JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 Regency Square Mall\u2019s food court is now reduced to debris as demolition begins on the 47\u2011acre property. Jacksonville leaders say the work marks the start of a new era for a mall many residents grew up visiting.<\/p>\n
Under the rubble are memories for people like Jacksonville resident Myia McLaughlin.<\/p>\n
\u201cMom and pop would give us money. We would go out, go to Coastal Cookie, ride the train around the mall, get uniforms,\u201d McLaughlin said.<\/p>\n
She says watching the demolition begin was emotional.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was just kind of emotional to see it go. Hopefully they do something different with it. Give Jacksonville some more life, give the youth something else to do around here,\u201d McLaughlin said.<\/p>\n
Jacksonville District 1 City Councilman Ken Amaro says he has been in contact with developers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe demolition should take about six to eight months, and it might be the second quarter of twenty-seven before we start seeing things come out,\u201d Amaro said.<\/p>\n
Blackwater Development bought the property for 19.1 million dollars. Much of the interior will become the Nexus at Regency, a mixed\u2011use development with apartments, retail, restaurants, offices and new internal streets.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, over the years it went into demise and hopefully this is the big comeback that we\u2019ve all been waiting on,\u201d Amaro said.<\/p>\n
McLaughlin says she hopes the redevelopment brings excitement back to the area.<\/p>\n
\u201cGive it life again,\u201d McLaughlin said.<\/p>\n
Amaro says Impact Church, which is connected to the mall and operates a school, will remain because the building is its property.<\/p>\n
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