to their rescue for the good of mankind.
They bring back historical figures to ace their final presentation, but not before losing most of them inside MetroCenter Mall.
It's a movie Phoenix Economic and Development Director Christine Mackay loves so much she quoted it in her speech Monday afternoon, and presented O'Brien with a copy of the film.
"I now get to be part of the vision that creates the new iconic Metropolitan," Mackay said.
The development, which is expected to take years to complete, hopes to breathe new life into an area that has struggled in recent years.
The question is whether the project will drive rejuvenation, or if the neighborhood will drive the project's success.
"I think it's both," O'Brien said.
"I think this will help to improve the area, but I also think the area will be able to support this," she said.
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