Goodyear targets 2014 for mall

Phoenix-based developer Westcor will begin construction of the Estrella Falls mall as early as 2012, and the long-awaited regional mall is expected to open in 2014, Goodyear officials said Wednesday.

Construction of the mall has been delayed three times. The Goodyear City Council approved the most recent delay in 2009, when Westcor said tenants were reluctant to commit to an opening date.

Westcor paid Goodyear about $1.3 million in plan-review and permit fees in exchange for an extension into 2014. The company would have had to pay Goodyear $1.25 million this year if the project were stalled any longer.


"Westcor has confirmed for us that Estrella Falls mall will be here in Goodyear in 2014," said John Fischbach, Goodyear city manager. "We're expecting that construction will get started next year."

Macerich, Westcor's California-based parent company, announced the move last week.

"We will, in fact, be developing in that Arizona marketplace because the time will be right for us to do it," Macerich said in a statement.

"By the end of this year, we will pull the trigger on our Goodyear development."

The mall is planned northwest of McDowell Road and Bullard Avenue.

Previous plans included tenants such as Dillard's, Macy's and Harkins Theatres.

Westcor officials declined to comment on tenant commitments.

Karen Maurer, a Westcor representative, said the company would not disclose retail companies until nearly a year before the project's completion.

Estrella Falls mall is projected to have about 1.2 million square feet of retail space.

by Eddi Trevizo The Arizona Republic Feb. 17, 2011 12:00 AM





Goodyear targets 2014 for mall