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Briefly

Carousel Center mulls expansion

A proposed $900 million plan by The Pyramid Cos. to triple the size of its Carousel Center in Syracuse, N.Y., to 4.5 million square feet would make the center larger than the Mall of America. The expansion would add a huge recreation component to the center, consisting of four hotels, a four-level aquarium, ice skating rinks, indoor soccer fields, a golf facility and an indoor water park as well as shops, restaurants and other attractions. To proceed, the project needs the approval of city and county officials for a $250 million loan for road and parking improvements that Pyramid would repay over 30 years instead of paying taxes. If approval for the funding is granted, construction on the first phase is scheduled to begin this fall or next spring, with phase two being completed in three to five years.

E-grocer plan behind Ahold’s moves

The rationale behind Dutch retail giant Royal Ahold’s recent moves came into focus when the company revealed it will launch e-commerce operations for all five of its U.S. grocery chains next spring. After backing off its bid for Pathmark Stores last year because of Federal Trade Commission concerns, Ahold regrouped and used the money it had earmarked for the Pathmark acquisition to buy food distributor U.S. Foodservice. With 40 distribution centers, U.S. Foodservice gives Ahold delivery coverage in 85% of the United States. More recently Ahold bought a majority stake in struggling online grocer Peapod, giving the company the rights to technology it can use and adapt in establishing a grocery-delivery service.

Hotels to rise next to Jersey Gardens

A $125 million project, including one extended-stay hotel and a second hotel and convention center, has been approved by the city of Elizabeth, N.J., and will be constructed across from the Jersey Gardens Outlet Mall. The project will include more than 950 rooms and an 80,000-square-foot office and convention center. Glimcher Realty Trust, which owns Jersey Gardens, will team with the hotel development group Kapkowski Road & North Avenue Limited Partnership to offer special travel promotions, including reduced airfare on Continental Airlines, reduced rates at one of the two hotels and deals at the shopping center. An opening date has not been announced.