DANVILLE — Mayor Rickey Williams Jr. says the interior stores of the Village Mall are closed because of safety issues concerning the roof following torrential downpours.
“We became very concerned about the safety of our citizens and others who might be going in there,” Williams said. “Our entire inspection team from three different divisions went there, and they found that it was unsafe for people to be inside the building, so we got them to voluntarily agree to close it down.”
Williams said his team became aware of some disturbing videos showing the situation on Facebook.
“There were places where it literally looked like a waterfall was coming into the mall,” Williams said. “The under‑decking of the roof has gotten wet too, and it started to cause mold in various places — you can smell it as you walk into the building.”
And because of the damage, Williams said they had no choice but to close for safety reasons.
“With all that water coming in across all of the wiring that’s run throughout the building, you flip the wrong switch, and literally you have a huge electrical fire. Our first goal is to keep our citizens as safe as possible, and that’s what we’re going to do,’’ he said.
Williams says the mall will stay closed until it is safe to open.
“Until they fix this roof problem, they will not be able to reopen,” Williams said.
“I do believe that Mrs. Grace Wren, who owns the interior mall, I believe she’s trying to do the right thing for the people of Danville,” Williams added, not blaming the owner for the situation. “The problem is that the issues with the roof started while they were finalizing the acquisition. So all the insurance was still in the old owner’s name, and so right now, basically, she’s had to enter litigation to get a resolution.”
Williams said the stores with outside entrances are still open, like Ross Dress for Less, Pet Supplies Plus, Slumberland, and Shoe Sensation.
So, Williams says it is important patrons know those stores are open for the community.
“The big thing is just reminding everyone that it’s imperative that we continue to support the mall, the businesses that are existing,” Williams added.
As far as other flooding situations — like City Hall —Williams says it is wrapping up and they are now in the ‘remediation’ process after water damage to some drywall and a few ceiling tiles.
“Thank the Lord, everything was salvaged and safe, except for some ceiling tiles and carpet, of course, and a little drywall here or there,” he said.
Ellsworth Park was also hit with severe flooding from the recent rains.
“We are missing 11 picnic tables [that] got carried away by floodwater. So right now the big push is just trying to get it cleaned up and ready for our big fall festival coming up in a couple of weeks,” Williams said.
However, the mayor says the park should be dry and ready for the fall festival.
“My people are telling me that they don’t foresee any circumstance where we wouldn’t be able to do it there. But God forbid we couldn’t; we would probably pivot to Lincoln (Park) or somewhere else.”