The Australian-based Westfield Group and city officials unveiled the renovations Tuesday.  They include moving the food court, adding new retail shops and creating more light and better visibility.
 
Westfield’s Keith Kaplan says his company normally renovates the malls it buys sooner than this one, but the Downtown Plaza has been tougher.
 
Kaplan: “It’s an urban environment.  It’s a little bit different than a lot of other projects we’ve done recently.  But we very rarely walk away from a center when we sense it’s an opportunity.  Sacramento is still the cap of the sixth largest economy in the world.  This city is still poised for economic growth.  So we like our position in the greater Sacramento market.” 
 
Westfield has at times had a testy relationship with the city.  Several council members have accused the company of putting its Roseville mall ahead of the Downtown Plaza.  But officials now say they’re on board with Westfield’s plans.
 
Work will start in January, after the holiday shopping season.  Kaplan says it’ll cost at least $10 million.