On Richardson’s west border with Dallas, Dal-Rich Village on Coit Road, is completing a $2+ million renovation with significant façade upgrades for this 110,000 square-foot center. Key tenants include Whole Foods, Jason’s Deli, Dos Rios Mexican food, Starbucks, Thai Soon Restaurant, Mel’s Ice Cream and Blockbuster Video. A former restaurant site was completely renovated and houses new tenant, Big Shuck’s, a Cajun-style Oyster Bar restaurant.

Continuing east on Belt Line to Central Expressway, the Richardson Heights Shopping Center on the southwest corner, has a $3.8M renovation underway. The 200,000 square-foot center was purchased in late 2005 by Dallas area retail developer Steve Shafer of Shafer Properties. Some of Shafer’s projects include Knox Park Village on Central Expressway, Shafer Plaza-Southlake, Shafer Plaza at Preston Lloyd in Plano, Uptown at McKinney St. near downtown Dallas. Shafer began the renovation of this Richardson shopping landmark in June.

Across Central Expressway on the northeast corner is Towne Central, a new retail development by Fobare Commercial and Greenway Investments. Anchored by the Chase Bank Tower, Towne Central will have 3 junior anchor stores facing Central and a retail building facing Main Street/Belt Line. Plans should be approved later this summer.

Farther east on Belt Line at Plano Road, there are 2 major redevelopments are underway. The former University Village, now called Richardson Village, is being developed by Gemini Real Estate Advisors, who purchased the 100.000 square-foot center in 2006. A new LA Fitness will open in late August and a new building wing (18,000 square-feet) extends south. The west wing and a stand-alone building with current tenants, are being remodeled to match the new construction. Three variances (parking, landscape and height) were approved by the city. Construction will be finished by fall of 2007.

Across the street on the southeast corner of Belt Line, the former Richardson Square Mall is being demolished. Simon Group is redeveloping the long time enclosed mall site commencing with a tear down the Dillard’s building and the entire enclosed mall area. A Lowe’s Home Improvement store will be built between the existing Super Target and Sears stores. The current Ross Dress for Less will have its own building next to the Super Target as part of the redevelopment.

These 5 Belt Line projects represent almost $50 million in capital investments for Richardson, and dramatically demonstrate the new vitality and excitement for retail that is unprecedented.