Independence Mall change could begin this year

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — For the first time the new owners of Independence Mall spoke about their plans for the Wilmington retail center.

The Executive Vice President of Development for Rouse Properties, Eric Dinenberg, spoke at the Wilmington Biz Conference and Expo Thursday.

The mall is going to be renovated with some sections removed to allow for indoor and outdoor shops and restaurants. Accessibility and convenience are two concepts Rouse Properties want with the new center, but no word yet on which tenants will stay and which will leave.

“We think there’s a need for a balance between traditional department stores and some of these new uses, some of these different operations and you’ll see that with this project,” Dinenberg said.

The Sears section will be demolished and Dinenberg said they are still working with tenants. An announcement on who the tenants will be should be out soon.