NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) -
After most tenants were told to be out of Hickory Hollow Mall by July 1, just a few stores remained open. But there are new signs of life that have nothing to do with shopping.
One might say Hickory Hollow Mall is no longer a mall, but a big vacant building for the most part. However, sounds of progress are coming from the old Dillard's location, where a new school may bring new life to the struggling area.
"What we feel is we're now, I guess, the first flower in that whole area," said Mary Cross, Nashville State's Vice President of Finance.
In a matter of four months, and costing $4 million, the old department store has been transformed into a satellite campus for Nashville State. Crews are putting final touches on the classrooms, labs and a lobby, for the roughly 800 students who start class here on Aug. 25.
"It is very modern type classrooms and set up for the students," Cross said. "We have a nice student lounge and a bookstore."
Even with the transformation in the Dillard's building, some still have questions about how soon people can see construction start in the rest of the mall.
Late last year, Mayor Karl Dean announced plans as part of capital spending to add a library, regional community center and green space for a park at Hickory Hallow.
On Thursday, the mayor's office told us the project is currently in the design phase and they expect construction to start in three months with a Target opening set for December of next year.
"There's still plenty of room here and good to see they're still going to utilize the space," said Antioch resident, Carl Johnson.
Along with Nashville State, Metro schools will also have dozens of students in the old Dillard's building as part of it's academy at Hickory Hollow.
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