Development/Redevelopment

New York City -- The Maine House on Wednesday voted to effectively repeal the Informed Growth Act, a law that was enacted four years ago to protect Maine's downtown business districts from big-box stores, The Portland Press Herald reported.

The vote, while a preliminary one, followed an impassioned debate about the character of Maine's traditional downtowns and whether Wal-Mart and other large national chains have hurt local businesses or have helped them by attracting more people to communities, the report said.

New York City -- Wal-Mart Stores said that by the end of the year it will have invested the equivalent of approximately $756 million to expand its operations in Brazil.

Marcos Samaha, president of Wal-Mart's Brazilian subsidiary, said in a Tuesday statement that 1.2 billion reals ($755 million) will be used to build 80 stores, renovate existing locations and improve logistics.

Indianapolis -- Hhgregg announced that it will open a 31,000-sq.-ft. store in Myrtle Beach, S.C., on May 5.

Like all Hhgregg locations, the new Myrtle Beach store will showcase over 100 digital TVs and has more than 500 major appliances in stock every day.

New York City -- SuperValu plans to increase the footprint of its value division Save-A-Lot by 160 new stores this year, GlobeSt.com reported.

“This past year we added 92 net Save-A-Lot stores, and this fiscal year we’re looking to add another 160 net stores,” a spokesman said, according to the report.

Stratham, N.H. -- The Timberland Co. on Friday will open a new store in San Francisco, in San Francisco Centre. Designed to reflect the company's long-standing commitment to sustainability, the 2,300 sq. ft. space is one of the brand's most eco-conscious stores to-date. In a first for Timberland, the sales floor is lit entirely with reduced-wattage LED lighting.

North Plainfield, N.J. -- Levin Management Corp. announced it has promoted Harold Harris from VP to senior VP, effective immediately.

Harris joined Levin as controller in 1985 and was named CFO in 1990. Responsible for all aspects of finance and lease administration for the company’s management portfolio, Harris also oversees real estate tax and financing reviews, human resources, and risk management.
 

Woodland Hills, Calif. -- Landmark Retail Group, a subsidiary of NewMark Merrill Cos., announced the appointment of Lauren Wooding as a new project manager for the company.

Wooding is responsible for overseeing LandMark’s development projects in Northern California. She was previously VP operations and project manager for Aventine Development Corp./Tricor Southwest Corp.
 

Vancouver, Wash. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased retail space to Pita Pit and Yolicous, which will open in a 2,032-sq.-ft. space this summer at Orchard Market Center, Phase II, located in Vancouver, Wash.

The 178,000-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by Wholesale Sports and LA Fitness, alongside national retailers such as Jo-Ann, Office Depot, Petco and Starbucks.

Granada Hills, Calif. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers announced that it has leased nearly 39,000 sq. ft. of retail space in Granada Hills, Calif., at Granada Village to two additional anchors, HomeGoods and Petco.

HomeGoods has leased 27,500 sq. ft. and is slated to open in spring 2012. This is the first store in the market for this home furnishings retailer with the next closest location eight miles away.

Petco is scheduled to open in 11,350 sq. ft. this fall.

Greenville, S.C. -- Seattle-based Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) announced it will open its first store in South Carolina this fall, in Greenville.

The one-story, 22,000-sq.-ft. store will also feature a community space for REI and its local partners to hold outdoor-related classes, presentations and events.