ADA commentary: General Growth Properties files for bankruptcy

By: Chris Johnson

Many of you have been aware of the name of General Growth Properties as we have referred to them on many occasions relative to our ongoing concerns regarding a couple of their rental clientele: Victoria’s Secret and Abercrombie & Fitch.

Since one of the malls closest in proximity to our ministry is a General Growth Property we have worked with GGP (General Growth Properties) to combat the indecency of said corporations.

I have spoken directly with a GGP attorney on more than one occasion and with their then CEO John Bucksbaum, as well as with the General Manager of their Grandville Property, Randy Zimmmerman.

I have found General Growth Properties to be like many others: deflective, obtuse, businesslike, civil but seemingly not very helpful.

Yet, I have also seen that though it may seem like they were just “blowing me off” there was more going on behind the scenes than what it might have seemed.

Ultimately, at one point, because of faithful and reasonable expressions of concern (from me and others), General Growth Properties arranged a meeting with their attorney and representatives of Abercrombie & Fitch and Victoria’s Secret to discuss the need to be more attentive to public expressions of concern. (This was conveyed to me through a GGP administrator).

In summary and conclusion, I wish no ill will of General Growth Properties during these days of immense financial difficulty. I only encourage them to urge their decision makers and mall managers to respond more forthrightly and quickly to public expressions of concern regarding inappropriate window and wall displays.

Too many times, it has taken too much time and effort to genuinely get them to pay attention. How unfortunate.

Lastly, may I use this as a reminder to urge you to continue to be that voice of reason and “salt and light” at your local mall.

Your voice can and still does make a difference. I am thankful for the many of you who are willing to go out of your way to find where the mall manager’s office is and will make your way there to express a concern when something is just plain and simple: INDECENT.

Contact:

General Growth Properties
Mr. John Bucksbaum, Chairman of the Board
Email: John.Bucksbaum@ggp.com
110 N. Wacker Dr.
Chicago, IL 60606
Telephone: 312-960-5000
email:
http://ggp.com/Contactus.aspx

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American Decency Association
Bill Johnson, President
P.O. Box 202
Fremont, MI 49412
ph: 231-924-4050
www.americandecency.org

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