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Mall Moves Ahead With Renovations

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By LENORA LAKE

Tribune correspondent

Published: August 20, 2008

UNIVERSITY AREA - While the first phase of University Mall renovations is under way, plans are being considered for the second phase, which could include demolishing and rebuilding part of the 34-year-old shopping complex.

The $12 million first phase of renovation is expected to be finished by Nov. 1, mall General Manager Tom Locke recently told a group of senior citizens.

The next phase, which could start in about a year, may include a new department store in a new building. It also might have an office complex, more restaurants and perhaps a hotel, Locke said during an Aug. 8 presentation to about 100 residents of the neighboring University Village retirement community.

The mall at 2200 E. Fowler Ave. was purchased a year ago for $145 million by Somera Capital Management, a California-based group, from Glimcher Realty Trust.

"They had heard all the negative things but were amazed what was coming into the area," Locke said, referring to growth at the University of South Florida and surrounding communities.

The new owners visited other malls, noting amenities, and planned them for University Mall, he said.

The first phase, which began in April, includes new entranceways and signs along Fowler Avenue. Inside, the mall will feature soft-seating areas throughout, escalators in the center of the mall, coffee tables, free Wi-Fi, remodeled restrooms with nursing rooms, and a children's play area.

All the soft-seating areas will be carpeted, Locke said, adding that it looks like styles of the 1970s.

"It looks like something right out of the TV series 'The Partridge Family,' but that look is new again," Locke said.

The 1,500-square-foot children's play area, expected to open in early to mid-October, will feature dual pirate ships.

Fish decorations, which hung in the mall, have been removed. Locke said they were donated to The Florida Aquarium, which plans to have them autographed by celebrities. They would be used as auction items in an aquarium fundraiser.

The mall owners also have spent $250,000 on an interactive Christmas exhibit, to open in early November, he said.

Locke addressed the issue of tenants, since JCPenney moved out about two years ago and opened a store in Wesley Chapel. Smaller stores, including the Disney Store, have closed.

"There are no notifications of anybody leaving University Mall," he said, adding that he often is asked specifically about Macy's and Dillard's. Dillard's also is building in Wesley Chapel.

"As for Macy's, the last word we have, if they tear down the mall, they are staying," Locke said. "Dillard's keeps telling us they have no plans to leave."

University Village resident Frank Rosen commented to Locke that he didn't usually see many cars parked at the mall.

"It sure has the appearance of a ghost town," Rosen said.

Locke said the mall gets more daytime traffic than any mall in the Tampa area.

"That is because of USF University of South Florida, four major hospitals and you people," he told the residents.

Correspondent Lenora Lake can be reached at (813) 865-4851 or llake@tampatrib.com.

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