21 News has been the only news out following the potential sale of the Southern Park Mall to Kohan Retail Investments, a group who has a troubled financial history. 

On Wednesday, 21 News was told that tax incentives offered to the mall's current owner for redevelopment would be transferred to Kohan. This has left some valley leaders concerned.

Carol Rimedio-Righetti, Mahoning County Commissioner is in disbelief that tax incentives are being transferred to a new owner of the Southern Park Mall without going through the commissioners.

“And for them to come in now, and say they are going to sell it, and they want to sell everything that we gave Washington Prime to this new company Kohan without even meeting with us…” said Rimedio-Righetti.

Rimedio-Righetti feels if the new owner does not make investments in the mall, the tax incentives will only end up hurting the township. 

“We could see what their vision is for Mahoning county and our shopping. Because as goes the mall, we lose that tax base in Boardman Township, as well as the taxes that go back to Mahoning County,” said Rimedio-Righetti.

The Community Reinvestment Area agreement signed by the Mahoning County Commissioners in 2020 gives the owner of the mall a 15 year 100% real property tax exemption. 

The exemption can extend through 2038.

The incentives were originally offered with the promise that Washington Prime, the mall's current owner, would invest $30 million. Since then, several upgrades have been made, such as the Debartolo Commons. 

But now, Kohan could move in and still pay no property taxes, with no guarantees they'll continue to improve the mall. 

“I don't have any of that paperwork here. It was just given to us today. I don't know that they are allowed to transfer all those things to another owner. Those are things that legally Boardman Township as well as Mahoning County, would need to check on,” said Rimedio-Righetti.

Commissioners are planning to meet with the port authority, boardman township trustees, the Kohan Group and other township officials to discuss future plans with the mall. If they have plans to improve the mall, the contract could help with future development.

“We could see what their vision is for Mahoning County and our shopping. Because as goes the mall, lose that tax base in boardman township, as well as the taxes that go back to Mahoning County,” said Rimedio-Righetti.

Righetti said she doesn't know if the contract, which she and the other commissioners signed, has any provisions that could stop the transfer. It does include a clause that says the deal includes the owner "or prospective purchasers." 

21 news reached out to Kohan Retail Investment Group about the transfer, but did not get a response.