Ward's closed in January 2001. The outdoor development willinclude a new entranceway and glass-tower atriums, restaurant,large-format bookstore, a cafe and other stores. The mall isspending $17 million to $20 million on the new development andinterior renovations.

Drew Barkett, executive vice president for Florida-basedTurnberry Associates, the Flint Township mall's marketing agency,says the project remains on track, despite missing the summerbuilding season following a May announcement. "We're justfine-tuning the deal," Barkett says. "We're real gung-ho. We'regoing to have a lot of quality tenants that are first-timers tothis market."

Barket says final negotiations with tenants are underway andmall officials should announce the stores soon. Barkett previouslyhad announced that Talbot's likely would move from a nearbylocation to the new development, but other tenants remainundisclosed.