MALL MAKEOVER Almost $5 million in renovations to Volusia Mall set to wrap up in October

The Volusia Mall in Daytona Beach is undergoing a multi-million-dollar renovation that will include a redesigned food court, new restrooms, new paint and flooring, new furniture and a new Garfield-themed childrens play area.

DAYTONA BEACH Almost $5 million in renovations to the Volusia Mall its first major face-lift in 18 years should be completed by Halloween, mall officials say.

Since beginning work in March, construction crews have passed several milestones in the $4.68 million project, such as renovating the malls public restrooms and installing new light fixtures in the food court, said Wayne Bohl, the malls general manager.

Workers are now turning their attention to the remaining tile and carpeting work, columns in the malls hallways, and redesigning the shopping centers food court and west entrances, Bohl said.

Were pleased with the way things are going, Bohl said. It is going very smoothly.

Building crews work after the mall closes at night. Roughly 80 workers are usually on site at one time, Bohl said.

At 1.1 million square feet, Volusia Mall is the Volusia-Flagler areas largest retail center. The mall at 1700 W. International Speedway Blvd. houses more than 120 stores and restaurants.

The project is the 40-year-old malls first major renovation since it added a food court in 1996. After the renovations are completed, the mall will have new flooring throughout the common areas, redesigned columns, revamped entrances, new light fixtures, repainted areas, new furniture and a new Garfield-themed childrens play area, among other amenities.

CBL & Associates Properties, the Chattanooga, Tennessee-based company that owns the mall, is paying for the renovation. CBL bought the mall for $119 million in 2004.

Eighteen companies,14 of which are from the Volusia-Flagler area, are working as subcontractors on the project, said David Haught, lead superintendent for EMJ Construction, the projects general contractor. The renovation work has required the services of more than 180 workers, and 119 of them are based in the Volusia-Flagler area, he said.

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MALL MAKEOVER Almost $5 million in renovations to Volusia Mall set to wrap up in October