Mall at University Town Center Opening Nears: Are You Excited?

The Mall at University Town Center’s opening is just around the corner.

And, as that Oct. 16 opening date draws closer, officials in a two-county area believe the shopping center will fast become the region’s biggest attraction. With that in mind, they’re working hard to prepare for an anticipated onslaught of traffic.

The Manatee and Sarasota county sheriff’s offices, along with the Florida Department of Transportation and the Florida Highway Patrol, have been meeting with mall management to prepare for the opening of the center at the intersection of Interstate 75 and University Parkway, the Bradenton Herald reports. Law enforcement agencies are planning an increased presence around the mall and they do expect some regional traffic delays, especially during the four-day grand opening.

How big or widespread the delays will be remains to be seen, but Sarasota County’s Capt. Ron Locke said his agency and the others are “trying to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.”

The mall will be home to a number of national retailers, such as Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue, along with a host of other stores. Eateries lined up include The Capital Grille, The Cheesecake Factory and BRIO Tuscan Grille.

The grand opening is planned for Oct. 16. The mall covers 880,000 square feet in enclosed two levels. A sneak peek charity event set for Oct. 15 has already sold out. For more information about the new mall, check out its website.

What are you looking forward to the most about the mall’s opening? Tell us by commenting below!

Photo Credit: A rendering of the Mall at University Town Center