Residents Seek Revitalization Of Security Square Mall

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — Built in 1972, the Security Square Mall has lost several major retailers and eateries, which concerns area residents. But a new task force created by the Randallstown NAACP intends to change that.

While the mall has more than 100 stores and restaurants, neighbors are concerned about the mall's struggle to attract shoppers.

“We’ve always had people wanting this mall property to be much better,” Benjamin Bard, the mall’s general manager for owner Security Square Holding LLC, told the Baltimore Sun. “Everybody does. I mean, nobody wants it to be nicer than I do. "

In 2017, developer David S. Brown Enterprises addressed residents at a community meeting about possibly turning the mall into a mixed-use center with a hotel, additional retail outlets, offices and residences. But the plans went nowhere.

A nondemoninational church owns 160,000 square feet of the mall for its outreach, worship and education center. Security Wards LLC, Sears and Macy's also own a few pieces of the mall along with Security Square Holding, too. Bard said the biggest struggle is to get everyone on the same page for the future of the property.

“There are just many little issues where one owner is not happy with what we’re doing,” Bard said.

Danielle Singley chairs the Randallstown NAACP task force and seeks clarity for what's been holding up the mall's redevelopment.

“They’re not accessible to us, to the community. But we know that the government has access to them," Single said.

Sean Naron, spokesperson for Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr., said in an email to the Baltimore Sun that the county is working alongside community members to plan for the mall’s long-term success.

“The county is actively renewing our investment at Security Square, opening a new state-of-the-art health center in partnership with Set the Captives Free and affirming our commitment to the revitalization of the site,” Naron wrote.

Monday, the task force hosted a community walk-around at the mall, which drew more than 100 people in order to raise awareness about the mall's current condition.

“We wanted to make sure everyone who has a key part here saw it,” Singley said. “So no one can use the excuse that ‘you didn’t know, you didn’t see it.’ We’re showing it to you. Now what are you going to do?”

Read more at the Baltimore Sun