STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – Nearly two years after Lakeside Mall closed its doors, Sterling Heights is one step closer to redeveloping the 100-acre site into a mixed-use development -- and the funding to make it happen just fell into place.
This week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Strategic Fund Board approved a $270,678,999 Transformational Brownfield Plan to support redevelopment of the former mall site.
$1B project takes shape
The plan calls for approximately 1,545 residential units across nine multifamily buildings, 154,007 square feet of new retail space, a central community park, green space and a mix of parking options. When complete, the project is estimated to generate more than $621 million in total capital investment.
“In order to get a billion-dollar investment in a community, it’s going to require some incentives at the local level and at the state level and that’s taken years,” said Sterling Heights City Manager Mark Vanderpool. “It’s taken about three years just to get through that process.”
Vanderpool says the city’s vision for the project actually began more than a decade ago, making this approval a long time coming.
“We wanted to control our destiny. We wanted something that would be everlasting and last for generations. That’s why we’ve been so focused on this master plan and hard at work. To see it start to come to life is super exciting,” Vanderpool said.
What comes next
The project, led by Miami-based developer Lionheart Capital through its subsidiary Lakeside OOTB Ventures, LLC, will move forward in phases.
Demolition of the 1.5 million-square-foot structure is projected to begin in early 2027.
Before construction can begin, the city must first build out new infrastructure -- roads, sidewalks, paths, utilities and sewer systems. The City of Sterling Heights also intends to issue approximately $27.6 million in bonds to help cover those infrastructure costs.
Community reaction
For many residents, the memories tied to Lakeside Mall run deep.
Kevin Kmiec, who lives in Clinton Township, was there to witness both ends of the mall’s story -- when it opened and closed.
“I remember going there. I remember going here. I remember a good deal over there,” Kmiec said.
Not everyone is eager to see the mall go. Renee Torres, who lives in Shelby Township, says she wants her mall back.
“I think in the long run, people are going to miss their malls,” Torres said.
But Kmiec says he’s optimistic about what’s ahead.
“It’s going to really look nice when it’s over,” he said.
On social media, residents had mixed reactions. Some were sad to see the shopping destination go, while others were excited about what a walkable downtown could mean for the community.
Regional impact
City and state leaders are calling this a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
“Lakeside Town Center is one of the most transformational projects in Sterling Heights’ history, and really for the entire region,” said Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor. “This is the kind of once-in-a-generation investment that creates thousands of jobs, drives major economic activity and turns a former retail site into a vibrant mixed-use, walkable destination for living, working, shopping and gathering.”