The makeover of Casa Linda Plaza is expected to be complete by June, said Steve Hefner, vice president for the Dallas region of AmReit, which owns the shopping center. AmReit hopes that the Texas Department of Transportation will have completed the construction at Buckner Blvd. and Garland Road by then as well. The road construction includes designated right-turn lanes and improved medians.
Renovations to the 64-year-old shopping center and East Dallas landmark include rebuilding some of the tile rooftops to keep with the plaza’s original Spanish revival style, new towers on each of the plaza’s three corners, new awnings and new lighting and decorative balconies. AmReit also is adding benches, bike racks, landscaping and signs. The company restored the plaza’s signature clock, which is now working. The company plans to replicate the old Casa Linda Theatre sign, which has started to fall apart. AmReit owns the theater sign, even though SC Companies owns the theater. Hefner declined to say how much the company has spent on the project, which has been underway for a little more than a year.
Another Broken Egg Cafe opened recently, and there are some new retail and restaurant tenants expected. Normally, AmReit would announce new lease signings, Hefner said. "But given today’s economy," the company wants to wait until its tennants’ business plans are underway.
