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Type: Retail

New retail building: 108,901 square feet

Developer: Gatlin Development Co.

Architect: Architectural Consortium

Details: A proposal by Florida-based Gatlin Development Co. to demolish rather than ­refurbish the old Brookdale Center food court at its Shingle Creek Crossing redevelopment project passed its first political test this month when the Brooklyn Center City Council approved an amendment to the center's master plan.

Gatlin revealed in August that it had given up on its initial intention of renovating the majority of the 169,555-square-foot food court after being unable to line up new tenants for it, especially on the west side of the building fronting Xerxes Av. N.

Instead, it is now seeking to demolish the food court and erect a new 108,901-square-foot building in its place, to be anchored by a T.J. Maxx clothing store and Michaels crafts outlet. Conceptual plans submitted to the city showed the new building to be divided up into 10 connected units.

As part of the move, two new "pad" sites for a 5,400-square-foot "sit-down" style restaurant and 2,800-square-foot fast-food outlet with a drive-thru lane have been set up on the Xerxes Avenue side.

Meanwhile, Gatlin also altered its master plan for another part of Shingle Creek Crossing. A site along Bass Lake Road originally designated as an 8,400-square-foot mixed retail/­restaurant use was increased to 11,200 square feet at the request of two prospective tenants who want to move in as early as next spring, city planners said.

The planned unit development amendments were passed unanimously by the council at its Oct. 14 meeting.

Don Jacobson is a freelance writer in St. Paul. He can be reached at hotproperty.startribune@gmail.com.