It was last summer that the Village Mall was purchased by investor Jimmy Virk. Yes, things have seemed quite slow. And yes, the mall seems to be getting even quieter. But Danville’s Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr says that behind the scenes it’s a different story. He mentioned two specific things being worked on. And yes, one of them does have something to do with movies.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: One of the hardest parts for me as mayor, is when you’re working on a project that you’re not at liberty to disclose yet. I can tell you that they are in the final stages of a lease with both Five Below and a theatre company. I’m not at liberty to state what the theatre company is. But if things go well and funding is finalized, I think that we could have a theatre yet this year.
(1st Picture) Mayor Williams says specialty discount store Five Below is one store that is being negotiated with by new Village Mall ownership, along with an unnamed movie theatre company. (2nd Picture) Williams pointed out that even a project like Sonic and Jimmy John’s on the northwest corner of Vermilion and Fairchild, where the city already owned the land, has taken over four years since first being mentioned.
Mayor Williams says things like this take a lot of time; even with the advantages Danville had on the northwest corner of Vermilion and Fairchild. Williams says talks with Jimmy John’s and Sonic actually began over four years ago.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: The city of Danville owned that property. So, it was already clear. There were no environmental issues. And look, we still aren’t open yet. Now, we’re getting close to being open. But I just want to remind people that even something seemingly simple like a fast food restaurant, where the city had control over nearly everything; even something like that took four years.
Mayor Williams says one thing the city did not have complete control over at Vermilion and Fairchild were enter and exit issues involving Route 1, where the Illinois Department of Transportation became involved.
