- The existing entrance will be redone as shown in this rendering.
The Jefferson Valley Mall in Yorktown Heights, long in need of a cosmetic makeover, is now getting one.
Construction crews broke ground Aug. 14 on the first phase of a $60 million revitalization project for the mall, one that officials have called a “style evolution” that will last roughly two years.
The mall, which is owned by Columbus, Ohio-based real estate investment company WP Glimcher, will see new exterior entrances, upgrades to its food court and other interior upgrades. State Sen. Terrence Murphy, who represents Yorktown Heights ”” and helped kickstart the renovation process as a Yorktown town councilman six years ago ”” said phase one involves demolishing an old movie theater, a process expected to last two months. The vacant theater will become additional retail and restaurant space.
Phase two, which will begin after the movie theater demolition is complete, will include exterior renovations, landscape improvements and the construction of a new entrance along Route 6.
- A rendering of the planned food court.
Workers spent much of the summer removing asbestos from the vacant theater to begin the renovation process. The project is expected to be completed in 2017. The mall will remain open during construction.
“Today marks the culmination of more than six years of hard work on behalf of the residents of Yorktown and the Hudson Valley,” Murphy said, adding that the renovation would create jobs and reduce the tax burden on Yorktown residents. “Further, we appreciate the continued support of the town of Yorktown as this much-anticipated project comes to fruition.”
The food court will receive new lighting, seating and updated restaurant storefronts. New bathrooms with modern fixtures and flooring will also be added, including a family restroom and nursing room. New carpeting, LED lighting, ceiling tiles and soft seating will be installed throughout the 73-store mall.
Officials said new retail offerings are also expected, and will be announced soon. Targeted tenants include Chico”™s, Vera Bradley, Michael Kors, White House Black Market, Starbucks, Clarks, J. Jill, Teavana, Chipotle, Sephora and Buffalo Wild Wings. A 50,000-square-foot Dick”™s Sporting Goods store is expected to open by spring 2017 and will serve as an anchor store on the east side of the mall at Hill Boulevard.
“We have been a staple in this community for more than 30 years and this investment by WP Glimcher signifies our vision for continued success,” said Roberto Luciano, mall manager.
Indianapolis-based real estate company Simon Property Group sold the mall to WP Glimcher, in May. Simon continues to manage the mall, and a spokeswoman for WP Glimcher said it is not yet determined whether Simon will continue to manage the mall throughout the entirety of the renovation process.
WP Glimcher was created in May when Glimcher Realty Trust merged with Washington Prime Group, which had been spun off by Simon a year earlier.
WP Glimcher owns and operates 121 shopping centers in the U.S.
Simon initially proposed the $60 million mall upgrade in 2009. After nearly four years of public hearings, the Yorktown Town Board in October 2013 approved Simon”™s proposal to add an additional 32,000 square feet of space to the mall, which would increase the gross leasable area of the mall by 20,000 square feet.
Simon operates The Westchester and The Galleria at White Plains; The Shops at Nanuet; and Woodbury Common Premium Outlet in Central Valley.
The Jefferson Valley Mall, at 650 Lee Boulevard in Yorktown Heights, has 73 stores and restaurants. It opened in 1983 and has roughly 550,000 square feet of retail space.
No changes have been proposed for the mall”™s two anchor stores, Sears and Macy”™s. Other national stores in the mall include Forever 21, H&M, The Children”™s Place, Express and Victoria”™s Secret.
Elected officials and members of the Westchester business community joined in a groundbreaking event Aug. 14 at the mall .
“Jefferson Valley Mall has had a strong presence in the evolution of the town of Yorktown for many years,” town Supervisor Michael Grace said. “The mall continues to be a valued community resource as an economic engine, providing jobs, sales tax revenue and adding to the quality of life for our residents.”
Yorktown Chamber of Commerce President Eric DiBartolo said, “We expect (the mall) to once again become an economic engine for Yorktown and the surrounding communities.”
