Fair Oaks Board to meet Monday to discuss future of mall

The city of Columbus and Columbus Regional Health now own the Fair Oaks Mall property. The city partnered with CRH and Heritage Fund: The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County to offer to purchase the more than 35 acre site for $5.9 million in December.

The city council created the non-profit group, Fair Oaks Community Development Corporation to handle the transaction and to manage of the site. On Friday, the Fair Oaks Community Development Corporation Finance and Facilities committees held a joint meeting at the mall. Mary Ferdon, the city’s director of administration, explains…

Brad Davis, chair of the Finance Committee, says that some action has already been taken. That includes the retention of Veritas Realty as property manager and Securitas being retained for security. As for mall tenants, Davis says that the mall added one new tenant in January.

Ferdon says the work of these committees in ongoing.

A third committee, called a Design Committee, has yet to be formed. That body will be charged with coming up with a plan on how to proceed with the property. City officials have long said that hopes for the site include an indoor sports complex and a CRH-run clinic of some kind.

Committee members met Friday in anticipation of the full board’s meeting at the mall on Monday. That’s set for 1:30 p.m. in the former J. Nicole store. You’re invited.