The city of Trotwood announced Monday that they have signed on a developer to get the project moving at the site of the Salem Mall.

People in Trotwood have seen the Salem Mall fall from a successful neighborhood center of business to a collection of closed up stores. Now, the city has a plan to redevelop not just the mall, but the entire area.

The mall was built in 1966 and has been vacant for some time. The city of Trotwood recently bought the mall in hopes of making it into something profitable.

City officials said much of the mall will be torn down and rebuilt as the Trotwood Town Center. They are thinking about a collection of smaller buildings with retail shops, restaurants and even a new city hall.

The project will be run by a Chicago-based development company that has plenty of experience working and remodeling urban retail centers back into shape.

Related Stories: October 7, 2004: SOLD: City Of Trotwood New Owner Of Salem Mall July 19, 2004: Trotwood Holds Community Meeting About Salem Mall July 7, 2004: City Of Trotwood Considers Salem Mall Purchase November 4, 2003: Redevelopment Plan Announced For Salem Mall Site