Palm Beach Mall demolition under way to make room for new designer outlet mall

Posted by Scott T. Smith / CBS12 News WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Demolition is officially under way at the Palm Beach Mall, with backhoes attacking the Sears building first, tearing it down to make way for a new designer outlet mall.

It's expected to be a major economic boost to the area.

The demolition kicked off at 10 a.m. They are using backhoes to knock down the walls and structures, and most of the rubble will be recycled.

The mayor was on site to kick off the demolition. they started with the old sears building, and are making their way across the property. The demo is expected to take about three months. The plan is tear the mall down except for jcpenney, and build a new outlet mall. For years, the old palm beach mall has been a staple in the community, and as the walls come crumbling down, so are the memories.

One woman watched the demolition with her children: "I remember all of it, I remember the whole thing. I remember nursing my children in the mall, too."

West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio said the change will benefit the region: "I look forward to the day our residents can benefit from the mall, and the promises it's going to deliver."

While CBS12 was shooting the demolition, hundreds bees starting swarming around our live truck, photographer and CBS12's aerial drone. We're thinking there may have been a nest that stirred up while they were tearing down the mall. FULL STORY/VIDEO

The new outlets will have about 100 stores, plus it's expected to create more than 1,500 jobs. The mayor also mentioned the new mall will bring in $1 million in property tax revenue.Palm Beach Mall demolition under way to make room for new designer outlet mall

The rest is here:
Palm Beach Mall demolition under way to make room for new designer outlet mall