WTRF.com UPDATE: Look of Mall Progressively Changing at OVM - WTRF 7 News Sports Weather - Wheeling Steubenville

If you've spent any time shopping in the Ohio Valley Mall lately, you may have noticed the renovations are starting to take shape.

Renovations at the mall are progressing right on schedule.

Noticeable improvements include 5 new skylights, the walls have been painted, and the ceiling and lighting has been replaced.

Mall manager, George Diab says there is still a good bit to be done.

"The entire mall will be carpeted, so the carpet has to be installed," he says. "We have to finish installing some of the decorative lighting. We have a lot of work outside yet to do such as paving, seal coating, and striping. We're cleaning the building; we're replacing all of the landscaping. The majority of all the work remaining is outside."

Store managers tell me their sales have improved since the renovations began. PacSun Manager, Andrea Connolly says she hopes the remodel will attract bigger stores and more customers.

"I would definitely say my numbers are much better than last year," she says. "They are actually in the double digits so it's a lot better as far as percentages are concerned."

All construction work is being done after mall hours. The carpeting phase of the renovation project begins Monday. It will take about two months to lay carpet on all 100,000 ft in the mall.

Renovations are expected to be complete by the end of October, just in time for holiday shopping.

ORIGINAL STORY

Renovations are progressing at the Ohio Valley Mall in St. Clairsville.

Mall manager George Diab told WTRF.com the new mall office and public restrooms are now open, five new skylights have been added and the new ceiling is approaching completion.

The announcement of the mall's multi-million dollar renovation was made in March of this year with an expected completion date sometime in November. Click here to read the reaction from the community on the initial announcement of the renovation project.

Demolition work started in April, but now mall officials are expecting the project to be completed by the end of October 2012.

The mall is open for patrons to shop.