Now that Gwinnett County has purchased the struggling Gwinnett Place Mall, in an effort to revitalize the area, help could be coming from the federal government.

Georgia Seventh District U.S. Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux is introducing “The Revitalization of Shopping Centers Act of 2021” to help communities with underutilized malls like Gwinnett Place.

Bourdeaux cites analysts’ predictions that a quarter of the 1,200 shopping centers in the country will close in the next three to five years.

The legislation would provide for $50 million in grant money to communities like Gwinnett to help in the revitalization process, which could include turning them into a mixed-used development, office space, or housing.

Gwinnett spent $23 million earlier this year to purchase the mall, except for four anchor stores.

Commission Chair Nicole Love Hendrickson says the county is currently accepting proposals for a new vision for the property.

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