Foley - Tanger Outlet Mall Plans Renovation

Foley outlet to add 30,000 square feet of shopping space, reconfigure central courtyard
Published By Mobile Press Register
Friday, February 09, 2007
By GUY BUSBY
Staff Reporter

FOLEY -- Work is set to start Monday on a $24 million overhaul of the Tanger Outlet Center, the second renovation since the retail complex was purchased in 2003, officials said.

The overall size of the outlet center will increase by only about 2,000 square feet, but the change will provide more covered access for shoppers and 30,000 square feet of new retail area, said Marla Warner, general manager.

The 557,000-square-foot outlet center, which opened with 35 businesses, now has more than 120 stores, she said.

Warner said the project will allow at least nine new stores to locate at the outlet center. She said Tanger officials are negotiating with retailers, but that she could not identify prospects until leases are signed.

Aspects of the renovation include:

-- Adding a 30,000-square-foot building on the east side, near the Juniper Street entrance.

-- Demolishing several free-standing buildings in the center court area.

-- Moving the food court, restrooms and some mall offices.

Warner said Thursday that contractors plan to begin demolition Monday on some of the oldest buildings in the central section. She said pedestrian barriers should be set up by today.

A previous expansion at the outlet center in 2005 added 21,000 square feet of store space, according to reports.
Donna Watts, chief executive officer of the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, said the new project is an indication that Greensboro, N.C.-based Tanger feels confident about the region's retailing prospects. "When they're willing to invest that kind of money here, it means our future looks bright to them," she said. "This can only improve everybody's bottom line."

The demolition work in the central section will create an unobstructed view of the courtyard area, according to Warner, while also clearing away buildings that are past their prime. "The central portion was built in 1988 and those buildings are just getting older. With the new retail going in, we wanted to look our best," she said.

About five stores in the central buildings will be moved elsewhere at the center.

Part of the building that houses the WestPoint Stevens store will be converted to accommodate the food court and restrooms. WestPoint will remain, but the change will reduce its share of the building from about 32,000 square feet to about 24,000, Warner said.

The new food court is tentatively scheduled to open in May.

Warner said the entire project is expected to be completed in 2008. Because the renovation will take at least a year, work will be ongoing throughout the busiest shopping seasons, including Christmas and the summer tourist months, she said.

She said that growth in the area -- in retailing and visitor traffic -- led Tanger officials to go ahead and launch the overhaul.

The Tanger chain purchased the then-Riviera Centre in 2003, Warner said. Riviera opened in the 1980s with 35 stores, according to news accounts.

Warner said that shopping complexes such as Pinnacle at Craft Farms in Gulf Shores or The Wharf in Orange Beach are not considered direct competition for an outlet center like Tanger. Commercial expansion, however, will bring more visitors to the area, Warner said, and renovations will help attract and keep customers.

"We're not that worried about retail, but with our large percentage of repeat visitors, of people coming back to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, we want to be sure we're up to date so that people want to come back," she said.

Covered walkways connect most of the Tanger stores, but the free-standing "pod buildings" in the central courtyard are home to some of the original retail space as well as restrooms and the food court.

"In bad weather, those buildings don't get the foot traffic that other areas get because people can't get there," Warner said. "This will also improve the line of sight in the central area and provide improved parking and green space."

Warner said that Tanger also hopes to change the center's overall appearance, but needs approval for proposed changes from Foley city officials. Tanger representatives are scheduled to meet Monday with the Foley Board of Adjustments and Appeals.

The renovation plan includes construction of a 50-foot decorative tower, Warner said. Because the tower is higher than Foley's 35-foot height limit for buildings, Tanger must seek a city-approved variance.

She said that until the board decides on the Tanger request, the company will not have a final design for the renovated center.

Foley Mayor John Koniar predicted that the new-look Tanger center will provide another boost to the area's economy. "They're talking about spending $24 million," he said. "This should be a real boon to the local community in terms of expanding retail opportunities."

Koniar said the Tanger center also has offered space for a police substation on the property. "They've been very supportive," the mayor said. "That should help us as we increase the manpower of the Police Department."