The flooring is a lot lighter and the hallways don't seem quite so dark.

Little by little, Trolley Square shopping mall has been getting a makeover as part of a $60 million redevelopment of the block bordered by 500 South and 600 South and 600 East and 700 East.

Included in that renovation will be the addition of a parking structure and a Whole Foods market.

"It was so dark before, but now it seems a lot brighter and more cheerful," said Sara Fitzgerald of Taylorsville, shopping at Trolley on Wednesday morning.

That's just what real estate investment company Scanlan- KemperBard Cos. wants to hear.

The company, which purchased the mall property late last year, is partnering with developer Blake Hunt Ventures to overhaul the site, which was an old trolley complex in use until 1945. Trolley Square became a shopping mall in the early 1970s, but over the years lost ground to newer malls such as The Gateway shopping center just several miles away.

"We are trying to create an extraordinary experience" for shoppers, said Jerry Hunt, president of Blake Hunt Ventures.

Hunt noted that Trolley already is on solid footing. The mall has several prominent retailers, such as Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids, Williams-Sonoma and Banana Republic.

Global apparel retailer American Apparel recently opened its first location in Utah in Trolley.

And several longtime tenants, such as restaurant Rodizio Grill and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, have committed to long-term leases. There are a number of empty storefronts, some of which have been leased, while tenants still are being sought for others.

Work on the $10 million renovation of the 160,000-square-foot main mall is winding down. Work will soon begin on a 300-space parking structure and an additional 40,000 square feet of retail space fronting 600 East.

Next year, work will begin on the 53,000-square-foot building for Whole Foods Market - the chain's first store in Utah - as well as a 250-space parking garage.

Dawn Katter, Trolley Square property manager, said the mall will have some type of permanent memorial for those affected by the tragedy that occurred at the mall on Feb. 12, when 18-year-old Sulejman Talovic went on a rampage and shot nine people in and around the mall, five of which were killed.

Merchants who were in the mall then and now say the mall rebounded quickly and solidly since the tragedy.

David Dean, partner in two of Trolley Square's stores, Cabin Fever and Tabula Rasa, said his stores have been doing well.

"They are doing a lot behind the scenes so it doesn't affect customers, which is good," Dean said. "And business has been great this year."