Big Plans Coming to Sterling Heights’ Old Mall Spot

Sterling Heights is pushing forward with a huge plan to turn the old Lakeside Mall into a new community hub. The city wants to spend $270 million over 30 years to fix up the area, calling it a "brownfield" project. Brownfields are places that might have pollution issues, making them tricky to redevelop. The city believes this plan will help clean up the land and bring new life to the spot. Two big dates stand out—May 5 and June 23. On May 5, the city council will vote on the plan. Then, on May 9, they’ll send it to the state for approval. If everything goes through, demolition could start as early as May 5, clearing the way for a new development called Lakeside Town Center. But not everyone is excited—some worry about how this will affect nearby areas.The project has two parts. The first is the big $270 million plan to rebuild inside the old mall property. The second is a separate plan to improve the streets and sidewalks around the site, which will be discussed on June 19. The city says these are separate, but they’ll both shape the future of the area. Work won’t start until late 2026 or early 2027, giving the city time to get everything approved. The first phase could take five years, meaning the new shops and homes won’t open anytime soon. That leaves residents wondering when they’ll actually see changes.