City View Center was a power‑center retail development located in Garfield Heights, Ohio, a suburb east of Cleveland. Constructed on a former landfill site, the center opened in August 2006 after two years of construction. Developed by John McGill, the complex was intended to serve as a regional shopping destination and originally featured anchor tenants such as Walmart, Giant Eagle, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Bed Bath & Beyond, alongside a variety of smaller retailers and dining establishments.
Structural and Environmental Issues
Soon after opening, the site experienced significant structural problems attributed to the underlying landfill. Soil liquefaction and concerns about unvented methane gas led to damage of several buildings. These issues prompted Walmart to announce the immediate closure of its store in September 2008, citing safety concerns. Subsequent anchor tenants—including PetSmart, Circuit City, Bed Bath & Beyond, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and others—also closed, contributing to the center’s rapid decline and its classification as a “dead mall.”
Unrealized Expansion
A second phase of development, which would have added The Home Depot, Panera Bread, Chick‑fil‑A, and Buffalo Wild Wings, was never built, as retailers were deterred by the ongoing problems at the original phase.
Redevelopment and Current Use
Following a series of ownership changes and a period of receivership, the property was acquired by Industrial Commercial Properties, LLC in 2020. A redevelopment plan converted the former retail complex into a mixed‑use business park, now known as Highland Park. By 2021 the redevelopment was completed, retaining some original tenants such as Giant Eagle and Applebee’s, while adding new occupants including Goodwill Industries (opened 2022) and a range of light‑industrial, office, and service businesses. As of 2026, Giant Eagle remains the sole original anchor store.
Legacy
City View Center is frequently cited as an example of a retail development hampered by site‑selection challenges, environmental hazards, and the broader “dead‑mall” phenomenon affecting many large‑scale shopping centers in the United States.
