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Retail Buzz: Building Permits Shed Light on 'Fountains' Tenants

Ann Taylor Loft, Barriga’s Added to List of Possible Retailers for Center

A search of the City of El Paso’s E-Permit site is helping to uncover some additional retailers that may be headed to the future Fountains at Farah shopping center. Various permits issued by the City, such as for plumbing and electrical work, have tenant names attached to them.

Adding to the list of previously rumored stores and restaurants, the newest revelations come as the center continues on its march to completion with a planned opening date of October 2013. Clear progress has been made on the Promenade area of the Fountains, which will contain most of the lifestyle elements found at the site, according to developer Centergy Retail of Dallas.

Ann Taylor Loft, or simply Loft (loft.com), may add a new location at the center which would be the first in El Paso.  Loft has 516 stores throughout the country and operates under the Ann Inc. corporate banner. Ann Inc. has nearly one thousand stores nationwide averaging around 5,700 square feet each. The retailer maintains both Ann Taylor and Loft outlet stores at the Outlet Shoppes at El Paso.

Tyler, Texas-based Cavender’s Boot City (cavenders.com) could also be opening up this fall at the Fountains at Farah. The seller of western clothing, boots, and accessories operates over 40 stores, all hundreds of miles to the east of El Paso.

Work Begins this Month on San Jacinto Improvements

Plaza Will Close for 18 Months

The long awaited renovation of San Jacinto Plaza will begin this month. That’s according to the City’s Engineering and Construction Management Department. An open house was held in June which presented the City’s final plan to the public.

The City's master plan for San Jacinto Plaza. (facebook.com/EPTXEngineering)

The plan includes many of the same amenities promoted throughout its different phases, including more shade trees, sidewalk benches, and an outdoor café with an adjacent seating area. Chess and game tables will be added as well as a horseshoe pit.

This rendering shows the center of the park, including the reflecting pool and "Sunner's Plaza." 

Also included will be a "splash deck" with interactive water features, an arroyo that runs underneath a walkway in the southeastern quadrant, and a central stage overlooking the reflecting pool/sculpture area in the center of the park.

TI:ME at Montecillo Reveals Two Tenants

Shopping Center Hints at Retailers on Facebook

(facebook.com/TimeAtMontecillo)

Two recent postings on the Facebook page for the upcoming TI:ME at Montecillo "non-traditional" shopping  center have revealed possible tenants that may occupy space when the center opens.

The pictures simply say "TI:ME at Montecillo Welcomes" with a logo for the potential new tenant situated below the wording. One picture on the site is for HommeWork (hommework.com), a clothing boutique currently located on Stanton Street in the Cincinnati entertainment area near UTEP.

The second possible tenant is Modern Hookah (facebook.com/ModernHookah) which currently shares its address with The Garden restaurant and nightclub in downtown El Paso.

No word if these will be additional locations or if a move is planned for either retailer.

Aldea Seeks Frontage Road & Overpass Agreement (Updated)

Update: The Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority voted unanimously at its July 10, 2013 meeting to approve the agreement.

Original Story:
Deal May Help Green-Light Construction for SmartCode Project

The final prerequisite that could allow the Aldea SmartCode development to move forward may be settled this week at the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority (CRRMA) meeting. A resolution on the agenda, if approved, could give the developer the green light to begin construction.

The resolution seeks the approval of an agreement between the CRRMA, in coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT), and the City of El Paso, Walmart Stores, and Geltmore Aldea, LLC, the project’s developer, to construct a new interchange and frontage road adjacent to the Aldea property.

The planned frontage road and overpass will provide access to the SmartCode Aldea development. An agreement with the CRRMA and City may mean the project will break ground as planned. (Image modified; Original: aldeaelpaso.com)

Under the agreement, both the City and Geltmore will make contributions towards completion of the project, which will construct the interchange at Interstate 10 and the future Mesa Park Boulevard, about half a mile to the north of Executive Boulevard. 

In addition, a frontage road will be constructed from Executive to Mesa Park. According to schematic drawings included in the resolution, the frontage road will provide multiple access points to the development.