Mall deal falls apart.

• Position: Charlotte

There was no doubt that Charlotte wanted to buy ailing Eastland Mall and redevelop it (cover story, October). The question was how much? The answer: not enough to pay the $22 million mall owners wanted. City Council had offered $7.4 million for most of the 83-acre site. In November, with the two sides so far apart on price, it directed city staff to drop efforts. That means Charlotte likely will forfeit $400,000 it spent on options to buy empty Belk...