Eastgate Mall development project on hold amid legal battle

UNION TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WXIX) - Plans to develop the Eastgate Mall and build a Kroger have been stalled for nearly two years amid legal battles.

Court documents show that the Hull Property Group, which purchased Eastgate Mall in 2023, wants Kroger to build its new store at the far end of the parking lot near Route 32 with its entrance facing inward.

Kroger has plans to demolish the SEARS building that it purchased in 2021 and build their store on that footprint with the building facing out toward Route 32.

Hull Property Group’s plans account for further development on the broader property, including apartments and other stores such as a Menard’s.

Union Township Trustee John Becker said he started looking into the situation after receiving complaints from his constituents.

“Well, it’s frustrating,” he told FOX19 NOW. “People have been wanting to see the mall get redeveloped or somehow making it attractive again.”

Becker said that he and the township would be willing to mediate or find a solution to the disagreements, but as it stands, the case is before a judge.

He explained that the whole property has 11 property owners who have veto power over any development. Among those owners are Kroger and Hull Property Group.

“The Hull group is claiming Kroger can’t do what they want to do without permission from all of the property owners,” he said. “Kroger is claiming the contract should be thrown out anyway because they no longer have a purpose.”

He said that veto power expires in 2030, so he believes it’s possible Kroger could wait five years and do nothing until the other owners have no power to stop whatever build they choose.

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