NORTH DECATUR, Ga. — Demolition of the last section of the North DeKalb Mall began on Wednesday.
The site will be redeveloped as Lulah Hills and become a 73-acre mixed-use destination including housing and shopping, according to real-estate developer Edens, who bought the property in 2019. Lulah Hills will include hundreds of apartments, a hotel and several businesses and restaurants.
Community members, leaders, developers and media braved the scorching weather and huddled under a tent to hear from various speakers and witness the first moments of what is being called "Demolition Day."
According to Herbert Ames, managing director of Edens, Wednesday marked the culmination of 20 years of work.
"Today is the start of that new beginning so many of you worked so hard for," Ames said.
Ames briefly discussed the mall's pioneering history and high hopes for the future. He also highlighted several key attendees, such as local politicians and project leaders.
Ames was followed by DeKalb County District 2 Commissioner Michelle Long Spears, who spoke on how the project's vision was rooted in the community's desires and the benefits of the coming mixed-use space. She was followed by Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry, who also spoke of the benefits.
"The impacts of this development, because it is such a green development, I believe will not only improve the community at large, but the environmental attributes and our overall environment here in DeKalb County," Terry said.
Decide DeKalb Development Authority was cited as a contributor in decision-making to help bring the project to fruition. Its President, Dorian DeBarr, spoke on behalf of the group. He celebrated the mall's teardown and redevelopment, which was the first of its kind in metro Atlanta, and the investment in county infrastructure.
Edens CEO Jodie McLean was next to the podium. She invited the whole Edens team to celebrate their work on the project.
Finally, outgoing DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond addressed attendees.
"Today, we celebrate this victory because of the commitments, the investments that have been made by people who are here, and hundreds of thousands of others who are not," Thurmond said. "This county has been reborn, revitalized, reenergized."
Thurmond emphasized growth in the community represented by the Lulah Hills project and acknowledged economic growth; the project represents a $270 million investment in infrastructure.
The press conference concluded with the speakers all donning baseball caps and swinging sledgehammers into the ground. The crowd then shifted to watch as crews made the first dents into the soon-to-be-gone building, knocking holes into walls and removing some ceilings.
Edens currently operates other popular retail districts in the metro area, including Toco Hills, Buckhead Market Place, Andrews Square and Merchants Walk.
You can re-watch Wednesday's full press conference below: