This story is one update from The January Issue. View the full list of Top 7 stories to follow in 2018 here.

What we reported

The owner of The Shops at Willow Bend mall in Plano is pouring $125 million into expanding and renovating the property in a bid to benefit from mixed-use development concepts. The project comes as the retail industry continues to see sustained declines in department storefront sales.

The latest

Crews have erected the structures for a new restaurant district and entrance to the mall that are visible from the Dallas North Tollway. North Texas Performing Arts opened its new facility at the mall in November.

What’s next

The restaurant district and the Crayola Experience indoor child-amusement facility should open this spring. Construction on a new Equinox Fitness facility was expected to break ground in January. A little later in early 2018, crews will begin work on a seven-story office tower built into the structure of the mall.