Updated mall ready for big holiday season

Multimillion-dollar renovation finished at Madison Square

A ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday officially marked the completion of a major renovation for 22-year-old Madison Square Mall - just in time for the year's heaviest shopping.

"We completely changed everything in the mall from the floor up," said Curt Hammontree, project manager with CBL & Associates Properties Inc., the mall's developer and owner.

The multimillion-dollar project includes new seating areas with new furniture, new flooring, a larger center-court elevator and other new escalators, new lighting and updated restrooms to include family restrooms in the food court and a family lounge area.

New restrooms are being added near J.C. Penney on the lower level. Also, a play area was relocated in the food court and refurbished.

A new mall logo incorporates the camellia, the state flower.

"CBL has been a tremendous partner in Huntsville," Mayor Loretta Spencer said. "They continue to take an interest here."

CBL and Colonial Properties Trust Inc. of Birmingham own Parkway Place mall.

Several retailers at Madison Square - Bama Fever/Team Fever, Trade Secret, NY & Co., GNC, KB Toys and Hibbett Sports - also renovated during the year. Verizon Wireless relocated from a kiosk to an inline store.

Starbucks is under construction near the food court. Other stores that have committed to the mall but aren't expected to open until early next year include Wacky Bear, a workshop for creating custom plush animals; and Cinnabon, a cafe specializing in cinnamon rolls.

The mall's marketing director, Marty Dubey, said mall personnel anticipate being able to prevent the slickness of the new flooring when all of the construction dust can be cleared away.