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entrancewithaccessto theparkinggarageWAPAftEAincludes^ New storesparking■Testing anchor ; stores va|gg ExistingX - ’2x3\ stores' k;’--’.Existing i hallways IExisting a parking 1Existing -mall border* • / «Existing outlying buildingsPtW INCLUDES, FROM PACE A-lmain entrance to the enclosed malhwiU be positioned, about where the former Old Navy store stands. The mall’s main entrance is next to TGI Friday’s.■ Pending state Department ofTransportation approval, creating a vehicle entrance into the mall property from Erie Boulevard East. It would be below where Dick’s sits. The entrance road would start at Erie and enter a parking area facing a collection of new stores and restaurants.The access road would continue up to the top of the parking deck, a structure Macerich executives say has been “underused” over the years.■ Adding a collection of upscale — and unnamed — stores, restaurants and services, including valet, parking. Macerich said the names of the tenants will be revealed as development progresses.“We will clearly bring this property to the next level,” said Michael J. Nevins, vice president of leasing for Macerich, whose local corporate offices are at ShoppingTown. “We will create an open-air plaza with open-air shops and restaurants that will complement the existing center and its tenants, which are the lifeblood of this center.”Plans similar to those an-nouncedMonday have been in the works for years, many of them worked on by Nevins andother Macerich employees whospent years with Wilmorite Inc. Wilmorire sold its East Coast mall portfolio, which includes Clay’s Great Northern Mali, to Macerich in 2005.Nevins said some of the departures in the Sears wing, which is mostly empty, have been part of the intention to demolish that wing, which some at Macerich said looks like “a prison wall” next to Erie Boulevard East. The new design, they say, is more inviting to travelers ' along the boulevard.DeWitt town officials, who got a glimpse of Macerich’s plans in January, have been ecstatic about the renovations. De-Witt planners are notoriously finicky and have a reputation for pressuring retailers and developers to polish designs and properties.The town’s planning board received the plans Monday. The board’s next meeting is March 22.James G. DiStefano, DeWitt’s town supervisor, was with Macerich executives Monday before the mail opened as they unveiled the designs to 100 mall employees gathered for the occasion in the food court.“This would be like our town center,” ;said DiStefano. “These people have done their homework. We are thrilled about this. We’d been talking to their predecessor, Wilrnorite, about this, and we’re glad that they’re able . to bring it forward. This is prime retail location in Central New York ip our town. We’re looking forward to working with them arid making this project com-. plete.” : • ;Absent from the talks are ' plans for a new Regal Cinemas complex. It was not on the designs, although much talked about in retail circles.“Regal is aware of this project, committed to this project, said'Nevins. “We are actively in discussions with them for an expansion and somewhat of a redressing for their facility.”Nevins said Sears executives approved die plan, creating a standalone Sears department store, a rarity in the Sears portfo-lio'nationwide although some department stores, J.C. Penney included, are moving in that direction.In ail, Macerich is knocking down 183,000 square feet of enclosed retail space in the 1.16~mi llion-square-foot shopping center, said Charles W. Krueger, assistant vice president of development at Macerich.ShoppingTown will be adding 65,000 square feet of “lifestyle specialty retailers and restaurants,” said Nevins, in a number of configurations at the center.The center will slim down to about 1 million square feet and “be more intimate and inviting,” Macerich executives said.DiStefano said his vote for new tenants is with “high-end restaurants,” which are sorely needed in the DeWitt area, with colleges and universities nearbyand a bevy of hotels at Carrier Circle.“With football and basketball games, you can’t get near any restaurant now,” said DiStefano.The hope is that the ShoppingTown project will put a permanent stamp on DeWitt as a key regional draw for shopperis and diners, said DiStefano.' : -In recent years, first Bender-son Development, then Developers Diversified Realty have renovated and expanded nearby shopping centers, including Marshalls Plaza, which drew Best Buy, Golf Galaxy, Panera Bread, former ShoppingTown tenant Old Navy and other retailers. Raymour Flanigan also expanded its plaza and brought in Baines Noble, and Wegmans built a news flagship store that it is expanding, DiStefano'noted.“Everybody’s been upgrading. These guys have been just sitting here with their heads in • the sand,” said DiStefano.‘‘We’re happy. They’ve been talking about this for a long time. As far as I can see, there's only an upside.”Macerich also revealed plans for more of the 6S acres it ownsFuture developmentShoppingTown Md! additionThe mail’s modifications highlight:;■ An open-air plaza■ Better traffic flow for cars •■ Easier pedestrian mobilityand access for the community■ 183,000.square feet removed■ 65,000 square feet added■ 315 new parking spaces■ Library hoved to a newlocation in the mall :ShoppingTownMarch 12,2007: Mali management announces lifestyle addition.By fait: Completion of Town ofDeWitt approval process; demolition of Sears wing begins.By winter: Completion of New York Department of Trarisportaticri.traffic study approval process; derholition of Sears Whig completed., , i*-”. ' * * • . • •January-March 2008: Construction begins. .Fall 2008: Construction complete.
Newspaper Details
Syracuse Post Standard
Syracuse, New York, US
Tue, Mar 13, 2007
Page 33
Full Page
Clipped by
Keith C.
FL, USA 04 Jan 2021
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