BY MICHAEL CROUCHLEY & CONNOR PITTMAN
Diving in deeper
Many business owners are hoping that the redevelopment brings much-needed foot traffic to the mall. Brian Dunne and George Stergios, owners of Mexican Bar Company and Knife Steakhouse, respectively, both said that their restaurants in The Shops at Willow Bend’s dining district won’t be able to stay without a major revamp. “We all feel strongly that this needs to happen for us to survive,” Dunne said. “The sooner the better, because we’re hanging on by a string.” Chris Anuwe and Justin Patterson—owners of Incite, a skateboarding shop that also sells vintage clothes and sneakers—said they are also hoping the changes will bring more shoppers to the mall. But with Incite’s storefront included near the area of the mall set to be demolished, its immediate
future is less certain. Anuwe said Incite is hoping to maintain a presence online and at trade shows while he and Patterson wait for construction. But he added that the transition period will be a challenge for the mall’s small businesses. “Everybody is excited for some- thing brand new, but prior to the brand new, there’s this in-between period,” Anuwe said. “We want the community to realize that there’s still something here for them.”
"All of the small businesses here are going to have a hard time staying afloat, but we’re really trying to stick it out." CHRIS ANUWE, INCITE CO-OWNER
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What’s next?
permits for the demolition and future redevelopment of the mall throughout 2024. Initial redevelopment is likely to begin in 2025. “Centennial had an idea to make it walkable and really bring more of a Legacy West or The Domain in Austin feel, which [are both] very successful,” Muns said.
The first of four phases is expected to add the core redevelopment of the project, which includes the new residential and retail spaces, Platt said. Information shared with council projects the full development plan to occur between eight and 10 years. Platt added that Centennial will be looking to obtain
Independence (PS–G3) (469) 642-2000 10145 Independence Parkway, Plano Legacy (PS–K) (469) 573-0077 6700 Communications Parkway, Plano
The updated zoning for the area will set general limits for the future development, including:
Up to 965 multifamily units
Up to 40 townhomes
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Several one- to two- story retail buildings
One 18-story upscale hotel
An independent private school offering preschool through eighth grade
SOURCES: CENTENNIAL, CITY OF PLANO/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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PLANO NORTH EDITION
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