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A peek at new Wiregrass mall

Preliminary drawings show a long curved street, flanked by stores, encouraging flow and street activity.

By CHUIN-WEI YAP
Published May 18, 2006

WESLEY CHAPEL - A 10-foot sculpture of a swirly "W" might become one of the most recognizable landmarks in Wesley Chapel by the time the 17-acre, $105-million Shops at Wiregrass mall opens late next year.

That's what would sit at Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and State Road 56, anchoring the southeastern corner of the 5,000-acre development.

On Wednesday, the project's developers, Forest City and the Goodman Co., unveiled a peek at the preliminary sketch plans for the mall's look.

A 2,000-foot curved street runs through the heart of some 80 shops; JCPenney and Dillard's are the only known anchors.

A third major retailer will sit at the center of the arc. Developers on Wednesday would only say it would be a department store along the lines of JCPenney and Dillard's.

Perhaps placed to tantalize Pasco's readers, a Barnes & Noble bookstore sign could be seen in one of the sketches. But it's just part of a standard design piece, developers said, though a Wiregrass B&N is not to be ruled out.

"We're talking to everybody," said John Dowd, Goodman's senior vice president of development.

Mediterranean motifs are expected to speckle earth-toned buildings, drawing lines of sight and shoppers toward a central plaza and fountain - built to evoke a curly "W" - where kids can play.

It's about encouraging flow and street activity.

"Driving in from (SR) 56, you can see the center space, but you can't get to it by car (in a straight line)," said Angelo Carusi of the architecture firm Cooper Carry.

Cooper Carry also was responsible for the design of Tampa's SunTrust Tower and parts of WestShore Plaza.

[Last modified May 18, 2006, 01:40:19]