Concurrent with the acquisition announcement, May Department Stores announced plans to construct a 120,000-sf Kaufmann's at the mall. The new department store is expected to open in the fall of 2005, giving the mall four department store anchors.

Originally constructed in 1968 and renovated in 1989, the enclosed regional mall has 69 in-line stores, a seven-unit food court and four freestanding buildings. The mall is anchored by Lazarus-Macy's, Sears and JCPenney.

Glimcher has been shedding non-core community centers and utilizing the proceeds to reduce debt and increase its investment in regional mall properties. In keeping with that strategy, Glimcher earlier this month announced the sale of Linden Corners, an 80,010-sf community center in Buffalo, NY, for $1.6 million. The center includes an 80,000-sf vacant anchor location that was formerly occupied by Ames.