Eastgate Town Center has had its share of ups and downs as officials have worked to rebrand the complex from a purely consumer-oriented mall to a professional business hub for the Brainerd area.
Property manager Chanda Strickland said despite the BlueCross BlueShield exodus that left nearly 300,000 out of 750,000 square feet vacant, Eastgate has recently signed several new tenants to bring available space down to around 230,000 square feet.
“We are still marketing the BlueCross space as a call center, and we have a couple (of) parties interested in doing a partial space,” Ms. Strickland said.
A multiyear renovation and redesign has seen consumer businesses pushed to the outside of the structure, with professional organizations mostly located to the tree-lined interior.
The quiet halls attract nearby residents, who stroll or jog down the corridors, surrounded by a veritable museum of local artwork.
New tenants such as the U.S. Census Bureau, the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the New Horizons Computer Learning Center have taken advantage of square footage rates of $10 to $12, and more tenants are on the way, she said.
To help market the center, Eastgate has also launched a “green” initiative, according Paul Mallchok, general manager for the center.
“We’re retrofitting our lights, and installing LED parking lot lighting,” Mr. Mallchok said. “We’re also retrofitting water fixtures.”
Tenants such as Karen Davis, who works for Centaur Building Services, are excited about the future of the business complex.
“It’s got a central location, it’s close to the freeway, and there are lunch facilities all over the place.” she said.
Clarence Williams, who manages the Eastgate Senior Activity Center for the city of Chattanooga, said he feels safe with Eastgate’s 24-hour security patrols.
He hopes to see a retirement center, complete with hair salons, a food court and plenty of activities, agree to lease the former BCBS space.
“I think that would help revitalize the mall,” he said.
With amenities like free Wi-Fi, huge parking lots and competitive rates, Eastgate officials believe they’re putting their best foot forward.