Cameron officials say the aquarium would be built by US AquariumTeam, and would hold 1.5 million gallons with up to 300 species ofup to 15,000 fish. Also, the officials revealed three more parts ofthe project: Syracuse, NY-based Widewaters Group Inc. will buildand operate the hotel, and two more retailers, Urban Active andStudio Movie Grill, have signed on. The Lexington, KY-based UrbanActive company has almost 30 family-gym locations, and it willbring a 47,000-sf development here. The eight-screen theaterspecializes in dinner-during-the-movie presentations, and will take37,000 sf.

A Cameron spokesman says the mall was failing, but the companyrealized the area still has a strong retail draw. His firm boughtthe site and allowed the city to perform a needed culvert expansionon the land, he says. After several incarnations of plans, the newdesign was formed, with up to $105 million of the project's costscoming from state and local incentives. "This is a well-establishedtrade area," the spokesman tells GlobeSt.com. "This area serveswell-heeled residents from Country Club Hills and MissionHills."

He says the focus of the retail will be for about 40-to-50stores, and four junior anchors. "We want to provide all thebasics, such as electronics and sporting goods stores, but it's notgoing to include like a 90,000-sf Kohl's or JC Penney's," he says."We think this would be a great opportunity to mix in nationalplayers along with some local icons, to bring in some uniquetenants that are from the Kansas City area."