U of C Grad Seeks Funding for Documentary of Dixie Square Mall
By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 21, 2010 7:00PM
When it opened in 1965, Dixie Square Mall in Harvey was hailed as a shopping center for the future, eventually growing to hold 64 stores by 1968. But the debt load of its construction and the high crime rate in Harvey plagued the mall from the start. By the time Penneys left in 1978, Dixie Square Mall was on life support, eventually closing one year later.
In the 30 years since Dixie Square Mall closed it's become a popular destination for urban explorers interested in chronicling "dead malls," while numerous attempts to revitalize the property have been presented, but never acted upon. Of course, any discussion of Dixie Square Mall can't occur without bringing up one of the greatest car chase scenes of all time.
U of C graduate and filmmaker Brett Tracy is an urban explorer who is working on a documentary about the history of Dixie Square Mall up to its impending demolition. As with most struggling filmmakers, however, Tracy is lacking funds and he's turned to Kickstarter to raise the money. Tracy is hoping to raise $11,060 bu November 1; he's currently just shy of $2100.