The Moreno Valley Mall could be one step closer to reopening after the city said it addressed almost all the code violations.
It’s been nearly two weeks since the fire marshal closed one of the biggest shopping centers in the Inland Empire, forcing retailers to stop working suddenly. Nine violations were issued for the mall after a fire inspection report noted its sprinkler and smoke system, as well as a backup generator, needed repairs.
More than 130 vendors operate inside the store, employing hundreds of people, according to mall management. The sudden closure stressed vendors, who’ve had to brainstorm how to stay afloat.
“I house 20 staff members, including my mom and daughter, and it has been a strain,” said Sheena McGill, a vendor at the mall.
According to McGill, the mall’s owner paused rent for vendors in the meantime.
On Tuesday, crews were seen addressing repairs to the smoke and fire alarm system. McGill said the latest inspection of the mall seemed like a step toward victory.
“Every day at 1 p.m., the city sends out a fleet of inspectors to see our progress,” she said. “Yesterday was a win for us. They marked off the majority of the nine corrections, except for one.”
The city of Moreno Valley has provided some updates online, but declined interviews regarding the closure or details about the code violations.
“They should have been up to date with that,” said Stephanie Ortega, who’s been a customer at the mall. “If they know this mall has businesses in here and now so many people are out of work, what are they going to do?”
The city so far has not said if Tuesday’s inspection passed, nor specified when the mall could reopen.
Allison Craig is a passionate sports writer and analyst with a deep love for game strategies, player performances, and the latest trends in the sports world. With years of experience covering football, basketball, tennis, and more, she delivers insightful analysis and engaging content for sports enthusiasts.
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