Deanna Franklin, aide to County Commissioner Al Higginbotham, confirmed Baier’s statement, calling them “big-picture talks,” but added that nothing firm had come as a result of them.
Taylor Clifton, spokeswoman for the mall, said she is not aware of any plans to expand the mall outside of the mall’s current $60-million renovation. The current renovation is expected to be completed in March.
According to the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser’s office, the mall’s parent company, Westfield Group, owns several tracts of land at the mall site under the name Brandon Shopping Center Partners Ltd.
Only one parcel has remained undeveloped, at the southeast corner of the mall, often used for outdoor attractions such as RV and automobile sales. It also was the host site for the October traveling Vietnam Wall replica.
A second piece of land along the west side of the mall is used for the center’s latest renovation.
Meanwhile, the shopping center, 459 Brandon TownCenter Blvd., announced last week its latest round of retailers and restaurants who will call the mall home when construction is completed. At this point, all interior renovations to the food court have been completed and a new mall feature, the Westfield Family Lounge, is open.
The most recent roster of new mall tenants include: The Cheesecake Factory; Teavana teas and serving products; Sephora, a beauty retailer; Swarovski, crystal gifts and jewelry; Fossil, a watch retailer; Solstice Sunglass Boutique; Esmer Fashion Jewelry & Accessories; Quiksilver, a surf-inspired clothing and accessories retailer; Cache, sportswear and dresses; Swim ‘N Sport; The Walking Company; and Clark’s, footwear retailer.
The Westfield Family Lounge is in the food court and features three private nursing stations, five diaper-changing stations, a diaper machine, microwave, child-sized restroom and a large, carpeted play area.
Additionally, some established retailers will relocate and will open early this year, including Panera Bread Bakery & Café, Bakers Shoes, Bebe and Icing by Claire’s.
A new 45,000-square-foot Dick’s Sporting Goods will anchor the mall’s new shopping wing on the west side of the building.
When construction is complete in March, the mall will feature 1.1 million square feet of shopping and eating space.