Crestwood Mayor Jeff Schlink said two recent meetings with representatives of Centrum Properties “were extremely positive.”

Schlink told aldermen Aug. 27 he met twice with Centrum representatives since the previous board meeting. The purpose of the meetings, according to the mayor, was to identify “what we all know are some of the stumbling blocks” of the proposed redevelopment of Crestwood Court.

Centrum, along with Angelo, Gordon & Co., owns the mall site.

The third “no” vote on Peckham Guyton Albers & Viets, or PGAV, as the planner for the proposed redevelopment of the mall was an important issue, Schlink said.

“Not everybody is in favor of PGAV. PGAV has some baggage,” he said. “So for PGAV to not be involved in the project, it’s not the end of the world.”

In moving forward with a planner, Schlink said the city will “cast a wider net” to try and generate more interest in the project.

Schlink said he would like to see the city attorney draft an ordinance to issue a request for proposals for another planner, though that decision must be made by the board.

Rebecca Hawkinson of Centrum Properties said Centrum has been working with city officials in regard to the Brownfields Assessment Program.

“We do want to work together,” she said. “We are shutting the property down after LensCrafters closes in September.

“That was never our plan to just shut it down and let it sit vacant, but right now, that’s where we are, and we’d like to move forward. We want to do what’s best for the citizens in the community and for our financial partners as well.”