Cary town leaders studying revitalization request for South Hills Mall

CARY, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Cary Town Council has approved a developer's request to turn the South Hills Mall into a Municipal Service District.

South Hills Shopping Center is Cary's oldest mall. It's home to Grand Asia Market and the wildly popular Baker's Dozen Donuts, which often sells out of the sugary treats by noon.

The South Hills Barber Shop opened here in 1968.

"A kazillion years ago," said South Hills Barber Shop Manager Tony Donofrio.

He says staff is preparing to relocate to another store in Downtown Cary once the mixed-use redevelopment project starts to actually take shape.

"They knew it was coming. It wasn't like it was dropped out of the sky," said Donofrio.

Eleven properties, totaling 44 acres, have been rezoned to make way for the refresh.

Cary is starting to study what it will cost to turn the area into a Municipal Service District.

If district eventually gets approved by the town council, there be public hearings and the residents might see an additional tax by July of 2027.

"There's over 60 of these districts in North Carolina," said Cary Assistant Town Manager Scot Berry. "This is something that is done in places that do want some other services, so I think it's a normal practice for cities to look at it."

Butch Mills grew up one mile away from South Hills. He remembers the mall being built and would like to see some changes.

"(We) would love the facility," said Mills. "If we have to pay, we'll pay."

ABC11 reached out to the developer to speak about the mixed-used development project. We have not heard back.

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