Grand Island Chamber of Commerce committed to being a source of information, updates on the Conestoga Marketplace redevelopment

Drawing in over 250,000 shoppers to the community per year, Grand Island has long held the reputation of being a retail hub for outstate Nebraska – a title the community is proud of due to its positive impact that carries on to other areas of the local economy.

When visitors come to Grand Island to patronize the retail establishments, they are also likely to dine at local restaurants, fill their cars with gas, access other professional services, and possibly stay the night at a hotel. The success of the retailers in Grand Island can have a direct impact on the success of the rest of the community.

“It really behooves Grand Island to ensure that we retain our standing as a retail hub,” Grand Island Chamber President Cindy K. Johnson said. “If our retail draw shrinks, it wouldn’t be surprising to see that impact carried out through other factions of our economic environment.”

In recent years, Johnson believes Grand Island has fallen behind. With the increased comfortability of online shopping, likely due to COVID-19, the retail market has experienced a decline. But Johnson stresses that online shopping doesn’t grow a community and doesn’t foster an active, diverse retail environment.

“Having an active retail environment says something about our community. It says that we care. It says that we are invested. It says that we are going to meet our resident’s and the area’s needs for shopping options,” Johnson said. “A dilapidated mall also says something about Grand Island. It says we’re not committed to ensuring the retail component of our economy is strong and vibrant.”

For these reasons, private developers, city officials and the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, started discussing the state of the current mall and the potential of a redeveloped site. The group made a conscious decision that modifications to the current mall were necessary for growth. When the mall’s previous owners placed the property for sale, key officials sought out potential developers to gauge their interest. Woodsonia Real Estate was one of the companies contacted.

The vision for the Conestoga Mall redevelopment, now renamed the “Conestoga Marketplace”, is a $220 million project with outward facing stores, eating and entertainment options, along with a hotel and housing. Several of the retailers in the current Conestoga Mall renewed their leases and are continuing operations amidst the construction. Some have relocated to other sites during the construction process and will return to the Conestoga Marketplace upon completion.

Shortly after breaking ground on April 14, changes were already visible with the start of demolition to the northeast side. Passersby can witness these changes firsthand, as crews are out working every day on the first phase of the project.
Johnson understands that these changes can be confusing for those who aren’t directly involved with the redevelopment.

“Often times, people are asked to accept growth and change without fully understanding what is driving that change; what the growth consists of,” Johnson said. “In the case of the Conestoga Mall redevelopment, there were a number of factors that led us to looking for options other than the Conestoga Mall.”

With these big transformations occurring at the mall, Johnson believes in the importance of keeping the community updated on the progress of the project.

“Business prosperity is always on top of mind for the Chamber staff and its board of directors. The Chamber prides itself on being a source of information for our business community and our community at large,” Johnson said. “We are committed to providing information or the progress occurring at the Conestoga Marketplace and helping our community understand what can be expected in the months ahead.”

Over the course of the redevelopment project, the Chamber will make it a priority to provide updates through social media posts, and press releases. The Chamber’s objective in these updates is to provide an arm of support for the businesses still operating in the south side of the mall and encourage community support to keep these establishments in business during the redevelopment process.

Johnson acknowledges the progress may not be evident to the public. Redevelopment of the Conestoga Marketplace will take time and patience.

“A project of this magnitude will not happen overnight; periodic updates on the project will be important to people so they recognize progress is ongoing, growth is occurring,” Johnson said. “The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce is committed to providing that information.”