The photo you see above is what Ford City Mall could look like if we save it from demolition and work as a community to remodel, rebuild it and give it life once again. But it’s under attack…

*After reading this article, scroll down to the bottom to see what YOU can do to help save Ford City Mall from being demolished*

We are calling on Alderman Derrick Curtis (18th ward) and the Chicago City Council to not demolish the Ford City Mall, but give it a chance to come back to life again. 

Ford City Mall is not just a structure of bricks and mortar; it is a piece of our history, a beautiful place that once stood as a vibrant hub of activity and community life on the Southwest side of Chicago. Many years ago, Ford City was alive with the chatter of families, kids, teenagers, young adults, and seniors, all enjoying the wide variety of stores and entertainment outlets it offered. From fashion retailers to tech shops, from game arcades to quaint coffee houses, Ford City Mall was the beating heart of our community. Today, while it may seem like the echoes of a bygone era fill its corridors, I firmly believe that together we can breathe new life into this historic landmark. Ford city mall can become a beautiful landmark once again. I want to create something Chicago has never seen in a mall before.

If we can save the mall and remodel it, I would like to have an outdoor playground for kids, a splash pad park (mini water park) outdoors, popular stores inside the mall, outdoor art sculptures, outdoor waterfalls to throw coins in, a music stage inside the mall for various singers and bands to perform, restaurants within the mall, a grocery store, discount clothing stores and also thrift stores for financially struggling families, art murals on the walls outside the mall, a barber shop and a salon, an outdoor gym, an indoor waterfall with real fish (like the one inside bass pro shops), an outdoor scenic walkway that surrounds the mall and other various amenities. As for safety and security of shoppers, I would also like to have more police presence and security guards within the mall and also outside the mall, patrolling the area. I would also like metal detectors at every single entrance in the mall, and have security guards escort customers who are suspected of having a weapon, have minors be accompanied by a trusted adult after 6pm and also have multiple security cameras within the mall and outside the mall as well. To protect the outdoor amenities of the mall, I would like to have a cage or special fence that surrounds these areas (such as the playground and splash pad park) at closing time to prevent vandalism and damage. Considering the history of Ford City and its safety, this would be a great idea to protect the mall, after closing time. Another safety measure I have in mind is closing the mall at 7pm. Once we see the security measures are working, we can push the closing time to 8pm. 

Faced with the looming threat of demolition, Ford City Mall stands at horrible fate. Let us reach out to the civic authorities, stakeholders, and potential investors to propose a robust plan to revitalize this cherished space. Imagine a mall that boasts a modern mix of retail, dining, and entertainment options, complemented by beautiful interior and exterior renovations. The mall could also host community events, fairs, and exhibitions that invite participation and engagement from all demographics. Ensuring better public transport access could also increase its attractiveness to visitors.

Revitalizing Ford City Mall is not just about preserving the past, it is about creating a vibrant future for our community. According to a study by the International Council of Shopping Centers, shopping centers like Ford City stimulate local economies by creating jobs and increasing the value of surrounding properties. We have a real opportunity here to support local businesses and boost the local economy.

BUT, WE HAVE A HUGE PROBLEM! AN ENEMY…A GREEDY ONE.

Bridge Industrial (the enemy) is the company that’s buying the mall to tear it down. Bridge Industrial is a massive Chicago-based developer. 

In 2019, Ford City Mall was purchased by Namdar Realty Group, a New York-based commercial real estate investment firm, in partnership with Mason Asset Management. In late 2025, Namdar and Mason sold most of the property (ford city mall) to Bridge Industrial and now they have plans to demolish it and turn the land into a warehouse. How do the people of Ford City benefit from this?

We don’t…

 

To fund the demolition of the mall, Bridge Industrial isn’t just using their own money. They usually partner with some of the biggest pots of money in the world, including the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Investment Board and PSP Investments. What does this mean? It’s mean they are betting $150 million that warehouses for Amazon, UPS, or FedEx will make more money over the next 20 years than a shopping mall ever could. Basically, they want to tear down the Ford City Mall forever to build a boring warehouse just for greedy rich people to get their money. These greedy rich companies never once thought about the people’s opinion. What about the citizens of Ford City ? How come we don’t get a say in this? Why should we let greedy investors take away something historic and a destroy a place that we love. Ford City Mall and the citizens who love Ford City is what makes this neighborhood what it is. No city is perfect, we may have our issues, but one thing is for certain, we will not let Ford City Mall be destroyed just to become a stupid warehouse, where rich men get their money (caring less about the people) and creating unnecessary traffic congestion to this area once the warehouse is built. 

But who gets to ultimately decide if the mall gets demolished?

Alderman Derrick Curtis is the 18th Ward and he plays a major part in what happens to the mall. 
In Chicago, there is an unwritten rule called "Aldermanic Prerogative”. The
Aldermanic Prerogative is an unwritten Chicago tradition that gives each of the city's 50 alders (city council members) nearly unilateral "veto power" over zoning and development decisions within their own wards. By custom, the full City Council typically defers to the local alder's recommendation on any matter specific to their district.  As of late 2025 and early 2026, the mall is the subject of a $150 million redevelopment proposal by Bridge Industrial to demolish the struggling shopping center and replace it with four large warehouses. It’s estimated that demolition will start in fall of 2026, unless we (the people of Illinois) stop it. 

