 Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn announced Wednesday that demolition has
officially begun at Dixie Square Mall in south suburban Harvey. The
vacant mall has been an eyesore ever since cars unceremoniously
smashed through it in the iconic film."The demolition of the
Dixie Square Mall will help revitalize the local economy and create
much-needed jobs," Quinn said in a statement. "Although we will
always remember the Dixie Mall as the location for one of the most
iconic scenes in 'The Blues Brothers' movie, it is time for this now
vacant building to be torn down to make way for more economic
development for the Harvey community."
Quinn set aside $4 million in federal disaster recovery funds for
the project in 2010. Work to clear the property had previously
stopped when Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan sued Harvey over
asbestos removal in 2005.
Ed Paesel, executive director of the South Suburban Mayors and
Managers Association, said the initial investment for the project is
"critical to Harvey's future."
The 39-acre site was recently condemned over concerns about its
structural stability and the presence of asbestos. The governor's
office said the cleanup and demolition project will support 42 jobs,
including 18 new full-time positions.
The mall, which opened in 1966, closed in 1979, then shortly
thereafter was featured in "The Blues Brothers."
[Associated
Press]
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