Christmas has come early for Plantation residents as the long-abandoned construction site at the Broward Mall gets a fresh start. The Midtown Group, a South Florida-based company, purchased the 17-acre property for $28 million, bringing hope for revitalization to an area plagued by inactivity.

Once a Sears store, the site was slated to become an entertainment hub in 2019. However, the pandemic halted progress, leaving the structure a stark “concrete jungle.” Plantation Mayor Nick Sortal shared his excitement about the sale, calling it “the highlight of my year.”

The delay not only marred the cityscape but also hurt the mall’s business. Residents often questioned if the Broward Mall was still operational. To add to the challenge, Governor Ron DeSantis’ 2022 executive order froze work permits post-Hurricane Ian, limiting the city’s options to enforce progress.

Now, the Midtown Group is stepping in, with plans to begin demolition soon. While the exact future of the site remains uncertain, Mayor Sortal envisions something akin to Boca Raton’s Mizner Park. Proposals will undergo public review and government approval before work begins.

Plantation’s residents eagerly await the transformation, hoping this marks the end of the mall’s stagnant chapter.