COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KOAA) — The Citadel Mall is hosting its first Spring Fling event on Saturday, offering free games and activities for all ages.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and highlights the shopping center's growth into a community hub filled with local businesses.
"Breathe some new life back into The Citadel Mall," said Mark Hanson, who moved his tortoises, reptiles and plant shop, The Plant Vault, to The Citadel Mall two years ago.
- Watch News5's full interview with Hanson below:
The Citadel Mall is not just big box stores.
"These are small businesses and mostly run by the owner of that business," said Hanson. "Anybody that's really interested in starting your own business, this is an amazing place to get started."
Hanson said the mall's bad reputation is dated.
- Watch News5's coverage of changes at The Citadel Mall below:
"Seeing the mall change from being what it used to be to something now where it's, I feel like it's more of a community, a giant community center," said Hanson. "Yes, there has been some bad instances that happened here. Is that something that I feel like it identifies with this place currently? No."
Other business owners agree that the mall is evolving.
"Yeah, the Citadel's had a reputation in its past, and malls evolve, and this one's evolving, and it's much different. It's a fun place to be," said Chris Griffin, the owner of Nerdstalgia.
One Event coordinator of the 'Spring Fling,' says The Citadel Mall is a welcoming places for families, making it the perfect spot for friendly games and activities.
“So we're going to have some resources from the community. We're going to have some live games, a life-size chess board, some mini glow golf. The Easter Bunny will be available for some photos," said Andrea Freygang.
She says they will also have a sensory room for children with disabilities.
“It'll be like a dim room. The room will also be supervised by a dance teacher who teaches instruction in ASL. So she's used to working with autistic and special needs kids," said Freygang.
Hanson says positive and fun events like this one are exactly what the mall needs.
“I'm really hoping that it's gonna keep adding more events to the roster for The Citadel (Mall)," said Hanson.
But what do everyday mall goers think about added events and improvements to the Citadel mall?
The Citadel Mall in Colorado Springs is undergoing several changes, including increased security and more events, which is shifting some people's perceptions of the shopping center.
According to the Colorado Springs Police Department, there were 30 violence-related calls for service at the Citadel Mall in 2024, and 34 calls in 2025 through Dec. 7. However, calls for shots fired and weapon offenses decreased from 13 in 2024 to eight in 2025.
ALSO READ | The Citadel Mall safety efforts continue amid mixed crime statistics
Nick Provencio grew up going to the Citadel Mall and now brings his children. He said the increased security is a newer development.
"There was one point I believe it was probably right before COVID where there was a lot of violence going on," Provencio said, "There's a lot more security around here, and I think there's a lot more families I've seen coming in here and checking out the stores," Provencio said.
Mary Waechter also noticed a change in the reputation of the shopping center regarding public safety.
"Security. I've seen their presence quite a bit lately. Which is a good thing because we've had a little bit of problems before with kids just coming in, throwing stuff down there or whatever," Waechter said.
Ronald O’Neill said more improvements can be made to bring the community together.
"Because of some things that happened in the past it's been a scary note and people hear the Citadel and they don't want to come here anymore, but hoping that it kind of gets a new name, a fortress, a citadel, it can be a place for families to come together again because it is in the heart of the springs," O'Neill said.
"I think things that have to do with community, things that you can't get online, I think that would be if they if they could conspire and come up with more things to bring into this area that would want to bring people to come together," O'Neill said.
Provencio said he is beginning to see more opportunities at the mall for families to join in on the fun, like the spring fling this Saturday.
"I think that's a good thing to have events so that way people could get out of their house and come out and just kind of just see that the mall's still here," Provencio said.
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