Demolition is currently underway at the Granite Run Mall as it enters the early stages of being revived as a $130 million walkable, mixed-use development called the Promenade at Granite Run.

A recent feature in the Philadelphia Business Journal by reporter Natalie Kostelni detailed the several factors that conspired to cause the death of Granite Run, as well as a third of the country’s 1,200 malls, and what developers have in store for its future.

BET Investments Inc. bought the one-million-square-foot regional mall off Baltimore Pike in Middletown in the fall of 2013 for $24.25 million. Built in 1974, the property was weighed down by more than $115 million in debt and suffered as newer shopping centers competed with it and siphoned shoppers away.

According to Kostelni, the redevelopment plan calls for a pedestrian-oriented lifestyle center that has its retail space brought out rather than being housed on the interior. It will include dining, retail, entertainment, and housing.

Not everything is being razed. Sears, Boscovs, Kohl’s and an Acme, all of which total 544,000 square feet, will remain. Where JC Penney once operated and other mall space surrounding it are being demolished. That work is expected to be completed by June and set the stage for construction of the first phase of the Promenade at Granite Run. That will entail constructing 350,000 square feet of new retail space in nine buildings.

The developer isn’t prepared to divulge the names of tenants but said it will include four sit down restaurants and six fast casual eateries. While AMC is currently operating the theater, BET is exploring three other national movie theater chains. Other entertainment uses will also be incorporated. An apartment complex with 176 units will be built as well as a garage.

A portion of the retail space is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2017 with the remainder during the first quarter of 2018. The apartments will be ready in 2018.

Once the apartments are 75 percent leased up, construction will begin on a second residential complex that will have 210 units as well as a garage.

“People want to do things without getting into their car,” said Michael Markman, the president of BET. “We are creating a mini-city environment.”

Click here to read more about the plans for Granite Run Mall.