Two of Odessa's growing retail hubs will add businesses in the coming months that include a new cocktail lounge, a new version of a popular restaurant and a big-box pet store as building along the rapidly growing corridor keeps apace despite a downturn in oil and gas activity.

Construction workers at the Parks Legado Town Center on Tuesday continued building two new additions that developer Collin Sewell said should open this summer.

One is an expansion of Cork and Pig into an adjacent suite of the retail strip. Called Cork and Pig Market, the new restaurant will focus on take-out items such as pizza and caf-style dining.

The restaurant, more than 1,900 square feet, should open as early as May, Sewell said.

The other development is a new cocktail lounge, Proof, targeting a June 4 grand opening in a more than 2,400-square-feet space on the opposite side of the town center.

The idea is for an upscale bar offering craft beers and a cocktail menu while disallowing smoking and blaring music, said Colby Brazile, one of several local partners behind the project. He is also building the interior through his firm Brazile Design and Construction. There will also be an "etiquette" guideline that includes a dress code.

"We are invested in this, and we don't want to turn it into just a bar," Brazile said. "We are trying to make it a nice environment. It's going to be a wonderful place for people to visit and come have an evening cocktail before dinner or after dinner.

The business will have two mixologists and 15 servers for a capacity of about 100 patrons, Brazile said. Dallas bartenders are helping to develop the lounge.

Building permits showed initial estimates for both of the Parks Legado interior build-outs in the $300,000-to-$350,000 range.

Further west, a big-box mattress store is joining Chimney Rock. City records detail a more than $1.4 million permit for a shell building and another $1.5 million permit for tenant improvements at the same address. So far, a concrete shell is underway.

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191 Retail Round-up: A new bar, Cork-and-Pig Market, and a new Petco

Plans have been submitted for a Speke retail park development which could create 1,000 jobs.

A consultation was held last month to gather residents views on expansion of The New Mersey Shopping Park to include a new cinema, restaurants and more shops.

Bosses at the retail park say feedback was overwhelmingly positive and have now submitted their official application for the plans to Liverpool council.

Neil Ashcroft, New Mersey Shopping Parks centre manger, said: This planning application represents a significant investment in the shopping park and will continue the recent investment in, and regeneration of, the Speke area. Our shoppers are keen to see a new cinema and an improved restaurant offer, which will transform the shopping park into an attractive retail and leisure destination for this area of the city.

If approved, the plans could see New Mersey Shopping Park become the second largest employer in south Liverpool with over 2,000 people working on the park following completion of the works.

The parks expansion would create 600 full and part-time retail jobs and 390 construction jobs.

New images of what the New Mersey Retail Park in Speke expansion could look like

As well as creating new jobs, the proposals will see:

A new multiscreen Cineworld cinema and six restaurants

New shop frontages and public areas to improve the look of the shopping park

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Speke retail park plans could create 1,000 new jobs for Liverpool

REcord File photo

Westfield Garden State Plaza, the state's largest mall, had an occupancy rate at the end of 2014 that was better than the national average.

Construction of malls and new retail space screeched to a halt during the recession, and now, as a result of that, along with an improving economy, U.S. malls and shopping centers are enjoying their lowest vacancy rates in years, according to a report released Monday.

The report, by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries (NCREIF), found that the mall occupancy rate was 94.2 percent at the end of 2014, the best level since the fourth quarter of 1987. Shopping centers - a category that includes all non-mall properties - ended 2014 with a 92.7 percent occupancy rate, the highest rate since the second quarter of 2008.

Westfield Garden State Plaza, the state's largest mall, had an occupancy rate at the end of 2014 that was better than the national average. As reported by its parent company, Westfield Corp., The Plaza was 97.1 percent leased at the end of 2014. Its 2014 sales per square foot, at $776, were 63 percent higher than the national average of $475.

The other three major malls in North Jersey - The Shops at Riverside in Hackensack, Paramus Park in Paramus, and Willowbrook Mall in Wayne - told The Record they do not release that information.

The report, which puts enclosed malls and unenclosed shopping centers in separate categories, also showed that net operating income, rents, and sales increased in 2014. Operating income at malls rose 21.3 percent in 2014 and it rose 8.3 percent at shopping centers. Base rents rose 17.2 percent at malls and 6.5 percent at shopping centers.

"We've seen this constant drumbeat, since the recession, of slow measured growth in all of the metrics as we go quarter by quarter," said Jesse Tron, a spokesman for the ICSC.

