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Jim Rosendaul, an outside sales representative for Tocor Inc. lighting company, was surprised when he walked, into River Falls Mall a few weeks ago and found the shopping center nearly empty.
Rosendaul had driven about 35 minutes from his Jeffersontown home to the Clarksville shopping center so two of his daughters - who are ages 6 and 8 could spend a rainy Saturday playing in the River Fair Family Fun Park. The family was disappointed to find the amusement rides, miniature golf course and food court closed.
"It almost brought tears to my eyes because we loved going up there for the rides. The kids always had so much fun," he said. "Now, everything is gone. It just looks like a ghost town."
The experience left Rosendaul questioning what the future holds for the 762,000square-foot shopping center, which is located at 915 Lewis and Clark Parkway. And he is not the only one wondering what will replace the many shops and attractions that have closed.
Officials with General Growth Properties Inc., the Chicago-based real estate investment trust that owns and manages River Falls Mall, say the space will not be vacant for long.
The company's plans call for a comprehensive renovation that includes exterior and interior changes, new entrances, a parking lot expansion and additional tenants, said Ed Pilarz, vice president of asset management for General Growth.
He added that his company will invest a "substantial" amount in project, but he declined to disclose the cost of the renovation or to provide detailed information about the company's plans.
Alterations centered around Bass Pro
General Growth officials believe the changes are necessary for River Falls Mall to compete with neighboring Green Tree Mall, and the company had been looking at ways to "fix" River Falls for the past couple of years, Pilarz said.
"You had two traditional regional shopping centers next to each other," he added. 'We knew we had to take our project in a different direction."
The plans started coming together in February after the company landed a deal with Bass Pro Shops, a Springfield, Mo.-based retail outlet that specializes in outdoor merchandise, such as fishing and hunting equipment.
Bass Pro officials decided to locate in Clarksville after researching the area, looking at...