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New Plans Discussed for Lafayette Square Mall
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(above) Kevin Wallace stands on the carpet designed to keep children entertained.
(below) The diagram shows the various play areas on the carpet.
Photos by Linda Karn |
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(posted May 16)
Not even six months have passed since Lafayette Square Mall was purchased
by the Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation, and already the
corporation is making significant improvements to return the mall back
to its roots as a destination place.
Amanda Royalty, leasing and marketing director, shared the renovation plans that are beginning soon to revitalize the 40 year old mall. She told the Speedway Merchants Association that 36 percent of the county's population lives within 10 minutes of the mall.
On May 12, the first signs of renovation started with the construction
of two children's play areas. She said the mall is one of only four
malls in the nation with two play areas.
Kevin Wallace of Playtime LLC explained the company sets up play areas
in fitness centers, hospitals, hotels, malls and airports all over the
world The two areas at Lafayette Square are devoted to toddlers or children
less than 42 inches in height. The carpet sets a scene of water, dirt,
and a railroad track to provide stimulating activities with sponge
foam toys, including a fire engine, boat, log, and train.
Wallace explained the facility allows mothers to set up play dates
and to meet other moms. It is strategically located in the food court.
He said the play area will encourage shopping once they are inside the
mall.
Royalty said other new businesses coming include Maggie Moose, Pretzel
Maker and a Great American Cookie shop at the center of the mall.
She said the area is an under-served market and the corporation's
plans will turn the mall into a one stop 75,000 square foot family entertainment
center. The entertainment center is scheduled to open in October and includes
mini bowling, indoor gokarts, glow golf, and a party room. "There
is not really anything like that in Indiana. It will be the first of Indy
market."
She thinks the family entertainment center will help attract Target, Dick's
Sporting Goods and the Men's Warehouse. She said these are not merely conversations,
but that the corporation has been in serious anchoring discussions.
Sign renovation is on the list too. New digital pylon signs will replace
the antiquated signs that require manual labor to change the message.
The site plan shows that JC Penney will be demolished and converted into
a lifestyle wing with a 100,000 square foot addition. The current anchor
stores will stay. She said they plan to develop out-lots to attract tenants
that do not want to be located inside the mall.
She invited comments and ideas from anyone who would be interested in
seeing changes at the mall. "You are the customer. We want
to be your community mall."
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