Report: Developer says West Monroe, La., will get shopping center

West Monroe, La. – Real estate developer Gerard Thibodeaux reportedly said that he expects West Monroe, La. to have a long-planned retail shopping center built in the next several years. According to the Monroe News Star, Thibodeaux said a study shows the West Monroe/Monroe trade region, which includes parts of Arkansas and Mississippi, offers 300,000 consumers.



The city of West Monroe reportedly has a list of potential retailers for an anchor store and would prefer a department store/apparel retailer as the anchor. It is estimated the center would generate $100 million in annual retail sales and contribute $2.5 million to the city budget each year.



West Monroe has about 500,000 sq. ft. of retail space available, which Thibodeaux said would require the center to be constructed in several phases. The center would also include a lifestyle center offering non-shopping activities.