Mall Developer Richard Jacobs Dies

Richard Jacobs, well known for being the driving force in the development of Central Ohio’s mall scene and the former owner of the Cleveland Indians, has died.

Jacobs’ Cleveland development company, Richard E. Jacobs Group Inc., confirmed his death on its Web site Friday. Jacobs, born on June 1925, was the namesake of the former Jacobs Field, now Progressive Field.

The developer was behind the creation of Central Ohio’s Northland, Westland and Eastland malls, which he finished unloading in 2003 by selling Eastland to Columbus-based Glimcher Realty Trust (NYSE:GRT). Jacobs also led the charge against the development of Glimcher’s Polaris Fashion Place mall near Northland in the late 1990s.