DALLAS — A group of newly opened retail shops is bringing a steady stream of customers to Red Bird Mall in Dallas.
Foot Locker, Foot Action, and Champs recently opened in a new 20,000 square foot building outside the mall. The shops have polished concrete floors, high ceilings, and a high-end loft-style environment.
It’s part of the ongoing and historic renovation project, giving new life to making RedBird a major mixed-use development.
"What I appreciate most about it, is when you go into those stores, they are gorgeous," Peter Brodsky said.
Brodsky owns RedBird. He said the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t stopped construction.
“It was deemed essential,” Brodsky explained. “We’re taking all precautions, but we’re making a ton of progress.”
Phase one of what is to be a one-acre green space at RedBird is completed. A Frost Bank branch will soon open. The mall is also making huge progress on construction of a new apartment complex, and clinics for UT Southwestern and Parkland.
The reality around RedBird has been challenging for some of the mall’s retailers. On the operations side, the COVID-19 crisis forced some of the mom and pop businesses to shut down for one month.
“The vast majority of them are back open now,” Brodsky said. “And mall traffic is pretty good.”
The construction, traffic, and new interest around the property has been noticeable.
“People are coming to the mall, looking, and driving through," said District 8 Councilman Tennell Atkins.
Dallas City Council members recently approved a $3 million infrastructure package for RedBird. Atkins calls the investment a positive public-private partnership.
“It’s been proven that jobs is coming there, but it also you’ll be able to live there, have restaurants there, eat there, play, entertain," said Atkins.
The team at RedBird said it is optimistic 2020 will be a year about construction and delivering on the promises it’s made to tenants and to the community.
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