Cincinnati Mall plans for new sports complex

FOREST PARK, Ohio - Cincinnati Mall has a new plan to mix retail with sports entertainment to make use of thousands of square feet of empty retail space.

The mall, formerly known as Cincinnati Mills, and originally Forest Fair Mall, has struggled for decades in trying to create a successful business plan to draw consistent crowds.

The Journal News reports that Cincinnati Sports Zone has signed a 25-year lease to open a new sports complex inside the space formerly used by Bigg's. The plan calls for three ice rinks to be used for hockey, figure skating and recreational skating. The newspaper reports that the zone will take up 180,000 square feet.  The development also will include a restaurant, a sports bar and a volleyball court.

The large space also can adjust to accommodate other events.  The ice rinks can melt to be used instead for soccer or even car shows.

Construction is set to begin in January with completion by the end of the summer. The project will create more than 200 jobs with construction work first and then operational jobs at the opening.

World Properties, LLC, the owner of the mall, announced in January that it was planning to mix up the offerings for customers.  This plan offers the sports entertainment element, which for hockey teams and figure skaters, is a welcomed addition.  There are few ice skating rinks in the area for those sports. 

Mall owners, reportedly, also are working on lease contracts for additional tenants to bring to the mall in early 2012.

The mall has struggled for decades. It opened in stages in 1988 and 1989. The first strategy was a high end attraction that offered retail never before seen in the area. That plan failed miserably. 

The mall renovated the inside in 2004 and shifted its focus to discount retail offering many outlets. That did not succeed for long either.

The property is located in Forest Park just off I-275 at the Winton Road exit. Current anchor stores include Kohl's, Burlington Coat Factory, and Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World.