The recently completed Phase I called for some demolition activity and the creation of 46,000 sf of new retail space. Most of the tenants that will be misplaced as a result of the Giant Food move will relocate to Phase I of the project. Giant has been the Free State Mall's anchor since the property's inception in 1972. The retail destination last underwent a major renovation in 1995.

"Great things are taking shape at Free State that, in the long run, will make an enormous impact on our customers, our retailers, and the Route 450 corridor as a whole," JBGR principal Jim Garibaldi says. "With the completion of Phase I of the redevelopment, customers are already benefiting from the changes made." JBGR expects to begin work on Phase II by the start of the first quarter of 2005.