"Moving forward." That's the motto coming out of Saginaw County's Buena Vista Township.
The abandoned Fort Saginaw Mall at M-46 and Outer Drive has been demolished and the public and township officials are looking forward to redeveloping the site.
Ever since the last business, K-Mart, moved out of the Fort Saginaw Mall complex, the site had been wasting away.
Filled with crime, litter, and negativity, township leaders went through the process of purchasing the property and tearing down the threatening and embarrassing eyesore.
Tuesday, local leaders tore off the old facade and touted the new town center.
BV Police Chief Brian Booker says "Anything that comes to BV is a plus, new businesses and retail. We're had some negative press lately and we need positive things happening and this is one of them."
Residents say, whatever goes into the site needs to meet the needs of the community.
Resident Steve Heater says, "I would like to see it go into retail and things that everyone in the township can use. We need a hardware store, we have enough drug stores, and we need shopping here."
Wver the last 13 months, the township has been able to secure around $2 million in grant money. Now, it's just waiting for businesses to partner with to further develop the site.
BV DDA Chairman James Graham says, "We're certainly looking for something that brings a gateway to Saginaw County."
The township has already contacted major retailers like Meijer and Walmart. However, no deals have been inked.
Township leaders say, this spring and early summer you'll start seeing some excavation, street-scaping, and curbing along the development.
