You're going to see some substantial changes at Crossroads Plaza in the near future.
Plaza managers are planning to replace the three-screen movie theater complex with seven auditoriums, all with stadium seating. They also plan an IMAX theater on the third floor of the mall.Crossroads Plaza manager Dave Neilson said negotiations with IMAX are at the letter-of-intent stage, and that design work for the seven-screen theater complex is under way. The complex would be where the existing one is, with some expansion.
"Obviously, we won't be able to be as large as some other complexes throughout the valley," he said.
Target date for completion is mid- to late 2001.
The mall is also looking for ways to open up the large, blank wall on its east side facing Main Street, perhaps with a bank of windows, or dressing it up in some other way.
"We kind of feel that's a big, white face," Neilson said. "We're continually looking at it to make it more attractive."
Other plans include an additional 11/3 levels of parking, reconfiguration of
the parking space and renovation of the blue facades over the entrances to spiff up the place prior to the 2002 Winter Games.
The Gap has expressed interest in locating one of its new Gap 2000 stores in Crossroads, as well as related stores like Baby Gap.
"We have discussed the Gaps," Neilson said. "We'd love to have them if we can find the space."
Another possible change is replacing the current Gap with a Banana Republic store.
One persistent rumor is that Mervyn's California is going to close its Crossroads Plaza store and move to the suburbs. However, Neilson and Mervyn's store manager Jane Hofhine said there's no truth to that.
"There have been rumors of Mervyn's leaving since they came into the market six years ago," Neilson said. "If it was imminent, I would think I would hear it."
Mervyn's is contractually committed to operating its Crossroads store through the middle of this year, as well as paying rent -- whether or not the store remains -- for 10 more years.