Mayor's Minute: Changes at Riverchase Galleria

As Mayor of Hoover, I am very excited about the renovations being made at the Riverchase Galleria. As detailed in the Hoover Sun cover story last month, the mall and Wynfrey Hotel will be renovated, and a new Von Maur department store will open.

On the perimeter of these buildings, Earth Fare, an exciting grocery store featuring local and organic fruits and produce, opened in May. Jared Jewelry, a store new to our area, is under construction in the former Just for Feet location. I am very excited about all these developments and additional business moving to Hoover.

I know all this activity spurs more businesses to want to move to where the action is located. The shopping center improvements are already underway.

The Galleria Tower, one of the largest office buildings in the Hoover area, continues to be a great address for business as evidenced by its occupancy at well over 95 percent. The Tower joins with the other components of the Galleria to continue to improve with changes underway to interior lobbies, a new state of the art elevator system and new elevators from the Tower to access the shopping center. The renovation process is extensive and when completed in 2013, will only further enhance the Riverchase Galleria.

We are very excited that the holidays are right around the corner so we want to invite you and your family to join us at our Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Hoover City Hall. It will be held on Thurs., Nov. 29 at 5 p.m., and a definite visit from Santa is on the horizon that night. The Hoover Police is ready for the influx of holiday shoppers to our City, and we will assist them to make their holiday shopping experience pleasurable.

Please feel free to contact my office or visit our website if we can help you in any way. My goal is that we will continue to exceed your expectations!