Developers plan to renovate the Meadows Plaza Shopping Center, sometimes referred to as Meadows Mall, to bring new businesses such as Marshalls and Five Below to Freeport. (Photo provided by city of Freeport)
    From news release
    Rock River Current

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    FREEPORT — Developers plan to renovate the Meadows Mall to bring new businesses and new activity to the shopping center.

    The mall, also known as Meadows Plaza, at 1888 S. West Ave., will undergo more than $11 million in renovations to accommodate new retailers, a new dog park and expanding and relocating existing tenants. The shopping center will be renamed The Meadows.

    Freeport IL, the limited liability corporation behind the redevelopment, said its bringing Marshalls, Five Below, Pet Supplies Plus and others to the shopping center. The project has been in discussion since 2016.

    “Without Doug and Mark Winters, the former owners, this project wouldn’t be possible. They were helpful in the transition and selective with who would transition ownership for this redevelopment,” Victor Baeten, managing member of Freeport IL, said in a news release. “After 20 years of owning the center and being local residents themselves, they want the best for Freeport.”

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    Developers say the closing of JCPenney provided additional retail space to entice new tenants, and the pending opening of Hy-Vee grocery added more incentive.

    “Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the city had been in talks with Marshalls to bring them to Freeport. Talks cooled down when the pandemic hit,” City Manager Randy Bukas said in a news release. “We are thankful that the developer of this project was able to retain Marshalls’ interest.”

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    This rendering shows the proposed completed renovations to the Meadows Plaza Shopping Center. (Photo provided by city of Freeport)

    Hy-Vee purchased the former Kmart building last year and has demolished the structure to make way for its new store.

    “Since they own the parcel, we have no control over when they would open,” Baeten said. “We have been in touch with their team and hope that they see the progress happening within our center and open sooner than later.”

    Marshalls and Five Below are anticipated to open by mid-November, prior to the holiday season and Black Friday, according to a news release. Pet Supplies Plus will open by mid-2023 and additional retail tenants follow in the final two vacant spaces.

    JK Salon will move from its existing space near the southern end of the shopping center to a combination of spaces on the north end between Bronzed Image and Cricket Wireless. That move is expected to happen later this year or early 2023.

    “We’re excited for the opportunity,” Baeten said. “Twelve to eighteen months from now this shopping center will look totally different and have new life in it.”

    Also, Anytime Fitness plans to expand its space by over 50%, and the space will have some natural light entering the building.

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    Muddy Paws Pet Services will remain open and will soon merge within Pet Supplies Plus, a full line pet store offering food, supplies, treats, services such as grooming and public pet wash.

    Pet Supplies Plus will incorporate the existing Muddy Paws Pet Services team and look to further grow the salon team, developers said.

    Mark Williams, executive director of the Greater Freeport Partnership, said Enterprise Zone, tax-increment financing and the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy program were necessary to help developers fund the project.

    “The Greater Freeport Partnership worked with Mr. Baeten, the city of Freeport, and area financial partners to help bring this exciting project to fruition,” he said in a news release. “The complete renovation of the mall will secure retail tenants that are new to the market and fill vacant spaces. We understand the importance of having local, expansive retail choices for the retention and attraction of a talented workforce.”

    Developers say the shopping center will be fully leased by the end of 2023.