Roosevelt Square transforms into Ortega Park
The landscape surrounding the former Roosevelt Square Mall, known until recently as Roosevelt Square, is slowly but surely changing, as the green spaces are transformed and drainage areas are being drained, partially drained and filled in. That’s because the Dewberry Group, developer of the property, plans to more than double the 300,000 square feet of retail space it currently leases.
The retail center is located at 4495 Roosevelt Boulevard and contains a Publix, Stein Mart, Metro Diner, a dentist office and multiple other restaurants and retailers. Dewberry acquired the former mall in 1997 and transformed it into the 300,000-square-foot complex that stands now. However, Dewberry is growing it to almost 700,000 square feet, according to the corporate site. Renderings on the site also show a large multifamily residential apartment or condominium complex, but it wasn’t clear at press time what the plans were as Dewberry did not return multiple requests from The Resident for comment.
What was clear were plans for “Ortega Alley,” which is described as an area of pedestrian engagement. Renderings show a St. Johns Town Center-style shopping experience with breezeways, but also areas for bicyclists.
The shopping center serves Riverside, Avondale and Ortega and is anchored by Publix. The group describes the location as the one of Publix’s top-10 highest grossing stores in the nation. There is also a Stein Mart and Ulta Beauty among many other retailers. Dewberry plans to add upscale retailers and restaurants to the additional space, which will include more freestanding buildings.
Randy DeFoor, City Councilwoman, D-14, was enthusiastic about the expansion. “I am very excited about this project and believe it will a wonderful addition to our community,” she said.
RLH Construction LLC is handling construction of the new space as well as the transformation of the greenspaces within the parking lot. RLH Vice President Brandon Conaway said that RLH is building the retail spaces and is also doing façade renovations and site upgrades but declined to go into more detail.
Dewberry has renovated and redeveloped the complex twice before the current project, in 1999 and 2003. Roosevelt Square was built nearly 60 years ago as an enclosed shopping mall.
By Jennifer Edwards
Resident Community News
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