Development/Redevelopment

Huntington Beach, Calif. -- BJ's Restaurants on Tuesday announced the opening of its newest restaurant in Tyler, Texas on Feb. 28.

The new, 8,000-sq.-ft. BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse is the newest addition to the 650,000-sq.-ft. Broadway Square Mall.

According to Jerry Deitchle, chairman and CEO of BJ’s, the company is on track to open as many as 12 to 13 new restaurants during 2011 and currently has six new restaurants under construction for planned openings later this year.

Paducah, Ky. -- Youngstown, Ohio-based Cafaro Co. said that A&K Construction, based in Paducah, Ky., will serve as general contractor for the multi-million-dollar renovation of Kentucky Oaks Mall, also located in Paducah.

A&K Construction will guide the work that will transform the look of the 28-year-old mall, with new entrance features, ceiling treatments, skylights, upgraded flooring, energy efficient lighting and HVAC systems, modernized public restrooms and other amenities.

West Chester, Ohio -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has begun construction to renovate Beckett Commons shopping center, located in West Chester, Ohio.

The center remodel will include demising vacant space into six additional side shop spaces, new exterior façade and awnings, upgraded signage, new roof and HVAC units.

New York City -- Forest City Enterprises announced Tuesday that, as part of the company’s succession planning process, current president and CEO Charles A. Ratner will become chairman of the board, and will be succeeded as president and CEO by David J. LaRue, currently executive VP and COO.

The changes will be effective following Forest City's annual meeting of shareholders on June 10.

Ossining, N.Y. -- Tarrytown, N.Y.-based Infill Development, LLC, affiliate of DLC Management Corp., announced the groundbreaking of a new development project in Ossining, N.Y. A stand-alone Walgreens will be constructed on the site of a former strip center, a New York State Brownfields site which is scheduled to undergo demolition shortly.

The new 9,483-sq.-ft. Walgreens store is slated to open in the fourth quarter of 2011.

South Bend, Ind. -- Indianapolis-based Kite Realty Group announced that Urban Outfitters will open at Eddy Street Commons at Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.

The retailer has leased 8,627 sq. ft. and is part of a newly developed mixed-use development that consists of a large book store, hotel, several unique restaurants and other apparel stores.

Urban Outfitters is scheduled to open late this summer.

Atlanta -- Columbia, S.C.-based Edens & Avant said that Seed Kitchen & Bar will open at its Merchant’s Walk retail redevelopment, located in the East Cobb area of Atlanta.

Baltimore -- Power Plant Live! and The Cordish Cos. announced that entertainment concepts PBR Baltimore and The Baltimore Comedy Factory will host grand openings the first two weekends in March.

These latest downtown destinations join the recently opened Tatu Asian Grill in what will be a series of high-profile additions to Power Plant Live!, part of a multi-million dollar renovation and expansion of the project (going on its 12th year of operations).

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Woolbright Development announced that it has appointed Geoff Higginbotham as director of accounting.

Higginbotham is responsible for the monthly, quarterly and annual financial reporting for the company’s wholly owned assets and partnerships. He was previously corporate controller for Turnberry Associates in Aventura, Fla.

Retailer demand for new locations is up across the board, according to ChainLinks Retail Advisors’ just-released National Retailer and Restaurant Expansion Guide. The report details the current expansion plans for hundreds of the largest U.S. retail and restaurant chains.

“As 2010 came to a close, growth plans were up 30% from the levels we recorded last year,” said ChainLinks’ research director, Garrick Brown,/ Right now, expansion plans are up 40% over last year’s levels.”