Though the panel specifically addressed the replacement ofRobinsons-May stores, centers around the country are facing emptyanchors because of department-store consolidation. Developers areusing a variety of methods to fill the space.

"Recent options include tearing down and subdividing the space,transforming the space into another use, or replacing it withanother big box," said panel moderator Marios Savopoulos, aprincipal at Perkowitz + Ruth Architects, Long Beach, CA.

Which option to use isn't solely a developer's decision, saidpanelist Emerick Corsi, executive vice president with Forest CityEnterprises, Cleveland.<P."A lot of things go back into thedecision-making, including the financing, the reciprocal easementagreements and the cotenancies tied to the anchors," he said. Themunicipality, too, often is a factor if public monies helped builda project.