As the sun rises in West Lafayette, lights spills over Wabash Landing, illuminating its State Street-facing storefronts and casting the businesses along the walkway in shadow.
For those in the light, business has been good. But for those in darker spaces in the middle of the mixed-use development, business could be better.
“For us back in the alley, it’s dead,” said Todd Leuck, owner of Evan Todd Salon & Spa.
Increasing foot traffic, finding tenants and reaching maximum capacity have been a struggle since Wabash Landing opened 16 years ago, according to one of its developers.
In 1998, the city of West Lafayette purchased the 7-acre site that was once a Sears department store and launched the search for an investor.
Developers Herman Renfro and Jimmy Curtis envisioned a 350,000-square-foot retail/apartment project, and in December 1999 secured enough tenant leases to persuade banks to finance $57 million construction.
Some early deals fell through.
So, to ease the project costs, the West Lafayette Redevelopment Authority in 2000 sold $6.5 million in bonds to build the 684-space parking garage on Tapawingo Drive adjacent to the high-rise that holds 92 apartments.
The project gained ground from 2000 to 2005 with the arrival of Goodrich Quality Theaters Wabash Landing 9, Hilton Garden Inn, Borders Inc., Panera Bread, Starbucks and Scotty’s Brewhouse.
Then in 2011, Borders Inc. declared bankruptcy and vacated 20,000 square feet of space, only part of which has since been leased.
Along the interior walkway, another 25,000 square feet of empty storefronts remains a stark reminder of the national recession that Curtis said stalled his plan to build a second hotel.
Yet Curtis holds out hope that he can land a hotel or apartment development that will bring more people to the site and stimulate business.
But can Wabash Landing become the long-envisioned economic gateway that greets visitors entering West Lafayette?
The bright side
The answer, in part, depends on where a business is located.