Construction workers in reflective vests outnumber teenagers at East Hills Shopping Center these days.

There’s something else at the mall that hasn’t been there for a long time. Excitement.

East Hills is still a work in progress, but you can start to see some of the progress showing up. Skylights have literally opened up the mall to let the sun shine in. The artificial plants are sure to thrive now. Underfoot, some new flooring has been installed, but most is bare concrete.

It may take a compass to get around for awhile because familiar stores have moved and some old entrances have been closed up, creating a sense of disorientation.

The rocking chairs have all relocated at the center of the mall, where old men congregate like they’re trying out for Brad Paisley’s “Waiting on a Woman” music video.

Mixed with the excitement about the renovations, questions still linger over East Hills. The Sun Porch Cafe in the central part of the mall is under wraps with a sign promising that it will open in late October. No word is available on what sort of dining options will be available at the food court. Do I hear a ground swell of support for Orange Julius?

The kid’s play area on the south end is also boarded up during construction. That little feature may be key to the mall’s ability to compete with the Shoppes at North Village, particularly during the dreary months of a Missouri winter.

An impressive facade on the north side gives the mall an inviting presence from Frederick Boulevard.

Yet, still no word on what will be locating inside this shiny new space. Mall management said there might be an announcement in September.

East Hills had trouble filling its existing space — it was 40 percent vacant when the council approved the TIF incentives.

So far, the only new store we know about is Victoria’s Secret. The Sephora boutique inside JCPenney is also generating some interest.

One shop owner said traffic has remained strong even during the upheaval. On the weekends, especially, the place has been busy, he said.

That’s reassuring news to those of us who want to see St. Joseph thrive and who are also footing that $46 million TIF bill.

Late October seems like an optimistic timeline, although work seems to be progressing at a rapid clip. Still, you’d like to think a construction project worth $138 million would take more than a few months to finish.

Business editor Susan Mires can be reached at susanm@npgco.com.