PROVIDENCE – The owner of Providence Place mall plans to replace two levels of the vacant J.C. Penney Co. retail store with additional parking, part of an estimated $20 million renovation package that also will modernize the parking payment system for the mall.
The R.I. Commerce Corp., which owns the land beneath the mall, approved the proposal in its meeting April 25. As the landowner, its permission was required for any modifications to the mall.
The plan put forward by mall owner General Growth Properties will create 150 new parking spaces, replacing the first two levels of the J.C. Penney store. In a brief presentation to the board, Commerce RI Chief Operating Officer Darin Early said the mall was responding to stress in the market for midsized retailers. •
