Elk Grove Promenade Mall to Become Outlet Mall (Updated)

The long-delayed mall in southern Elk Grove will be converted to an outlet mall format, according to a the developer's website.

As was first mentioned in a post on ElkGrove-Laguna.net forums and a blog on this site, a page on the Howard Hughes Corporation website now describes the Elk Grove Promenade Mall as "The Outlet Collection at Elk Grove."

Elk Grove spokeswoman Christine Brainerd said city staff have been briefed on the change.

"City staff and council members have met with representatives from the Howard Hughes Corporation within the last week and received an update about the new format for the Promenade site," Brainerd said.

A Howard Hughes Corporation flier lists the total amount of retail space for the new outlet mall format at around 570,000 square feet–half of the originally planned 1.1 million square feet. The Howard Hughes Corporation has not yet returned a call from Elk Grove Patch.

Brainerd said the city and its Economic Development staff will work with the developers to promote the mall and attract "high quality retailers."

"There's an untapped market for high-quality retail in Elk Grove and a demand for retail," she said. "We've seen over the last year there has been an increase in high-quality retailers moving to Elk Grove, including DSW Shoes, the Fresh Market and Hobby Lobby, to name a few."

Elk Grove Mayor Gary Davis said he thinks the outlet idea is interesting.

"I am intrigued by the notion of an upscale outlet mall," Davis said in an email. "Especially if it were to be sort of a hybrid - with a movie theater, restaurants, and other entertainment. Given the recent increase in retail stores coming to Elk Grove, I think it would do well."

But, he said, "the details matter."

"And, we need to ensure any new proposal is vetted through the public process."

The Sacramento Bee cites Davis as saying the mall, which was originally scheduled to open in 2008, could open in 2015.

Here's how the Howard Hughes Corporation now describes the mall:

Located sixteen miles from the state’s capital in one of the fastest-growing suburban Sacramento areas, The Outlet Collection at Elk Grove is ideally positioned to benefit from excellent access and visibility along SH-99. Limited outlet competition and lack of shopping malls in the area will enable the center to serve as the primary retail destination in the region. The open-air feel of the center will embrace California’s lifestyle with modern, eclectic architecture, glass and native materials, and appeal to the drivers and passengers in the more than 153,000 vehicles traveling past the property daily.

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