A Preview Of The Shoppes At Parma

New exterior entrance to The Shoppes at Parma

Phillips-Edison executive Roy Williams told Parma City Council that turning Parmatown Mall into The Shoppes at Parma could take three or four years and cost about $70 million. He also estimated that in addition to 700-800 construction jobs, the project could eventually add about 2,000 retail and office jobs. 

Good news.There are still thousands of details to work out, though, in this complicated project. But recently released architectural renderings offer a sneak peek at what is to come. “It’s a significant investment and a project of considerable size, magnitude and complexity,” Williams said. Phillips-Edison is exploring financing options that include partnering with the city, the county, the school district and the port authority. Work has already begun on six out-lots along W. Ridgewood Drive and the Parmatown Plaza strip. 

People are beginning to wonder and dream about how it might turn out. Parma residents are excited to see the work that has begun - there are cordoned-off areas, construction vehicles and actual piles of dirt in the parking lot. Initial phases of development are confined to the Parmatown Plaza strip and the out-lots. When the entire project is done, though, Williams says the property will be “pedestrian friendly.” He added that The Shoppes at Parma will have less indoor store space than the current Parmatown Mall incarnation, but that will be supplemented by the out-lot buildings. Overall, Williams said, the Shoppes will be a mixture of retail, restaurants and office space. 

What seemingly everybody wants to know is what stores will be in the new Shoppes at Parma. Williams said Phillips-Edison isn’t ready to divulge that information yet, saying they will do so only after the tenants have signed a lease. He did say that JCPenney, Dick’s, Walmart and Marc’s will remain as anchor stores. 

Williams has gotten quickly up to speed with what Parmatown Mall once meant to the city and residents. “We respect that and we want the community to have this type of connection with the shopping center for many generations to come,” he said.

Jeannie Roberts

Communications Director for the City of Parma

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Volume 5, Issue 8, Posted 11:48 AM, 08.01.2013