The city of Pine Bluff is moving toward securing and possibly tearing down the former Pines Mall after another intentionally set fire there. Mayor Vivian Flowers laid out the plan Monday, Sept. 28, at an emergency special meeting. Only two council members, Glen Brown Jr. and Steven Mays Sr., attended, so there was no quorum and no official action could be taken. Flowers went ahead to present the information publicly.
Condemnation. The city’s code enforcement department began condemnation in August and sent notices to the owners. The site has several owners, including separate owners of the mall corridor and the former Sears, JCPenney and Walmart sections. Flowers said two owners have responded in some way. She said the process could end in demolition toward the end of the year or by January unless the owners tear the buildings down themselves.
Next steps. The city plans to hire a local architect for an engineering assessment of safety hazards, environmental concerns, structural condition, fire damage and the effect a demolition could have on neighboring buildings. It also wants an independent appraisal before negotiating with owners. Flowers said one owner has listed the property for $8 million with images that do not show the fire damage, vandalism and decay described at the meeting. The third step is securing the building to keep people out.
The fire. Fire Chief Randy Compton said the Sept. 24 fire was the third at the property and the second this year, after one in March. With no electricity or other ignition source inside, he said, the fire was set by a person. Crews worked from about 10 p.m. Thursday until 5 p.m. Friday and returned Monday to material still burning in the former Stage building. Compton has declared the building a danger to the city. Police Chief Shawn Davis said officers and sheriff’s deputies searched it Monday and found no one but did find furniture and makeshift beds, signs that people have been staying inside. He described broken glass, standing water, unstable sections and places where the roof is open to the sky, and said he does not think the structure could realistically be remodeled.
What’s next. Flowers said an ordinance that would waive competitive bidding for work needed to secure the unsafe parts of the mall will be on the council’s agenda next Monday. Some steps can be taken through the mayor’s office before then. A resident, Casey Doll, has started a petition to remove and restore the mall’s large fish sculpture, which survived the fire; the demolition timeline could put that effort on a deadline.