Tron said one reason enclosed malls have the best occupancy rates since the late 1980s is that a lot of new mall space was still being built in the late 1980s and the 1990s, and that kept vacancy rates higher. Now, Tron said, "we are at sort of historic lows in terms of the amount of new space that we're bringing to the market." Retailers "are as healthy as they were during peak construction years," he said, "but we're just not adding extra space for them."

The result, he said, "is we're now really seeing those occupancy rates start to climb," he said.

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Mall vacancy rate best its been in 28 years, report says

The construction of Seng Liang Wang Hall of Electrical and Computer Engineering will not only add additional academic space to students but will also give students and faculty a new dining experience.

Coming summer 2015, Another Broken Egg Cafe will be added to the retail space of Wang Hall.

The cafe is a breakfast, brunch and lunch cafe that originated in New Orleans in 1996. The brand has since expanded to approximately 50 locations across the country.

Students may choose to start their day off with a variety of menu items, including the Skinny Omelette made with egg whites, roasted vegetables and goat cheese, or enjoy the Crabcakes Cavallo Benedict with crab, Andouille sausage and house-made hollandaise for dinner.

The Purdue location will be unique in that it will be open for dinner service, said vice president and director of marketing for Hoosier Hospitality Group Peggy Cseresznyes. Whether an early class or an evening study session, guests will be able to enjoy everything on the menu.

The addition of Another Broken Egg Cafe will also play a role in feeding those going to athletic events. Wang Hall is situated on the north end of campus, close to Mackey Arena and Ross-Ade Stadium. The space will include approximately 100 seats, including outside seating.

Along with their extensive menu, guests 21 and over will be able to enjoy a full bar, making it a perfect post-game gathering space. While Another Broken Egg Cafe is planning on offering its standard menu, lower fare student specials will also be added later.

If we had that when I was back in school, we would never have to leave the engineering building, said Purdue College of Engineering alumnus Kevin Liang. Its a great way to let loose after finishing an electric and computer engineering lab.

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Purdue adds cafe to newly-constructed Wang Hall

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. --Luxury lofts, retail stores and office space will soon open in a community on the southwest part of Springfield.

The development sits in Chesterfield Village near James River and Kansas Expressway.

With the addition, business could boom for restaurants and other shops in the village.

A typical Sunday for Madison Grogan includes serving her regulars at Garbo's Pizzeria in the heart of Chesterfield Village.

"I feel like I really know most of the people that come in here," says Grogan.

Grogan says some customers come from all over Springfield, but most eat, work and play near the village.

"We get a lot of families, a lot of repeat customers, you know, a lot of people come in, they want the same thing, same drinks. Its kind of fun, you build a relationship with a lot of the customers."

The 260,000 square foot community is getting a boost with a 52,000 square foot loft set to open next month.

Mike Fusek is the developer of the new Chesterfield Lofts.

"The first floor is office and retail spaces and floors two, three and four high-end, luxury residences."

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New Lofts Could Mean Big Business in Chesterfield Village

The Spokane Womans Club is experiencing what members hope are the first signs of a renaissance for the organization, which has seen its membership decline over the past 30 years. It now is looking to renovate its more than 100-year-old clubhouse on the South Hill, which it also markets as an event center and wedding venue, says Susan Bresnahan, club president.

Today, the 8,000-square-foot brick building is used for member functions and rented to individuals and community groups for activities, classes and events, as well as weddings and receptions. Since the beginning of the year, it also houses a retail space, a small art gallery and a tiny caf on its lower level.

Located at 1428 W. Ninth on the lower South Hill, between Walnut and Cedar streets, the club offers space in its vintage main ballroom, concert hall, and Rose Tea Room for meetings, events, weddings and wedding receptions.

A package deal for the frugal bride includes the use of the entire clubhouse for 10 hours on a Saturday including the use of a large kitchen, setup and take down for up to 125 guests, tables, linens and time for a two-hour wedding rehearsal the night before the big event. The ballroom features a full stage and hardwood floors for dancing. Up to 160 guests can be accommodated for a theater-style wedding without tables. Cost for that bridal package is $1,750.

For smaller weddings or receptions, the concert hall seats 60 in theater style or 50 guests seated at tables, and 100 standing guests. The hall includes an upright piano and small stage, and an efficiency kitchen is available near the space.

Cost for the clubs concert hall is currently $10 an hour for rent during the day, for meetings or luncheons.

Bresnahan says members want to change the image of the club. She says the groups goals are to attract a younger membership to help with its mission of strengthening the community and enhancing the lives of others with volunteer service and leadership development. Bresnahan says new classes, meetings and retail offerings are helping create a new look, and feel for the Womans Club.

