CLARENCE, N.Y. - A preliminary, multi-million dollar plan to redevelop Eastern Hills Mall into a "lifestyle center" appears to have gained some traction.
Russell Fulton, the mall's general manager, said in an email that he presented the idea to the Town of Clarence, which was receptive to the concept and willing to work with the mall. The Town Supervisor told 2 On Your Side he fully supports the redevelopment, adding that the town may need to change some codes in order to allow the project to move forward.
The redevelopment plan is in its very, very early stages, according to Nathan Mroz, a local store owner at the mall who is helping management explore the idea of a lifestyle center. However, it could cost as much as $50 million to $300 million, depending on the final plan.
It could include residential space, as well as high-end retailers and a mix of national chains and local stores. The lifestyle center concept, which has become popular in cities across the country, would include open walkways and plazas to connect stores.
"The whole urbanizing of suburbia, the concept of back-to-the-city kind of thing," Mroz said. "We could reuse infrastructure that's still in place, but then redo some of that, making it more appealing, having more streets. Almost more of a village feel than a strip mall kind of ideal."
Mall ownership also recently purchased the former Macy's building on the site. That 120,000 square foot space, previously owned by Macy's itself, can now be reused by the mall. Management can't say who exactly is looking to move into that building, but Mroz said there appears to be strong interest at this point.