Mission Gateway Project Halted After Months of Progress

Due to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, construction on the Mission Gateway Project at Roe Ave. and Johnson Drive was halted only a few months after breaking ground and has not resumed. Prior to this, the project had finally gained traction in January 2020 when construction began for a new entertainment complex.

The complex would’ve consisted of living, office, retail, dining and entertainment spaces. The main tenant would have been Cinergy — a combination of movie theaters, bowling, dining and arcades. 

In an October city council meeting, building developer Tom Valenti told the city that as a result of financial burdens brought by the pandemic, construction cannot continue at present. Valenti also cited lenders and the bond market — two main funding sources of the project — being skeptical to work with projects that have hotels as a main component. 

Despite the current issues, Valenti and Cameron Group LLC have remained optimistic about the project.

“I want you to know that we are beyond 100% committed to this project,” Valenti said. “We are confident that we are going to bring this to completion, we’ve just got to get through this period.”

Valenti also mentioned that Cinergy is still on board. The project is still having issues finding tenants for the office spaces. 

Though the developers for the project are optimistic, the site has become an eyesore for citizens of the city and those who drive by. 

Many citizens still have memories of the Mission Center Mall — which occupied the plot of land before being torn down in 2005 — and are disappointed by the empty lot.

Citizen of Mission Debbie Smith says she misses the Mission Mall and is sad to see the land be left neglected.

“I loved the Mission Center Mall,” Smith said. “My parents moved to Milhaven in 1987. I never understood why they demolished it in the first place. To this day, I see that decision as a colossal mistake.”

Others were looking forward to the project’s completion, including freshman Ayden Beveridge.

“I’m disappointed now because I was really excited for it to be completed,” Beveridge said. “My family and I live really close to where it was going to be, so we would probably go there often.”

Since November 2020, there has been no progress in either direction. The city has said that they will not go to the bond market to sell bonds until the financing issues are resolved. 

Though the dormant project isn’t costing the city any money, it isn’t making any money either. 

After 15 years of frustration — and a lingering eyesore for the city — the Mission Gateway project is once again in an awkward state of completion with no end in sight.