The Oaks Mall began making payments against $125,000 in unpaid electric bills on Friday—in time to avoid a potential disconnect from Gainesville Regional Utilities on Monday, according to the utility.
Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) sent The Oaks Mall a letter stating that it would be disconnected because of missed payments on 23 different accounts.
Spokesperson David Warm said it’s the same notice GRU would give to any customer account that must be removed for failed payment. He said the missed payments stretch back multiple months.
Warm said the missed payments meant the utility could have disconnected power on Monday, dimming the shopping experience for more than 200,000 monthly visitors. But he said The Oaks Mall started sending payments on Friday after the notice letter was sent, and GRU plans to review the bills on Monday to see where the mall stands.
Warm said the utility would not cut power on Monday because of the received payments.
Gabriel Klier, part of management with The Oaks Mall, told Mainstreet that the mall had been fully caught up on payments to his knowledge. He said he had spoken with the business’ utility representative earlier in the day.
The Oaks Mall, owned by Brookfield Properties, one of the largest mall owners in America with over 100 malls in its portfolio, entered foreclosure proceedings in early 2025. The mall owes around $80 million.
Because of the foreclosure, a Florida court removed Brookfield Properties from management control and brought in a third-party, known as a receiver, to operate the mall during the foreclosure proceedings.
Spinoso Real Estate Group was appointed as the receiver in March 2025. After months in management, the company reported progress to the court.