OKLAHOMA CITY-CBL & Associates Properties Inc. has formed ajoint venture with Horizon Group Properties Inc. to develop TheOutlet Shoppes at Oklahoma City. The 350,000-square-foot project isnow under construction, and when completed in summer 2011, it willbe the only outlet center in the state and within a 145-mileradius.

The Outlet Shoppes at Oklahoma City marks Chattanooga, TN-basedCBL’s entry into the world of outlet centers, according to MichaelLebovitz, executive vice president of development andadministration. “We’ve always watched [the outlet center sector]and thought it could be a potential growth area for us,” he tellsGlobeSt.com. “As lines have blurred between traditional and outletretail, we felt this project was a great opportunity for us.”

CBL and North Shores, MI-based Horizon have both contributedequity to the project and are co-developing it. Horizon isresponsible for leasing and management.