Officials add to renovation plans for Fashion Square Mall

ORLANDO, Fla. — WFTV learned of more changes planned as part of the major renovation of Orlando's Fashion Square Mall.

Demolition of the mall began three weeks ago and officials plan to build a new 450-unit apartment complex off Maguire Boulevard.

Channel 9's Kenneth Craig uncovered new development plans for the other side of the mall that calls for additional new housing.

The new plan includes new apartments with 600 units and 87,000 square feet of commercial space.

“I don’t know how it will do, but I think the theory of it is great,” resident Ashley Richardson said.

The new proposals are on top of other major changes, including a seven-story hotel on top of the mall.

The additional plans focus on the backside of the mall.

Developers are hoping it will reinvigorate areas of the property that have struggled through generations.

Currently, the backside of the mall contains empty parking lots and a sushi restaurant.

Some residents said they don’t want any more busy streets and development, adding to an already congested area.

City planners said they expect traffic to increase by 6.5 percent.

“It translates to 1,100 additional cars per day,” said Dean Grandi, the planning director for Orlando.

The revised plans will go before the city of Orlando’s Planning Board on April 15.

WFTV