Demolition of blighted buildings at Bloomington ‘s Southtown Shopping Center is underway.
Minneapolis -based Kraus-Anderson Realty & Development, which owns the shopping center, is demolishing the former Toys ‘R’ Us and Herberger’s to make way for redevelopment.
The vacant space being demolished began as Montgomery Wards when the shopping center debuted in 1963.
The demolition is expected to span approximately 12 weeks, wrapping up at the end of March.
In a statement, Jeff Hildahl, the company’s executive vice president, said the building will be demolished one piece at a time using excavators and will not involve any implosions.
“The former Herberger’s building is going, but the bulk of the shopping center will remain, and all those stores will be open during the entire demolition,” he stated. “The building served the community well for 63 years but the time has come to make room for the next greatest thing.”
A 2024 aerial image of the Southtown Shopping Center. Courtesy of Kraus-Anderson.