Washington Square Mall Redevelopment Study Raises Concerns for East Side Businesses

City leaders launch 90-day pre-development study, but some mall tenants worry about mixed messages and poor communication

Feb. 5, 2026 at 3:55am

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A major redevelopment study is about to begin for Washington Square Mall on Indianapolis' east side, as city leaders insist the mall is neither sold nor closing. The 90-day pre-development study will examine infrastructure, traffic, and transit while gathering community input, but some current mall business owners say mixed messages and poor communication are already scaring customers away and hurting sales.

Why it matters

The redevelopment of Washington Square Mall could have significant impacts on the surrounding east side businesses and community. While city leaders aim to gather input, the lack of clear communication has already caused concern among existing mall tenants who fear the study could lead to disruptions or changes that negatively affect their operations.

The details

The 90-day pre-development study will look at infrastructure, traffic, and transit around Washington Square Mall, while also gathering community feedback. However, some current mall business owners say they have received mixed messages from city officials and feel there has been poor communication, which is already scaring away customers and hurting their sales.

  • The 90-day pre-development study is about to begin.

The players

Washington Square Mall

A major shopping mall located on the east side of Indianapolis.

Indianapolis City Leaders

City officials overseeing the redevelopment study of Washington Square Mall.

East Side Business Owners

Owners of businesses located within or around Washington Square Mall who are concerned about the potential impacts of the redevelopment study.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

The redevelopment study of Washington Square Mall highlights the delicate balance city leaders must strike between revitalizing aging retail spaces and supporting the existing businesses and community that rely on them. Clear communication and inclusive planning will be crucial to ensuring the study's outcomes benefit the entire east side neighborhood.