A bill regarding the preparation of a feasibility study for repurposing the South County Center mall into a sports complex and event center was introduced at the St. Louis County Council’s July 28 meeting.

The mall, 18 S. County Center Way, has seen steadily declining foot traffic for years, leading to the closure of its second floor.

Introduced by Sixth District County Councilman Mike Archer (R-Oakville), the bill calls for setting apart the sum of up to $130,000 from the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission’s (CVC) fund for the study. Per bill language, the study is to be performed by the CVC, or its designee, for use by the Department of Planning.

“The feasibility study is to identify if the South County Mall is a good location for a complex,” Tony Artman, Archer’s legislative assistant, said. “These types of studies are generally done so you can use it to explain the likelihood of success if you proceed and use it as a marketing document for possible investors.”

It should be noted that a resolution was passed regarding the same study in December, though the study was not conducted despite the council’s support for the CVC to approve funding.

“The next step was doing a (Request for Proposal) for the feasibility study. There have been differences of opinion on who should lead that effort,” Artman explained, going on to say that the new legislation will define who will do the Request for Proposal, who will oversee the selection of the winning bid and who will receive the report.

The council will recess until Aug. 11, so the bill will not be up for perfection until then.

Archer has previously stated that the proposed sports center would likely have a focus on ice rinks for youth hockey, but it could also work for events when it isn’t being used for such — similar to the Enterprise Center, which hosts the St. Louis Blues as well as concerts and other large gatherings, though on a smaller scale.