REDEVELOPMENT

Northwood Retail recently announced a thoughtfully planned redevelopment of Utica Square to enhance the center’s experience for the community while preserving the character that has defined the prestigious property for over seven decades. The renovations follow its recent acquisition by Northwood Retail, which plans to further enhance the property with improvements that honor the original architecture while introducing new retail concepts that reflect evolving consumer demand.“Retail today is about evolution, experience, placemaking, and connection,” said Ward Kampf, president of Northwood Retail. “The new development will bring to life the eastern side of the project, creating space for dynamic retailers and restaurants to further strengthen the center’s offerings and return Utica’s wholeness, while preserving the timeless character, retaining the architectural symmetry, and staying true to the original mid-Century modern design. Beyond the additional retail square footage, we are further activating the district with green space for gathering, along with paved sidewalks to increase connectivity.”Construction is expected to begin by the end of the 2026.The redevelopment will bring fresh life to a decade-long vacant block that once housed Miss Jackson’s and Petty’s Fine Foods and will encompass approximately 25,000 square feet. Renovation plans will introduce a new park and green space designed to better serve guests as well as include an enhanced streetscape with additional angled parking, a widened, realigned crosswalk to improve pedestrian walkability, and refreshed landscaping and signage to complement the timeless character essence of Utica Square. Additionally, a multi-year tree replacement program will introduce new greenery while carefully monitoring and maintaining aging trees across the property.“Having worked at Utica Square through this transition, it’s been exciting to see such a strong emphasis placed on preserving what people already love about the center,” said Cassandra Montray, property manager of Utica Square. Click here for a recent article about the redevelopment plans from Tulsa World.