Developer Offers Plans to Redevelop Brooklyn Center Sears Site

A developer has plans to turn the former Sears building into a business park.

The Sears store closed in 2018 and was the last remaining business from the former Brookdale Mall. Since then, there have been problems with the property that have ranged from break-ins to water main breaks to people dumping trash. City staff told the council in Monday night’s meeting that a staff person checks on the building daily.

Scannell Properties wants to redevelop the property into two buildings, one that is 120,000 square feet and another that is 110,000 square feet. The buildings would be rezoned for light industrial and office use. The developer says if everything is approved, construction could begin by the end of the year. 

The Brooklyn Center Sears Department Store and Auto Center was the only remnant of Brookdale Mall. It opened in the 1960s and closed in 2018.

The Brooklyn Center City Council must still approve the rezoning. The council tabled the issue at Monday night’s meeting.

Brooklyn Center