We want people to know were not just here having tea parties, Bresnahan says. We do many service projects and we want to engage the community in what were doing.

The club holds meetings in the building once a month, and membership is $50 per full year and $25 for six months. The club offers a discount for qualified nonprofits and club members who want to rent space.

Last August, Bresnahan says membership was at an unprecedented low of 27.

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Spokane Womans Club venue draws more activity, members

Vancouver, BC (PRWEB) March 27, 2015

This month, Fontana Construction will complete construction on a new craft beer brewing facility for the Red Truck Beer Company as a way to encourage tourism and enthusiasm about the local craft beer industry.

This 21,000-square-foot, high-volume brewery located in the heart of Vancouver's downtown will be the third project the Vancouver contractors have completed for the owners of the Red Truck Beer Company, says Construction Manager Bruce Hicks. The space will feature a retail area, tasting room, and an old school diner with a 110-seat capacity including a sun drenched patio. The amazing stainless steel brewhouse (viewable from the diners bar) is complete with a cutting edge bottling, canning, keg filler and packaging line.

The new Red Truck brewery -- and its 75-foot working water tower, in particular -- will likely become an instantly-recognizable icon of Vancouver's skyline, a symbol of the city's heritage as a hub of craft beers, Hicks says.

"Fontana Construction is happy to be involved in projects that aim to preserve Vancouver's heritage and character, as well as to bolster local business in the surrounding areas," he says. "The new brewery is part of the area's 'skyline changing' new builds as well. I could see Red Truck water tower becoming a Vancouver icon ending up in many world travelers' photo collections."

Mark James, President of Red Truck Beer Company, says the choice to enlist Fontana Construction's services for a third time was an easy one to make.

"I have worked with Fontana Construction for the past eight years on three technical and complicated construction projects with multiple and above-average trade coordination complexities," James says. "Fontana provides personalized 'old world service' via hands-on strategic thinking, cost savings, and excellent rapport with ownership and trades. All three projects had successful outcomes and I would not hesitate to recommend Fontana Construction for your next project."

Hicks says the brewery should be open within the next two months.

Ultimately, despite a few challenges along the way, Hicks says he believes Fontana Construction has succeeded at building an outstanding, state-of-the-art craft beer brewery for Red Truck Beer Company.

"A lot of talented people put a lot of hard work into building Red Truck's new brewery," Hicks says. "It makes a person want to sit back and enjoy a beer now that it is done."

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Fontana Construction to Construct New Brewery for Red Truck Beer Company

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) March 26, 2015

Construct-A-Lead, the Construction Industrys most comprehensive construction lead service, reported today that the following Illinois construction projects will have the necessary approvals and will go forward. Businesses will have ample opportunities to provide construction bids and other services relative to these projects. Those interested parties are encouraged to visit construct-a-lead.com and reference the Project ID listed below to obtain direct contact information for each construction lead:

Chicago, IL - 1136-40 S. Wabash Ave - Plans call for the new construction of a 24 story tower with 280 apartments, 84 parking spaces and about 10,000 square feet of ground level retail space, on what is now a surface parking lot. Construction start: Q4, 2015, Q1, 2016, estimated. $64,000,000 Project ID: 1348059

East Peoria, IL Holiday Inn Express - Plans call for a new 4 story hotel with 93 rooms. Construction start: Q2, 2015, $9,000,000. Project ID: 1347659

Libertyville, IL - Advocate Condell Ambulatory Surgery Center Plans call for adding a Multi-specialty ASTC. Construction start: Q4, 2015, Q1, 2016. $10,000,000 Project ID: 1347835

Carol Stream, IL CoreCentric Solutions Plans call for the new construction of a 350,000-square-foot industrial building. Construction start: Q3 2015. $17,500,000 Project ID: 1348196

New Lenox, IL - CVS Plans call for the new construction of a 20,000 SF CVS store. Construction start: Q1, 2016, estimated. $1,800,000 Project ID: 1348186

Urbana, IL University of Illinois - Plans call for the new construction of a medical school campus to be independent of the existing College of Medicine in Chicago. Construction start: Q2, Q3, 2015. $100,000,000 Project ID: 1347877

Construct-A-Lead.com is an online construction projects database, helping contractors, service providers, manufacturers, distributors, suppliers and businesses in related industries gain information on all large scale commercial construction projects. The service features hotel construction, office buildings, retail construction, medical facilities, school renovations and much more, to help bid on construction including those hard-to-find private project leads, from planning stage through completion. Construct-A-Leads daily updates of commercial construction project leads are an ideal solution for those who want to put their product or service into commercial, government and religious structures.

