From the Atlanta Business Chronicle:

General Growth Properties Inc., which owns Cumberland Mall, Perimeter Mall, North Point Mall, Southlake Mall in metro Atlanta, said it may be forced to seek protection from its creditors as it struggles to refinance debt.

Chicago-based General Growth has $958 million in debt that comes due Dec. 1 and another $3 billion in debt that matures in 2009. Citing weakness in the credit and the retail markets, the company says it can’t be sure it will be able to refinance or extend terms on the debt.