Nov. 23 -- GRAND FORKS -- Grand Forks' city administrator says the city hopes to see a redevelopment of Columbia Mall into a mixed-use space, with additional retail and other options that would benefit the community.

"That mall area is really prime for redevelopment," Todd Feland told the Herald. "It's really gone backwards."

A foreclosed portion of the mall, formerly occupied by Macy's, was listed for sale on Dakota Commercial's website on Oct. 20. The property, located at 2800 S. Columbia Rd., is 99,146 square feet and currently has a $1.9 million price tag.

The foreclosure occurred last November as a resolution in the civil case

between First International Bank and Trust and the property's former owners.

A January auction brought forth no bids,

so the bank became the official owner of the property.

The former Macy's is not the only vacancy in the mall.

"We're hoping private partners can come forward and really redevelop it into a modern shopping district that's more mixed use, like downtown," Feland said. "It would be our hope, and we know that it's been successful that way in other malls that we have."

He envisions retail spaces, as well as service industries, potential housing like apartments and more variety overall.

The city is more than willing to offer support for the endeavor, whether through planning and zoning, infrastructure development or something else, Feland said.

"We stand ready to partner with private developers to help move that area of our community forward," he said.

The Herald attempted to contact Dakota Commercial to see whether there has been any interest in the foreclosed property, but messages were not returned.