Mall renovation is going to be very important in the future for leasing. There`s lots of competition for tenants. Most centers are not 100 percent leased. Merle Nickolauson, facilities management director for the mall management firm of Harold Carlson & Associates, Rosemont.
The newly renovated Crystal Lake Plaza and Country Corners malls have both increased the number of people coming into them because of the way they look. Bob Blazier, executive director, Greater Crystal Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.
North Point Shopping Center in Arlington Heights was built back in the early
`60s and it was basically the only player in town at the time. As the competition grew up around it, it really needed some sprucing up to entice tenants back. Michael Meyer, design architect, Otis Associates Inc., Schaumburg.
Most shopping centers built during the `50s and `60s have gotten to the point where their faces are outdated and they have to take a fresh approach. Charles Perkins, director of planning and development, Village of Arlington Heights.
The renovation of Century Plaza Mall in West Dundee brought back a formerly depressed area. It`s encouraging to see that you can market these malls to make them work again. Margo Quick, president, Cardunal Area Chamber of Commerce, Carpentersville.
For sales and property tax generation, mall renovations are all positives for the community. Joseph Cavallaro, village administrator, Village of West Dundee.
When you`re done with a remodeling, you want people to think it`s a brand new center. It`s nice to hear people say, `I wonder what they did with the old one?` Alan Rosenzweig, president, Rosenzweig Associates, Wheeling, architects for Gaslight Plaza in Wheeling.
