Dave Cuthill, spokesman for General Growth Properties, Inc., the real estate investment company that owns the bustling retail center at 6191 S. State St., presented preliminary expansion and renovations plans to Murray's Planning Commission on Thursday evening.

"Fashion Place currently occupies a very strong position within the competitive retail market in the area. Our desire is to maintain this market strength and dominance," Cuthill said. "Enhancing what's there will allow us to do that."

Several changes and additions are planned, Cuthill said, adding 240,000 square feet of rentable space to the mall's current 876,000 square feet.

Nordstrom and Dillard's, two of the mall's premiere anchors, will move to new locations in the expanded mall footprint.

An outdoor component will be added, along with pedestrian friendly streetscape and storefronts facing the parking area rather than the mall interior.

After the new Nordstrom and Dillard's open in 2009, their old stores will be razed and reconstructed, to be occupied by new retail options.

A new, one-level parking deck will connect to the new Dillard's via a pedestrian bridge, increasing the mall's parking capacity to 5,192 stalls.

Macy's will remain in its current configuration, Cuthill said.

"We're on an accelerated time frame," Cuthill said. General Growth's plan moves the opening of Murray's new Nordstrom well ahead of the Nordstrom slated to settle into Salt Lake City's City Creek in 2011.

Fashion Place Mall, bounded by 6100 South, Fashion Boulevard (280 East), Winchester and State streets, first sprouted in 1972. According to General Growth's Web site, previous upgrades occurred in 1984, 1986 and 1987.

The mall's central Salt Lake Valley location, along with its easy access from Interstates 15 and 215, has helped fuel its continued popularity. Fashion Place is currently 98 percent leased out.

General Growth acquired Fashion Place Mall about two years ago. The Chicago, Ill.-based company also owns Holladay's Cottonwood Mall, where close to 40 percent of the storefronts now sit empty.

When asked about the company's vision for Cottonwood Mall, Cuthill said General Growth is looking at opportunities and will be forthcoming with its plans.

"It's an important asset to us and we anticipate making it a better one," he said.

cmckitrick@sltrib.com