In 2001, Montgomery Ward closed with the chain's bankruptcy; shortly afterward, an attempt was made to convert the largely vacant mall to a telecommunications center.

But in 2001, a PricewaterhouseCoopers study found that underperforming and vacant malls, known as "greyfield" and "dead mall" estates, were an emerging problem.

In 2002, the vacant mall was converted to classrooms and a tech center for University of Texas at Brownsville.

The vacant mall and Building 19 spaces were gutted and reconfigured in 2005.

Community groups and local politicians have long complained that the Lefrak organization had made little effort to fill the vacant mall since Waldbaum's closed in 1994.

A tour of the ravaged eastern half of the city shows mile after mile of abandoned businesses and vacant malls.

The vacant mall was owned by Cafaro Company of Youngstown, Ohio long after its closure.

Then Simon finally sold the 40% vacant mall to North Star Port Authority.

Demolition of the vacant mall began in February 2009, and concluded in August of the same year.

Wal-Mart proposed building a store on the site of the vacant mall in 2007.