After years of false starts and empty parking lots, Elyria’s long‑troubled Midway Mall is finally on track to get a new owner. Industrial Realty Group is set to buy the property from the Lorain County Port Authority for $15.8 million, Elyria Mayor Kevin Brubaker said Thursday. The port authority board voted unanimously to approve a purchase agreement, and officials say the sale could take up to four months to close as the buyer works to reposition the site for mixed retail and commercial uses.
According to News 5 Cleveland, Brubaker confirmed both the $15.8 million price tag and the unanimous board vote, crediting IRG’s redevelopment track record as a reason for local optimism. The outlet reported that IRG’s stated plan focuses on a mixed‑use retail and commercial redevelopment of the sprawling site.
How We Got Here
This is not the first time a developer has tried to revive Midway Mall. Last year, Industrial Commercial Properties LLC walked away from a planned $17 million purchase after an extended due diligence period, abruptly halting momentum and throwing redevelopment plans back into limbo. The Chronicle‑Telegram reported on the collapse of that agreement and the Port Authority’s pledge at the time to keep searching for a viable buyer.
What’s In The Deal And Timeline
Mayor Brubaker has told local officials that closing could take up to four months, cautioning that the deal still has several hoops to clear. He has pointed to IRG’s experience with large, complex redevelopments as a reason for cautious optimism, according to News 5 Cleveland. The seller - the Lorain County Port Authority - took title to the roughly 57.86‑acre property in 2023, and IRG will now step into a process that involves regulatory approvals, negotiations, and the prospect of public incentives.
Local Planning And Hurdles
The Port Authority’s formal request for proposals lays out surveys and environmental work already completed at the site, along with a limited asbestos survey that any buyer will be expected to address. The Lorain County RFP and a City of Elyria press release both note that officials have already approved zoning changes aimed at making light‑industrial or commercial conversions easier. City of Elyria leaders say the zoning overlay is designed to speed up reuse of the site and help attract new investment.
What’s Next For The Site
Port Authority leaders say they remain committed to seeing Midway Mall redeveloped while the parties work through closing conditions and environmental remediation, officials told Cleveland 19/WOIO. Early steps are expected to include environmental abatement and negotiating any incentive packages that might help push the project over the finish line. Neighbors, who have watched previous deals stall out, are voicing hope that this one delivers jobs and activity instead of more empty promises. The Chronicle‑Telegram has detailed the prior collapse and community reaction surrounding the mall’s long, bumpy road to renewal.
