AMC Plan Axed At Orland Square, Mayor Calls It 'COVID Casualty'

ORLAND PARK, IL — The planned AMC Theatres development that would have come to Orland Square Mall's former Sears location has fallen through, according to Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau. The mayor made the announcement at the regular Board of Trustees meeting Monday night, calling the theater a "COVID casualty."

At a 2018 Board of Trustees meeting, officials voted to approve Seritage Growth Properties' plan to redevelop the upper floor of the former Sears Department Store in Orland Square and construct what would have been a 10-screen AMC movie theater. The development would have also included a new retail concourse with a mix of retail and restaurant users.

The deal with Seritage and the village fell through after AMC announced its plans to increase authorized share capital by 25 million shares, which would take effect in 2022. This resulted in the company pulling out of 46,124 of the shares that were previously authorized, according to AMC CEO Adam Aron. The CEO said the new plans come in an effort to "best position AMC for a successful recovery from the pandemic."

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On Monday, Pekau said AMC's new strategy resulted in the deal falling through.

"It was halted because of COVID, and we lost this because of COVID — stuff happens," Pekau said. "We will go back to the drawing board and work with Seritage and Simon to reimagine that space, and they're both already working on that, so we'll keep you updated as developments arise."

Although the news pushes development of the former Sears location back, the mayor credits the AMC deal as the reason retailer Von Maur developed an Orland Square location. Pekau said it is likely that Von Maur wouldn't have come to Orland Square if AMC didn't already have a deal on site.

In an effort to remain positive, the mayor said the interior construction of the site that had already been started took care of an asbestos problem. Pekau added that new plans won't be an issue, as there is no half built theater on site, or much wasted money on the project.

"We knew it was a risk," Pekau said. "Everyone's seeing what's happening with movie theaters. So unfortunately it is a COVID casualty."

What do you think should take the former Sears location in Orland Square Mall? Let Patch know below.

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