If Alderman Curtis says “No” to the demolition of the mall, the demolition will be canceled. But, if Alderman says "Yes," the rest of the City Council will most likely agree with him. That’s scary for Ford City. 

In the past, Alderman has spoken in agreement of the project (demolishing the mall and turning it into a warehouse), citing the $150 million investment and 400+ jobs as a way to fix a "dying" property. To change the outcome, we, the people of Ford City, must change his mind or make the political cost of his "Yes" too high. The Chicago Plan Commission is our hope. 
Before the deal reaches the full City Council, it must be approved by the Chicago Plan Commission. We must convince both Alderman Curtis and also the Chicago Plan Commission to disagree with the demolition of Ford City Mall. 

 They are a body of appointed officials and city department heads. They evaluate if the project fits the city's long-term goals (environmental impact, traffic, and "equitable development"). They believe a warehouse will make more money in the next 20 years than the mall. But if we the people of Ford City save the mall, remodel it and bring it back to life, we can prove them wrong!!! We must tell them “No! Don’t destroy the mall! It can come alive once again”. Why should rich investors and greedy men get to decide what happens to a mall that we all love? They don’t care about us. Money is on their minds, not the families and citizens of Ford City. 

Join me in this endeavor to save Ford City Mall and restore it to its former glory. It is a symbol of community spirit and history that must not be lost. Your signature can make a difference. Let us tell the world that Ford City is worth saving. Please sign this petition to show your support and commitment. SAVE FORD CITY MALL!! Come to every public meeting in Ford City and express your support for saving the mall.

 

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP SAVE FORD CITY MALL FROM BEING DEMOLISHED? 

If you want to help save the mall, you have to make your voice heard by the people who make the rules for the city. Here is how you can do it, step-by-step:

Step 1: Write an Email

The most important person to talk to is the Alderman. An Alderman is like the "boss" of your neighborhood in the city government.

Who to email: Alderman Derrick Curtis
Email address: Ward18@cityofchicago.org
What to say: Tell him your name and that you live nearby. Say, "I do not want Ford City Mall to be torn down." Tell him one reason why, like "I don't want more big trucks on my street" or "I like having a place to shop." Be nice, formal and respectful, do not be rude. 
You can also call Alderman Derrick Curtis at 773-284-5057 and discuss your feelings and concerns about saving Ford City Mall. 

Alderman Derrick Curtis’s office typically follows these service hours:

Monday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 

 

What to say to him?

Use this when calling the ward office at 773-284-5057.

Say…

"Hi, my name is [Your Name] and I’m calling to register my opposition to the plan to demolish Ford City Mall for warehouses. I’m worried about how this will change the character of our neighborhood and increase traffic. Does the Alderman have a 'Ward Night' soon where I can speak with him directly about this, or is there a staff member handling the Ford City project that I can leave a detailed message for?"

Step 2: Write to the "Big Committee"

There is a group of people called the Chicago Plan Commission. They are the ones who decide if the mall can be turned into a warehouse.

Who to email: cpc@cityofchicago.org
When to do it: You should send this email at least 24 hours before their next meeting so they have time to read it.

Step 3: Speak at a Meeting (Public Comment)

The Plan Commission has meetings where anyone can talk for a few minutes to discuss their feelings about what’s going on in chicago. This is called Public Comment.

Find the meeting: Check the Chicago Plan Commission website to see when they are talking about "Ford City Mall”. Click this link for more information: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dcd.html
Sign up: Usually, you have to send an email or fill out a form the day before the meeting to say, "I want to speak."
Talk: When it’s your turn, you get about 2 or 3 minutes. Stand up (or talk on the computer) and tell them clearly why the mall is important to you. 

If you have more questions about how to set up an in-person meeting, zoom call meeting or how to speak in front of the city council to talk about saving Ford City Mall, call these numbers  for more information: 

Chicago city hall office: (312) 744-6856

City council public comment: (312) 744-6800

Chicago Plan Commission:  (312) 744-5798 to ask about the schedule for public hearings related to the Ford City redevelopment plan.

Call these numbers on a weekday between 8am-5pm. 

What to say? 

Simply ask or leave a message, saying “Hi, my name is (your name) and I would like to know when and where I can share my thoughts and concerns about saving Ford City Mall from demolition. Where do I sign up?” 

Step 4: Get Your Neighbors to Help

The city is more likely to listen if lots of people say the same thing.

Ask your friends and family to send the same emails.
You can even make a petition (a big list of names) and send that to the Alderman too.

!Important Tip!

When you write or talk to these people, try to be polite but firm. If you are nice, they are much more likely to listen to your ideas and take you seriously! Be nice, formal and respectful. Don’t be rude! Show these people we are kind but also determined about saving Ford City Mall. 

 

     The photos depicted below is what Ford City Mall can look like if we rebuild it, remodel it and make it come to life once again. I made these photos myself using my own imagination, my own ideas and with the help of Google Gemini A.I.