SANFORD, Fla. – Shops in the Seminole Towne Center in Sanford were forced to close Thursday after power was cut to the mall because of unpaid electric bills.
Technicians with Florida Power & Light switched off power to the building and signs were posted at entrances with a notification that the mall was closed.
“Disconnection for nonpayment is and always has been a last resort,” an FPL representative said in a statement. “FPL works with all customers, including the Seminole Towne Center in Sanford, to help them pay their electric bill, including payment plans. While FPL doesn’t take lightly the decision to turn off anyone’s power, we must treat all customers fairly given unpaid electric bills are ultimately paid for by all our customers in the form of higher rates.”
Brady Lessard, economic development director for the city of Sanford, said a portion of the mall ownership was behind on their power bill so electricity was turned off to a portion of the mall.
“Representatives for this portion of mall ownership has assured the city and various tenants that they have initiated payment to get the power restored to the common area,” Lessard said.
Dillards, JCPenny, and ELEV8 are all current on their electric bills and are fully operational with power, according to the city.
News 6 has also learned the mall owes nearly $1 million in unpaid property taxes.
According to the Seminole County Tax Collector’s Office, the entity is delinquent on its 2022 taxes, with a bill of $522,087.05. For 2023, the Seminole Towne Center owes $415,301.71, records show.
Power remained off for most of the mall early Friday, with signs still posted about the closure.
Hours for the Seminole Towne Center on a Friday are listed from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m., but it’s not yet known when the mall will reopen.