Most of the Moreno Valley Mall was closed Friday, Feb. 20, after city officials cited “numerous health and safety code violations” as the reason for the partial shutdown, leaving shoppers and business owners seeking answers. The closure, which began Thursday evening, affects all but JCPenney, Macy’s and Harkins Theatres.
City officials have remained largely silent regarding the specifics of the violations. Repeated calls, text messages and emails to Mayor Ulises Cabrera, City Manager Brian Mohan, and other city representatives went unanswered Friday, as did inquiries made during a visit to City Hall.
The city stated in a news release that the mall will remain closed until repairs are completed, and that the duration of the closure depends on “how quickly the property owner addresses and resolves the identified life-safety concerns.”
According to a Q&. A posted on the city website, safety inspections revealed fire code violations that the property owner had previously failed to correct. “Because these violations posed serious safety risks, additional enforcement action was required,” the Q&A stated.
Councilmember Elena Baca-Santa Cruz shared a Feb. 5 memo from Riverside County/Cal Fire Deputy Fire Marshal Edgar Gonzalez to Matthew Illbak, identified as the “building owner.” The memo outlines items that must be “inspected, tested and maintained” throughout the mall, including fire sprinklers, fire alarms, and exit lighting. The memo did not detail specific problems or directly trigger the closure.
Baca-Santa Cruz told the Southern California News Group that nine violations, including the lack of a backup power generator and problems with fire alarms, forced the city to shut down most of the mall. She also stated the mall has “hundreds of violations,” though most do not necessitate closure.
The city’s notice posted on a mall entrance indicated “ongoing inspections” to check compliance with fire protection rules had “revealed violations related to the inspection, testing and maintenance of the (mall’s) required Fire Protection and Fire Life Safety Systems…”
Some shoppers were unaware of the closure Friday morning. Jim Baxter, a Moreno Valley resident, walked toward the mall intending to shop before a movie. “I come here all the time, and I don’t understand why it’s closed now,” he said.
Liz Mendoza, 25, a regular shopper, verified the news she’d seen the previous night. “I thought it was kind of crazy,” she said, noting the mall had recently “gotten more vibrant” with increased foot traffic. She expressed concern about the potential loss of a convenient shopping destination, citing the Galleria at Tyler in Riverside and Ontario Mills as distant alternatives.
Harkins Theatres employees posted signs directing patrons to a limited entrance via Round 1 Bowling & Arcade. The city said Macy’s and JCPenney were permitted to remain open because they have independent fire protection systems.
The closure impacts an estimated 1,000 workers, according to a 2024 city economic development document. The city stated it is offering support to affected businesses and employees, including technical assistance, financial aid information, unemployment assistance, and job training.
The mall, built in 1992, also houses a branch of the Moreno Valley Public Library, which is temporarily closed. Patrons are directed to the Main Library and Iris Plaza Branch.
Riverside County Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez, a former Moreno Valley mayor, stated via Instagram that while the city relies on Cal Fire for fire protection, the decision to close the mall was made by the city. He urged the city to work with the mall owner to resolve the issues quickly, emphasizing the importance of public safety and the well-being of local businesses, and families.
Mall management did not respond to requests for comment.
