Business, however, continues to boom while the Utah Transit Authority works to build a TRAX extension that will eventually run down 400 West to 200 South, then down 200 South to 600 West, where it will connect with UTA's intermodal hub.

The project is scheduled to be completed next April, UTA spokesman Chad Saley said. Shoppers will get some reprieve next month, however, as work moves toward the center of the road and away from the sidewalks.

"The businesses and the residents in that area should really see marked improvement as far as the construction goes," Saley said.

In spite of continued road and lane closures near parking garage entrances, The Gateway has seen increased traffic and sales over last summer, said Tracy James, assistant vice president of Inland Western Retail Real Estate Trust, which manages the property.

"We've been able to keep our increases going," James said.

July numbers show about a 6 percent increase in sales over the same time last year, James said, and preliminary August figures indicate as much as a 10 percent jump in sales.

Changes are also taking place inside The Gateway. Over the next few months, several new retailers will open their doors at the 650,000-square-foot shopping center.

"There are some good things happening here," James said. "We've got lots of new things coming along."

Urban Outfitters, which sells an eclectic mix of apparel, furniture, novelties and accessories, is set to open its first-ever Utah location in late October or early November, he said. The retailer is taking over space previously occupied by Virgin Megastore, which closed in mid-July.

Additionally, Merle Norman Cosmetics soon will open a store along 200 South, and Tucanos Brazilian Grill, a 1,000-square-foot restaurant, is slated to open near the Megaplex 12 theaters at The Gateway, James said.

A little farther east, work also continues on a $40 million renovation of the Trolley Square mall. Construction on a 50,000-square-foot Whole Foods store is expected sometime this fall and likely will continue for the next 18 months. Many stores inside the historic retail site will remain open during construction, while others have temporarily relocated until the work is completed.

Opening this fall at The Gateway

• Urban Outfitters, along 400 West in the former Virgin Megastore space

• Merle Norman Cosmetics, along 200 South

• Tucanos Brazilian Grill, near the Megaplex 12 theaters

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E-mail: jpage@desnews.com; awelling@desnews.com