PHOENIX — Metrocenter Mall is still standing one year after demolition was set to begin.
A City of Phoenix spokesperson said the building is now scheduled to be torn down later this year, likely in the fall.
The mall closed its doors to shoppers nearly four years ago.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Se suponía que un centro comercial de Phoenix sería demolido el año pasado, le explicamos aquí por qué sigue en pie
It first opened back in 1973 as the first two-story mall in Arizona. It had five department stores and was the first in the state to host a movie inside.
"It had good memories, but it's time to go," Charlie Kisselburg said. "It will be good for everybody to close it and knock it down."
Kisselburg told 12News he'd been shopping at the mall since the 1980s. He now owns a small business nearby and said the mall's closure is impacting the shop.
“Less people, less foot traffic," Kisselburg said.
The mall was notably used for several scenes in the 1989 film "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure."
In November 2022, the Phoenix City Council voted to spend $850,000,000 to replace the empty mall with a walkable village.
The developer, Concord Wilshire Capital and TLG Investment Partners with Hines, released designs that include 2,600 multifamily homes and 150,000 square feet of commercial, retail and restaurant space.
People living nearby said they're looking forward to seeing those plans come to life.
"I think it will be better for the business if they finally put apartments there, better to get more customers and help all the businesses," Leanna Howell said.
Demolition was supposed to begin last summer, but there's no sign the building is coming down anytime soon.
A City of Phoenix spokesperson told 12News there's more environmental and remediation work needed before demolition can begin.
Once things finally get moving, Kisselburg said he thinks the city's reimagined plan for Metrocenter Mall will improve the entire area.
“We’re hoping maybe they tear it down before the end of this year," Kisselburg said.
The new development will open in phases, according to the City of Phoenix. The first phase is expected to open in 2026.
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