North Grand Mall is finally ready for a renovation.

“We have been discussing a renovation for this property for about three years now,” said Patrick O’Leary, managing partner for L&H Real Estate Group. “We have been waiting for the department store retail climate and the economy to get to the right place. The timing is right now.”

The renovation plans for the mall include expansion and remodeling.

“North Grand Mall’s redevelopment project will be significant,” O’Leary said.

The plan for North Grand consists of expansion and remodeling of existing department stores, addition of another fashion department store, addition of a new small shop retail space, improved landscaping, lighting, customer amenities and improved parking, he said.

“The ownership [of North Grand Mall] is planning to re-invest millions of dollars into the mall, which will nearly double the size of the mall and will deliver a very positive impact for the community,” O’Leary said.

The issue of a new or improved mall has recently been addressed by the City of Ames.

Two groups have studied the marketplace and have determined Ames does need additional space for retail, said Steve Schainker, city manager.

Although North Grand Mall is renovating, there are still talks of a new mall being built in Ames.

“The other group [wanting a new mall] has already hired an architect and engineers,” Schainker said. “They are intending on submitting a plan [to the city] shortly.”

O’Leary said the reason for North Grand Mall’s renovation is not because of possible competition, but he is concerned about the impact of a new mall in Ames.

“[The renovation] really has more to do with providing more space and more choices for our consumer,” he said. “However, we firmly believe that the North Grand Mall project could be negatively affected by another, new enclosed regional mall and feel that there is only room for one mall in the market.”

Not only could North Grand Mall be affected by the construction of a new mall, but other retail stores could also be negatively affected, O’Leary said.

“When a marketplace is over-retailed it has a negative impact on the overall business climate,” O’Leary said. “We have seen this time and again in other markets around the country. It is our hope that the 13th Street project will not move forward. North Grand Mall is here, it has served the community well for more than 30 years and the ownership is committed to this project.”

L&H Real Estate Group believes it has found support in the community.

“I don’t think a new mall will ever get off the ground,” said Amanda Halverson, junior in journalism and mass communication. “I support North Grand because it’s already established and has served Ames well.”

Construction on the North Grand Mall is scheduled to begin in fall 2004 and L&H Real Estate Group hope to have renovations completed in one and a half to three years, O’Leary said.