New proposal to turn Summit Place Mall site in Waterford Twp. into travel sports complex

Waterford Township officials want to tear down old mall

WATERFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. – There's a new proposal for the decrepit Summit Place Mall, which has become Oakland County's biggest eyesore.

Waterford Township wants the owners to tear it down, but there are new hopes for a revival that could rival that of Downtown Detroit.

Potholes at the Summit Place Mall are so deep they could swallow someone whole, and the Waterford Township Police Department and the Waterford Township Fire Department aren't allowed inside the mall unless someone's life is in danger.

For years, neighbors howled about knocking down the old mall, which is falling apart inside and full of water in the basement.

Wanda Jones said it's not just the mall itself.

"All the way down Summit Drive is just terrible," Jones said.

S&D Capital fought every effort to tear the place down, hoping to find a buyer, and after years of trying it may have found one.

The Summit Place Mall could go from worst to first after an artist released a rendering of a site plan that would convert it into a $500,000 travel sports complex, with a hotel and a pet hotel.

Tony Bartalotta owns Imperial Car Wash, which sits across from Summit Place Mall and suffered after its decline. He's also on the township board and called the sports park plans mind-blowing.

While the township board wants the mall knocked down, they're asking for more time.


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Rod Meloni is an Emmy Award-winning Business Editor on Local 4 News and a Certified Financial Plannerâ„¢ Professional.

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.