The $2.5-million facade upgrade will add decorative elements, natural stone highlights, monument towers and fresh paint, while a 4,000-sf "state-of-the-art'' customer service center will include a 1,500-sf restaurant, a children's play area, restrooms, security office, and lounge seating with fireplace and big-screen television. Officials say the service center will serve as a reception area for the more than 1,000 tour buses visiting the mall each year.

Officials will also tear down a 47,000-sf space to make room for new construction. Portions of the Elm Run and Fir Run at the southeast end of the center will be torn down and the two remaining sections joined to create visibility from front to back.

Meanwhile, mall officials expect the Pottery Barn home furnishings retailer to occupy a 30,000-sf anchor space in the Alder Run section in November. Pottery Barn will take the place of a Spiegel's outlet, which closed last year.