Following a significant water pipe burst earlier this week, Oakland Mall in Troy is gearing up to reopen its doors to the public—albeit partially—today at 11 a.m. In a logistical move after the apparent pipe failure last Wednesday, the mall had been closed to manage the flooding that inundated several concourses, leading to an immediate evacuation for safety reasons, as noted by Audacy.
With the mall featuring 107 tenants according to its website, the closure has undoubtedly affected commercial activities, and as of now, approximately 20 businesses—primarily in the east wing, the most adversely flushed by the flooding—are unable to resume operations, these details according to Jennifer L. Foster, a spokesperson for the mall, in a statement obtained by The Detroit News. All other stores with external entrances kept serving customers while indoor spaces dried out and underwent safety inspections.
Despite the reopening, shoppers will find a portion of the mall barricaded, a necessary measure as cleanup and repairs continue specifically in the east corridor where some of the stores like Children's Place and Foot Locker among others remain shuttered following the incident, clarified by mall officials in statements to CBS Detroit. This reopening marks a partial return to normalcy, with the caveat that a select number of retailers may entertain the possibility of relocating in the fallout of the damages sustained.
Officials have confirmed that the areas reopening meet safety and occupancy standards, based on a full assessment by ServPro, as per a release from Oakland Mall cited by CBS Detroit. Meanwhile, the Sunday farmers market planned for this weekend has been postponed. A new date will be announced as the mall continues to recover from the incident.
