GRAND ISLAND- In an attempt to attract retail and regional tourism, the Conestoga Mall in Grand Island is set to get a $250 million revamp. The 50-acre Conestoga Mall site is to feature apartments and a hotel around a modern, downsized shopping complex that will offer a Target and a national tenant lineup yet to be identified. City officials have agreed to a package of public subsidies and incentives covering about a third of the project cost.

Included in the assist is $26 million in city-approved tax-increment financing and an occupation tax on on-site transactions that over time is expected to generate nearly $37 million to pay off financing bonds. The city will also pull a total of $10 million from the general fund. “This will re-energize shopping in Grand Island,” said Hall County regional planning director Chad Nabity.

Cindy Johnson, president of the local Chamber of Commerce, said the Conestoga property was key to keeping intact Grand Island’s heritage as a shopping “destination.” In its better days, she said, the mall lured 250,000 people a year from the surrounding 90 miles who sought dining and other services in the city. Grand Island is just off Interstate 80 and accessible to traffic from U.S. Highways 281, 30 and 34.

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