The Portage Redevelopment Commission plans to address a variety of issues at the Portage Mall, starting with the crumbling parking lot.

Redeveloping and improving the mall has been a priority of Mayor Austin Bonta since he took office last year.

“It’s either one day going to stick out as a sore thumb or a crown jewel,” he said. Bonta, obviously, would prefer the latter.

“We want to build our downtown, and we very much don’t want to ignore the buildings in the mall,” he said.

Redevelopment Director Dan Botich told the RDC Thursday the parking lot “does need some repair and tender loving care.”

The city has been meeting with property owners in the mall, individually and in groups, to address the parking lot. Complicating the issue is that the property on which the buildings sit extends

See Full Page