For more information on upcoming construction projects to bid in your area, visit Construct-A-Lead.com online or call 855-874-1491.

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Construct-A-Lead reported today that the following Illinois construction projects will have the necessary approvals ...

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Courtesy of James C. Lewis The Carlisle, a 36-condo mixed-use building shown here, is planned at the southeast corner of Central and Carlisle SE, now occupied by a small former car wash converted to retail use.

A three-story, 36-condo building to be called The Carlisle with parking and some retail is expected to break ground in the next 35-40 days at the southeast corner of Central and Carlisle SE in the center of Nob Hill.

Veteran Albuquerque builder and developer Kenny Hinkes, who described the buildings architectural style as New Orleans meets Hollywood, said the $8.2 million construction project is aimed primarily at baby boomers who want to move down in size without moving down in quality.

The lot at 3600 Central SE was formerly occupied by a car wash that was converted to shop space with a sloped parking lot. After the current tenant, Ascension Body Modification, relocates April 1 to 1916 Central SE, it will be leveled to create whats often called a garden level, built into the hillside, that will have a 43-space parking structure and 2,000 square feet of retail space.

The upper two stories will have 38,000 square feet of residential condos built in a U shape around a garden courtyard. Although square footages are not yet available, the condos will all be two bedroom/two bath with balconies or patios and separate storage. The building will have a common rooftop patio for residents.

The Carlisle will be just downhill and north of Immanuel Presbyterian Church at 114 Carlisle SE, which was consulted by Hinkes early in his planning process.

Were all for it, said David Cameron, Immanuels pastor. We were hoping something good would happen at that corner. The project will build residential density and create more foot traffic in the neighborhood.

Hinkes has developed both commercial and residential condominiums in Albuquerque, including the three-story, 26-unit residential condo building at 110 Richmond SE, less than a half-mile west of The Carlisle.

Built in 2008 and completed in spring 2009, 110 Richmond went through a lull during the real estate slump but sold out in 2013, Hinkes said.

See more here:
New condos planned for the heart of Nob Hill

Garrick Brown

DTZs preliminary statistics for the first quarter of 2015 indicate that North Bay shopping center vacancy fell over the first three months of the year and now stand at just 3.8 percent, compared with 4.2 percent at the close of 2014.

And assuming that these numbers hold through the remainder of the quarter it does not end until March 31 it would mark the second consecutive quarter of falling vacancy levels in the North Bay.

Our survey covers shopping centers in Marin, Napa and Sonoma counties, all of which continue to face significant imbalances between supply and demand. The average asking rent for retail space in the region is currently $22.73 per square foot (psf) on an annual triple-net basis.

This number is up significantly from $19.20 psf a year ago. But we should note that because it covers all sizes and classes of availability, it is useful only as a benchmark. The average asking rate in the region of currently available small shop space (3,000 square feet or less) is $26.05 psf (up from $21.08 a year ago). But this number skyrockets for the rare class A listing that comes to market or for new construction, rental rates for both of which have routinely topped $60.00 psf.

The great challenge facing the market as a whole is that there is not enough available space to sate retailer demand. We are tracking increased space requirements from most retail categories from food users to hard-goods chains that are looking to expand in the North Bay to capitalize on the regions booming economy and the areas rock-solid consumer demographics. But with a sub-4 percent vacancy rate, little remains in the way of quality space and what little does become available moves quickly. Meanwhile, rents continue to skyrocket.

This is actually resulting in some chains foregoing local expansion and, instead, focusing on growth elsewhere. This shows in the regions occupancy-growth statistics. We are currently tracking just 83,000 square feet of occupancy growth since the beginning of the year. There simply isnt anywhere left to grow.

The North Bay recorded 227,000 square feet of occupancy growth in 2014. Sonoma County led the region in terms of growth with 269,000 square feet. Napa County growth was flat, while Marin lost occupancy last year.

So is demand hot in Sonoma, flat in Napa and cold in Marin? Not at all. The 4.4 percent vacancy level we are tracking in Marin consists almost entirely of older product average age, 45. Napa Valleys inventory is much more current average age, 28 but this market has even tighter vacancy, just 2.2 percent.

Only in Sonoma County are we seeing growth, because only there are we seeing new construction. We are tracking 88,000 square feet of development underway in Sonoma County all of which is already leased and an additional 250,000 square feet of shopping center space in planning that will begin construction in 2015.

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North Bay retail has little room to grow