By Sara Beth Williams–
Extensive details have been obtained by The Sentinel from an inspection warrant at Sunrise Mall that was served by police, fire, city and health officials.
The three-day inspection took place in May, with numerous violations found — including evidence of homeless persons sleeping inside shuttered businesses. The city said the warrant was served due to numerous community complaints about the state of Sunrise Mall, prior inspections from code enforcement, and a “lack of responsive corrective measures” taken by the mall’s majority owner, Namdar Realty Group.
According to a 50-page report from the city detailing the warrant’s findings, violations included everything from plumbing and electrical violations, leaks, water damage, an inoperable fire alarm system and minor structural problems to extensive deferred maintenance issues. Several unpermitted modifications were also noted, along with rodent droppings and a rodent carcass.
The rear exterior of the mall entrance presented some minor structural issues, according to Sacramento Metro Fire officials present during the inspection. In the common corridor, fire inspectors also noted missing and broken tiles, loose carpets, extension cords in public areas, and open electrical junction boxes. Metro Fire also noted that all padlocks needed to be removed from mall entrances and exits.
There was also evidence of unhoused individuals living in the former movie theater, including a modified exterior door that allowed access to the interior of the theater. The old United Artists theater, which closed in 2021, also had numerous code violations, including electrical, plumbing, and sanitation issues.
An inspection of the former Elephant Bar building showed numerous health and safety issues and evidence that unhoused people had been living in and using the space for “illicit purposes.” The damage was “extensive” and a safety hazard for anyone in the building, the report said.
During the inspection of vacant businesses, city inspectors, law enforcement, and fire officials found evidence of “water intrusion” on ceilings and evidence of rodent and insect infestation throughout most vacant restaurant spaces. Standing water was also found inside the former Pretzelmaker’s space, which flowed into the front service area, and during rainy days water would often flow out into the common areas and into neighboring businesses.
The mall’s security office had non-compliant plumbing for a washing machine and water heater, which were installed without a known permit, according to officials.
An inspection of the former Macy’s buildings found numerous electrical hazards, along with mechanical equipment issues, walls damaged and left exposed, and “water intrusion” in several locations, including an area on the first floor where water had been apparently leaking through the ceiling, “causing deterioration and staining of the ceiling” and damage to the floor and wall “for a long period of time.” There were also signs of rodent and insect intrusion and graffiti tags.
An inspection of the roof of the mall revealed concerning signs of extensive evidence of standing water and multiple roof drains clogged, not maintained or blocked with debris, which officials said could lead to “the potential for roof damage or collapse” and therefore require immediate mitigation.
Also on the roof, inspectors found ladders, trash, personal belongings, tools, an unlocked storage shed, and mechanical units open and vandalized. Some mechanical units were leaking, according to the report.
The third floor of Macy’s Men’s also had “widespread” water intrusion from the roof throughout, with tarps, hoses, and buckets being used to collect rainwater. In some cases, the buckets were overflowing.
“This has the potential to be a great public safety risk, as this could lead to weakened structural support of the roof, mold and mildew growth, and damage to the building’s electrical and mechanical/plumbing systems,” the report stated.
What’s next for the property?
Shortly after the inspection was completed and a Notice to Abate was issued, Namdar reportedly began propositioning brokers in the region with the intent to sell the property off the market, according to local news reports.
Namdar has not responded to repeated emailed requests for comment regarding the state of disrepair of Sunrise Mall.
When asked about the future of the mall under potential new ownership, the city said in an emailed statement:
“The violations have resulted in Certificates of Nuisance being recorded on the subject parcels. Typically, during the sale of a property, the escrow company orders a title report to identify any outstanding liens or encumbrances. It is generally the seller’s responsibility to resolve these issues prior to the close of escrow.”
According to an email update in June from City Manager Ash Feeney, more than $300,000 in fines have been issued for code enforcement violations at the mall. The city was not able to provide an exact dollar amount in fines issued before press time.
Publisher’s note: The Sentinel will publish a follow up story on any efforts made by mall ownership to remedy the numerous code violations. Subscribe to The Sentinel for follow up stories on what’s next for the Sunrise Mall property.
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