After 40 years, Alabama's largest mall is costing Hoover millions: New mayor promises a revival is coming
- Birmingham Real-Time News (https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/)
- Updated: Jan. 23, 2026, 7:03 a.m.
- Published: Jan. 23, 2026, 7:00 a.m.
By
- Alaina Bookman | abookman@al.com (https://www.al.com/staff/abookman/)
Hoover Mayor Nick Derzis has vowed to revitalize the city's economic development, starting with the Riverchase Galleria and Patton Creek Shopping Center. In his State of the City Address, Derzis emphasized the need for Hoover to take a leading role in the Birmingham metro area, citing the city's stagnation over the years.
Derzis, a former Hoover Police Department officer, reminisced about the Galleria's heyday, when it was the area's largest attraction, bustling with business. The Galleria, which opened in 1986, boasts 1.2 million square feet of retail space, a 15-story hotel, and a 17-story office tower, making it the state's largest mall and once one of the largest in the Southeast.
However, the Galleria has faced challenges in recent years, with a perception of unsafety stemming from two tragic incidents: the 2018 shooting that took the life of 21-year-old Emantic F. 'EJ' Bradford, Jr., and a 2020 shootout that resulted in the death of 8-year-old Royta Giles Jr. These events have led to a 33% drop in visitation since 2019, from 6.3 million to 4.2 million in 2024, and a 41% decline in sales tax revenue since 2007.
The Galleria's decline has cost the city $9 million annually in revenue. The situation is mirrored at Patton Creek, an open-air shopping center that is almost half the age of the Galleria but has several empty storefronts. Derzis described the decline as unacceptable and expressed the city's willingness to partner with stakeholders to revitalize both shopping centers.
Despite the vision for revival, clear plans remain elusive. Derzis acknowledged the challenge of outlining specific plans until developers and owners are involved in the discussions. He remains optimistic, emphasizing the potential for the Galleria and Patton Creek to become economic drivers in the future.
