Second time's a charm? Treasurer confirms Southern Park Mall owners submit new partial tax payment

After several delinquent months and a failed wire transfer due to insufficient funds, the new owners of the Southern Park Mall have once again attempted to make a partial payment on what they owe the county. 

Mahoning county's first half real estate taxes were due to the county treasurer in March, but Kohan Retail Investments let a nearly half million dollar tax bill go delinquent for months before finally making a payment on June 13. However, that payment bounced, meaning the mall remained delinquent until this past weekend. 

Mahoning county treasurer Dan Yemma tells 21 News a wire transfer of approximately $440,000 over the weekend from Kohan. That would cover the taxes and penalties on the largest two of the mall's seven parcels. 

However, Yemma points out that if the payment were to be returned again, the county would not likely be notified by the bank for a few days, but he's hopeful that does not happen. 

21 News has reached out to Kohan Retail Investments CEO Mike Kohan on Monday morning, but he has not returned calls. When reached on Friday, Kohan said he would more to say Monday. 

Boardman township and Mahoning county elected officials have expressed frustration since Kohan took over the mall over lack of communication, even as they benefit from tax incentives and have a track record in other parts of the country of unpaid bills and mall closures. 

Township administrator Jason Loree told 21 News last week the township had already delayed making some purchases of police cruisers out of concern over the mall's unpaid taxes. 

In August, another $510,284.73 will also come due for the second half of the year. 

21 News will update this story if and when we hear back from Kohan.