Moreno Valley Mall fixes 3 of 9 violations blocking its reopening
Six safety issues -- from fire alarms to emergency lighting -- still need fixing, the city attorney said Wednesday, Feb. 25.
Black News 
Three fire code violations that led to the Moreno Valley Mall’s closure have been fixed, but six still stand in the way of the shopping center’s reopening, Moreno Valley’s city attorney said Wednesday, Feb. 25.
Violations related to the mall’s fire sprinklers, standpipe system and emergency generator have been addressed, City Attorney Steve Quintanilla said via email.
RELATED: Moreno Valley Mall owed city almost $700,000 as of January, letter states
The outstanding violations relate to the mall’s fire alarms, smoke control system, fire doors, fire/smoke dampers, emergency lighting and emergency exit lighting.
“Until and unless these remaining six (very critical) Life Safety and Fire Protection violations are resolved by the Mall Owner/Management, the Mall must remain closed to ensure that there is no risk of harm or death that may result from a Fire Emergency and Evacuation,” Quintanilla wrote.
He added he’s been “in constant communication with the Mall’s recently retained attorneys who have been very helpful and cooperative with helping move this matter in the right direction.”
The city “remains committed to expeditiously processing any necessary permit applications, conducting any necessary inspections and providing any technical assistance so long as the Mall Owner/Management remains diligent in proceeding toward correcting, resolving and/or abating” the violations, Quintanilla said.
The mall, with the exception of JCPenney, Macy’s and Harkins Theatres, has been closed since Thursday, Feb. 19, leaving business owners and employees in limbo.
According to city officials, the unprecedented closure of the 87-acre complex comes amid 88 code violations at the property since 2019.
As of January, the mall owed the city almost $700,000 for code violations and on-site law enforcement services, Quintanilla and City Manager Brian Mohan wrote in a January letter to the mall’s owner.
Mall management has said the closure was unexpected and it is working with the city to reopen as quickly as possible.
