Redevelopment plans moving forward for Kinston mall despite being listed for sale

A struggling shopping mall in Eastern Carolina says it is moving forward with redevelopment plans, even though it's on the market for sale.

General manager Michael Ingalls told WITN that plans for Kinston's Vernon Park Mall call for it to be turned into a sportsplex, with a trampoline center, recreational center and flagship hotel. Price tag for the improvements would be $25 million.

Just last week, Eastern Carolinas Commercial Real Estate of Wilmington listed the 623,000 square foot mall for sale at $9.5 million.

Ingalls explained that the mall property is always for sale, and they brought in the brokers to keep their options open.

Dunn & Dalton, a Kinston architectural firm, has been working for the past year on plans to redevelop the property. The final plans came in February 1st, according to Ingalls.

The mall, one of the first built in Eastern Carolina, has struggled over the past several years to keep tenants.

Ingalls says the plans call for Belk and several other retail spaces to stay on the property.

Vernon Park Mall Holding Corporation of Flushing, NY is the current owner.

A struggling shopping mall in Eastern Carolina is up for sale.

Kinston's Vernon Park Mall is now listed for sale by Eastern Carolinas Commercial Real Estate of Wilmington.

The mall, at the corner of West Vernon Avenue and Hardee Road, was one of the first enclosed shopping malls in Eastern Carolina.

In recent years, Vernon Park has been steadily losing tenants such as JC Penney, Sears and Goody's. The only major store still open in the 623,000 square foot mall is Belk.

Vernon Park Mall Holding Corporation of Flushing, NY is the current owner.

The real estate company says the 34 acre site is an excellent redevelopment opportunity for the right user.

It's says the price tag for the mall is $9.5 million.