Southern Park Mall's "Operational Safety Concerns" Are Just a Symptom of a Bigger Disease
So, the Southern Park Mall in Boardman, Ohio, is having a little…hiccup. "Operational safety concerns," they're calling it. Give me a break. We all know what that usually means: something's broken, someone screwed up, and they're trying to figure out how to spin it before the whole damn thing implodes.
Employees told not to come in. Fire trucks on the scene. Signs plastered on the entrances. This isn't "operational safety concerns"; this is a full-blown five-alarm dumpster fire. And the best part? "It's not possible at this time to report any further information," says Southern Park Mall's General Manager Vince Tyler. Real smooth, Vince. Real smooth.
The Kohan Investment Group: A Masterclass in Mismanagement?
Let's talk about Mike Kohan, shall we? The genius behind Kohan Investment Group, the folks who own this delightful slice of retail paradise. Delinquent on tax payments, according to County Commissioner Geno Difabio. "This guy's not a good player," Difabio says. Ya think?
And that's the thing that really grinds my gears. It's not just the mall being temporarily closed; it's the pattern. It's the years of neglect, the tax delinquency, the general vibe that nobody in charge gives a damn. It's like watching a slow-motion train wreck, except instead of twisted metal, it's shattered dreams and boarded-up storefronts.
This isn't just about a mall; it's about the community. People's livelihoods are at stake. Businesses are suffering. The schools are getting screwed. And what's Kohan doing? Radio silence.
Accountability? In This Economy?
Cody McCormick, a Boardman trustee candidate, nailed it: the mall is on "life support." He wants accountability from local leadership and from the mall owner. "This guy needs to step up for the community," McCormick says. "If he's not going to step for the community, then he needs to see his way out of the community."
Easier said than done, offcourse. Kohan's probably got lawyers circling like vultures, ready to fight tooth and nail to protect his… what exactly? His reputation? His non-existent profits? His right to bleed this town dry?
What's the plan here? Is there a plan? Or are we just waiting for the inevitable: the final, irreversible decline into a desolate wasteland of abandoned anchor stores and faded memories? I mean, seriously, are we just going to stand by and watch this happen?
And let's be real, are any of these local politicians going to do anything? They'll make some soundbites, maybe shed a crocodile tear or two for the cameras, but when it comes down to actually doing something...well, don't hold your breath.
I'm reminded of that time I tried to fix my old car with duct tape and wishful thinking. Spoiler alert: it didn't work. Sometimes, you just gotta admit when something's beyond repair. But maybe I'm too cynical. Maybe there's still a glimmer of hope for Southern Park Mall. Maybe Kohan will suddenly have a change of heart and start investing in the community.
So, What's the Real Story?
This ain't just "operational safety concerns." This is a slow-motion disaster fueled by greed, incompetence, and a complete lack of accountability. The mall's problems are only going to keep going until someone decides to take real action. According to reports, the Southern Park Mall to reopen Monday afternoon after 'operational issues.
