CROSSROADS PLAZA: BASEMENT RENOVATION BRINGS BIG EXPECTATIONS

Remodeling the basement of a shopping mall sounds about as significant as wallpapering an outhouse. But for management of the downtown Crossroads Plaza, creating a new basement has been a monumental task with equally high expectations.

When the $6 million renovation of one of Utah's busiest shopping malls is completed in August, Crossroads' basement will take on the look of the '90s - described by developers in terms like open, light and inviting - and help the mall's lower level merchants reach their potential."We are turning a sow's ear into a silk purse," says Rob Snowden, regional manager for The Lehndorff Group, whose U.S. Investor Services company manages Crossroads and accompanying Key Bank Tower.

Of course, management doesn't refer to its silk purse

as "the basement." They call it "Richards Street Marketplace," named after the side street that ran through the block before Crossroads was constructed in 1980.

Lehndorff and plaza co-owners, the Okland/Foulger joint venture, expects the revitalized level to become a major thoroughfare for downtown foot traffic between South Temple and First South. And that just may happen, even if it's just the curious passing through to see what has transpired in the past six months.

Shoppers entering the Richards Street Level from South Temple will notice a new entrance, complete with escalator, that will be more accessible and welcoming than the previous enclosed entrance that looked like an emergency exit for employees only.

Under the center court atrium, people descending to the lower level will see a new fountain on the right, where cars and singing groups used to be showcased, and on the left, a new 830-seat food court.

At the south end of Richards Street, shoppers entering from First South will find new retail outlets where food vendors once were and an open view of the entire level.

In addition to taking down the walls and opening up the entire floor, white and light-shaded flooring has replaced the dark brown tile, new ceiling panels and lighting will cover most of the previously exposed pipes and heating ducts, and new restrooms have been built.

Replacing the former disorganized format of food outlets and seating spread throughout the basement level, the new food and eating area will group all vendors at center court in a semicircle layout surrounding the tables and seating. Two new cafes on either end of the food court semicircle will have separate seating areas, and nearby kiosks will house vendors of sandwiches, drinks, frozen yogurt and retail goods.