Finally what’s left of the former Valley View Mall is being demolished

The long-awaited demolition of the former Valley View shopping center has finally come to pass. Clearing space in far North Dallas is giving way to a $4 billion mixed-use development that includes office towers, luxury hotels, apartment buildings, a movie theater, retail and green space.

“I’m very excited to see this,” said Dallas City Council member Janey Schultz of District 11.

For more than a decade, there have been delays and complications, as well as an ongoing feud between the developer and the city council.

Over the years, an eyesore has seen a criminal element. There were two fires. As a result of the latest fire this week, two firefighters were injured.

“In fact, we were able to move forward because of the literally mortal danger that our public safety officers, our firefighters, were in because of the fires that were taking place,” Schultz said.

Schultz and the developer still disagree on why it took so long.

“She asked us to demolish part of the mall, what you see behind you yesterday, so she could claim that she forced the developers to demolish the mall, when in fact the mall was supposed to be demolished today anyway,” the developer said. Scott Beck. “We started this process ten months ago.”

Beck of Beck Ventures says his development team was tired of waiting for the city to build the required sewer line for the area, so they paid off the $7 million bill to finally move forward with final approval on Thursday.

Beck says that with a project that promises to compete with Plano and Frisco, other cities have been much better partners.

“Without a partnership, everything just takes longer,” Beck said. “Look, our company is known for its long legacy projects. Again, we will not be intimidated by the fact that this site does not have a world-class project.

Schultz disagrees. “Delays and issues are 100% the result of a lack of initiative on the part of the developer,” said Schultz.

Both sides agree that this is the end, but don’t expect a big bang on the court.

“No, there will be no explosion, no fireworks for demolition teams,” Beck said. Over the next few months, crews will continue to demolish the mall and scrap the steel.

You can also expect more fencing for what Beck Ventures is touting as the next “world-class project” for Dallas.