Construction is underway for the first of many expansions and enhancements to Minnesota’s Mall of America. Mall executives estimate that by adding more parks, stores, and features they’ll also add about 20 million more annual visitors.

Construction is underway for the first of many expansions and enhancements to Minnesota’s Mall of America.

Mall executives estimate that by adding more parks, stores, and features they’ll also add about 20 million more annual visitors.

The facility already has over 500 stores, 50 restaurants, and the country’s largest indoor theme park. About 42 million people a year come to enjoy them.

The work in progress will result in an atrium for public events, an exhibition space, 50 or so new stores, and an upscale food hall to replace an outdated food court.

There’s also a luxury hotel and an office tower in the works.

Further in the future plans include an NHL-sized rink and an indoor water park – and more stores.

The schedule for the second phase is at this time a little loose. One executive mentioned the possibility of adding a new feature every year for the next decade.

Once the 2.5 billion dollar expansion budget is spent, the mall is expected to be double its present size.

The mall is already big enough to house 7 Yankee Stadiums.