Mall Makeover

Staff report

NILES

The Eastwood Mall Complex has a multi-million-dollar project underway that the Cafaro Co. says “will enhance the function and aesthetics” of the company’s home mall.

Major upgrades to the interior and exterior of the mall will take place through the rest of the summer and be completed in October, just before the start of the holiday shopping season.

The most visible portion of the project will be the complete rebuilding of the main entrance. The updated architectural design will incorporate a large LED video screen that will display both static images and full motion video, advertising mall merchants and events.

This video installation is being provided by Canfield-based LED3.

The northeast entrance to the mall, near Target and JC Penney, will be rebuilt to include store spaces that have direct access to the parking lot as well as the mall concourse. That will accommodate shops and restarants that appeal to single-destination visitors to the mall.

Repaving of the parking areas, along with power-washing and tuck-pointing of the main mall building are now underway.

New landscaping will be installed in September and October. Inside the mall, new carpeting will be installed throughout the common areas.

Energy-efficient LED lighting systems will significantly brighten the concourses and court areas.

“We want to keep the atmosphere clean, modern and appealing to both our merchants and guests,” said Co-President Anthony Cafaro Jr. “We know that Eastwood looks good already, but we want to stay ahead of the curve.”

The last major renovation of Eastwood Mall took place in 2006.

The Eastwood Mall complex has more than 200 department stores, speciality shops, restaurants, hotels and entertainment venues.