search for land, find land, buy land, talk to local govt. about possibility of building mall, find buyers who want to put stores in mall. Draw mall, make scale model of mall, have detailed lists for local govt. visit govt in a hearing. have a budget. get approval, run tests for increase traffic, electical, water, environmental get approval from tests, submit tests. hold township meeting discussing. hear raised concerns, address concerns get permits to build. hold another township meeting. repeat or reject. hold another township meeting. get final approval from local govt. get subcontractors to build, adjust budget. confirm permit and ok from township/state to build. build. level lot, make drain. do underground work. plot building locations. build get inspectors at ever point local/state govt requires. and i’m sure i’m missing alot but WALLA you have a mall. managing side is a different cup of tea, and i’m drinking coffee this morning.

Zoning proposals to the local government
Government passes needed zoning
Commission passes proposed project
Financing secured by developer from lenders
Management company begins pre-leasing to interested businesses
Continue leasing throughout process
Clear land
Build
Final payments to developers from loan proceeds
Open store
Lease payments begin to flow to the lenders
Any components sold outright, proceeds to lenders
Loans paid off
Project owners either keep the property and collect lease payments as cash flow or sell the whole thing

Local taxpayers talked in to believing this was good for their community get stuck with tax increases to improve the infrastructure that the developers snaked out of paying.