It took years of negotiations with neighbors and local governments, but Central Ohio’s first outlet mall opens Friday morning.
Traffic jams are expected as the long-awaited Tanger Outlet mall opens just off Interstate 71 near Sunbury. Stores open their doors at 9 a.m., with an official ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m.
The mall will house more than 80 stores selling brands including The North Face, Coach, Calvin Klein and Victoria’s Secret. The space will cover more than 350,000 square feet and looks to create about 900 full- and part-time jobs.
The mall took more than four years to complete, as neighbors fought the plan over concerns of increased traffic and local governments haggled over the expected tax revenue.
The developer, Simon-Tanger, made millions of dollars in road improvements and has pledged more money for additional road improvements.
There are also tentative plans for a new Interstate 71 interchange south of the mall, but state transportation officials says there’s currently not enough funding.
