Mall should be ready for holiday shoppers
East Hills Shopping Center officials are closer to naming tenants and will be ready for the shopping season.
Rain in early September put a damper on outside work at the mall. “So we’re a little behind,” said Jim Harpool, of Harpool Morgan Haney, which is overseeing the project.
But sunny days are moving both inside and outside construction right along.
Mr. Harpool said that the north parking lot, near J.C. Penney, will be reopened on Saturday. He said crews will continue east, working on other exterior mall entrance projects. The outside portion of the entire mall renovation is expected to be completed by the end of October, according to Mr. Harpool.
A main entrance to the mall off of the Belt Highway will reopen next week. Construction will then close the Frederick Boulevard entrance for remodeling.
“The inside, we’re looking to open the food court and fashion row by the end of October,” he said. The new Sunporch Cafe is located over the former stage and fountain area and fashion row is the main corridor throughout the mall.
To date, Victoria’s Secret is the only new tenant to be named. Mr. Harpool said he is hopeful that tenant announcements could come next week. During the renovation process, several stores have been relocated and some have left entirely.
Mr. Harpool said that the Lifestyles South addition will be done in three weeks. The lifestyles corridor is one of two shopping areas that will have exterior entry to the stores. He said the Lifestyles North would not be completed until early December.
The new children’s play area, located in front of Sears and Dillards, will be finished by the Thanksgiving holiday.
The mall received tax-increment financing for about $30.8 million earlier this year. The new 1-cent sales tax at the mall will help pay off the TIF and generate another $15.6 million, according to the TIF plan’s projections.
That tax will be applied at all stores in the mall and at Carlos O’Kelly’s and Ground Round restaurants, plus any new restaurants built on the mall’s parking lot.
The overall $131 million budget includes the TIF and $15.6 million from the special sales tax — a total of $46.4 million in public incentives. The mall itself is contributing $31.4 million in construction cash, plus $40 million in value of the land and building. The stores within the mall are spending $13.1 million on renovations.
Jennifer Hall can be reached at jennhall@npgco.com.
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I'm sorry but as tight as money is I doubt I will not be shopping at the mall and paying a higher tax.....
Posted by 4wildones on September 24, 2008 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)I don't know where I have been but I did not realize the mall and surrounding restaurants would be charging a use tax for shopping/eating there. Makes my shopping decisions easier, I won't be going to any of those places.
Posted by jayhawkbabe on September 24, 2008 at 10:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)So the owners of the mall aren't going to have to pay any of the TIF back? So the taxpayers are going to take it both ways on this deal? First it's our tax money that was given to the mall to do this and then we are going to have to pay a higher sales tax if we shop there, well that hardly seems fair.
Posted by Mr_America on September 24, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)I guess it's better to have a newly remodeled half empty mall than a run down half empty mall.
Posted by TFurguson on September 24, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)I believe you pay an additonal tax if you shop at the North Shoppes as well. I may be incorrect though. Still cheaper than driving to KC...
Posted by JOKETOWN on September 24, 2008 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)i sure hope they get more new stores besides victorias secret in there. Dont see the point of spending all that money for 1 new store!!!!! My opinion is that is was another BIG WASTE of money!
Posted by anonymous on September 24, 2008 at 2:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)Why spend your tax dollars when you can go to Zona Rosa and enjoy the whole day with many many stores and sales. They also have many events!! I am sorry but the mall will never make money except for the developers who got all that money!!! I would rather give my money to gas than to the 4 developers.
Posted by arch286 on September 24, 2008 at 8 p.m. (Suggest removal)The only reason the shoppes were built, and the East Hills renovated is to attempt to keep shoppers from driving down I-29 to Zona Rosa. I hear the new Dillard's at Zona Rosa is going to be very posh, and carry a good selection of merchandise. I am not holding my breath on all the new shoppes at East Hills, but since I only earn around 10K at my job here, not a lot of disposable income. Yes I am a MWSU graduate. My employer offers higher wages in KC, but not here because this is a low wage market, to many qualified people, and few employers.
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