Mall Expansion Brings Growing Pains for Denton

Mall management says the problems should be short-lived

Renovations at the Golden Triangle Mall are causing a few inconveniences for folks in the Denton area.
 
The Denton-based mall just entered phases two and three of its two-year renovation project. Mall management says the construction problems caused by the renovation should be short-lived.
 
Crews are working throughout the mall to add a new food court, extend entrances and provide other improvements throughout the mall.
 
"Significant modifications to the exterior will be visible from Loop 288, I-35, and the surrounding streets," said Mall General Manager Matt Ludemann.
 
The main construction work will shut down the Loop 288 entrance for one month from late February to late March.
 
It’s already closed down a significant portion of the mall’s parking lot that has led to backups on Loop 288 – especially during the weekend when the road is already packed with shoppers.
 
Some shoppers say they’ve also noticed lights in the parking lot go out at night.
 
Ludemann says these are all temporary inconveniences that come with progress.
 
"You're looking at two to three weeks at a time in different sections of the property,” Ludemann said. “ It's very minimal.”
 
While there is still a long way to go on those portions of the project, others have already come together.
 
The center court of the mall has been redesigned with new trees and staging areas for events. The mall also brought in a brand new self-playing piano in the last few weeks that will remain in the court.
 
New lighting throughout the mall has already been added and plans are in the works for new, more comfortable seating inside the mall along with new landscaping and fountain space outside.
 
At this point, only three new tenants have been announced in the food court: Italia Express, Smoothies Paradise and Tobu Oriental Eatery. 
 
Shoppers that spoke with NBC 5 say they hope the renovations will pay off for the mall they say is in need of some work.
 
"More kids’ stores,” said shopper Eric Rudd. “They don't have a lot of kids’ stores.”
 
"This is college town; this is where college students love to go,” said shopper Brianna Williams, who added that the mall needs to reclaim that college crowd.
 
Ludemann says the renovations should be complete sometime in 2013 and the mall’s new look should be ready for the holiday season. 
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