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Ford City Mall owner faces fines, court action over security

Ford City Mall owner faces fines, court action over security

Rule Changes Chicago, IL local

Tootsie Roll joins city's legal push to secure shuttered South Side mall

Today: City takes owner to court; Tootsie Roll joins

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

The closed Ford City Mall has become a magnet for break-ins and drag racing. The city is now taking the owner to court, and the adjacent Tootsie Roll factory is joining the legal fight.

The owner, New York-based Namdar, faces fines and could lose control of the 70-acre property. The outcome determines whether the blighted site becomes a safe redevelopment or a continuing hazard.

Why it matters

The court fight decides who controls a 70-acre hazard that threatens a neighboring candy factory and the community.

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Key Indicators

121
Days since mall closure
The mall closed June 22, 2026, under court order.

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People Involved

Organizations Involved

Timeline

June 2026 October 2026

6 events Latest: Today
Tap a bar to jump to that date
  1. Mass break-in video surfaces

    Incident

    Dozens of people peel back plywood and enter the closed mall; video posted online.

  2. Video shows men attacked by mall security guard

    Incident

    Two urban explorers say they were struck by a guard's vehicle in the parking lot.

Scenarios

1

Court appoints receiver to take over Ford City Mall

Possible Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: Ald. Derrick Curtis and community groups

If Namdar continues to miss deadlines, the court could appoint a receiver to secure the property and manage it until the sale closes. This would strip the owner of control and shift responsibility to a court-appointed manager.

2

Sale to developers closes, demolition begins

Likely Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: NBC Chicago

Developers are already contracted to buy the property from Namdar and plan to demolish the mall in November. If the sale closes, the security problem ends as the site is cleared for an industrial warehouse.

3

Owner complies with security plan, avoids fines

Unlikely Resolves by Jan 31, 2027

Discussed by: Namdar's legal team

Namdar could finally submit and implement an approved security plan, satisfying the court and avoiding fines. This would keep the owner in control but require ongoing compliance until the sale closes.

Historical Context

One moment from history that rhymes with this story — and how it unfolded.

2008-2017

Rolling Acres Mall closure (2008-2017)

Rolling Acres Mall in Akron, Ohio closed in 2008 after decades of decline. The abandoned structure became a notorious 'dead mall,' attracting vandals and urban explorers for years.

Then

The mall sat vacant and decaying, becoming a safety hazard and a drain on the surrounding community.

Now

It was finally demolished in 2017, and the land was redeveloped for industrial use.

Why this matters now

Like Ford City, Rolling Acres shows how a shuttered retail property can become a magnet for trespassing and crime until ownership is forced to act or the site is redeveloped.

Sources

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