A little more than a month since a special sales tax was implemented at The Mall in Hays, improvements at the aging facility have begun in earnest.

Most noticeable is the demolition work taking place outside to clear the way for lots for new stores — the former Montana Mike’s, a defunct bank drive-through and theater sign were in the process of being demolished Tuesday and Wednesday.

Hays-based Flatlander Dirtworks was contracted for the demolition work, and debris cleanup will continue this week.

On the interior, the last shipment of tile for new flooring in the common area of the mall is expected to arrive this week, according to Katie Dorzweiler, mall property manager.

“It’s really beautiful,” said Dorzweiler, who is about 60 days into her tenure at the mall, which is owned by Omaha-based DP Management.

The tile contractor will be working from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. to minimize disturbances, and all stores are expected to remain open while the flooring is installed.

“Some of the things our customers are used to seeing in the hallways might be moved … (but ) he’s going to make a path to every single store,” Dorzweiler said.

This summer, she added, the parking lot upgrades will begin, and interior lighting also will be replaced.

And, this fall, a new mall sign and name will be unveiled to the community.

“We spent eight hours in Kearney with the marketing and branding teams to link (the new name) back to the community and our mission statement,” Dorzweiler said. “We’re really excited to announce it.”

New tenants also could be on the horizon, as DP representatives promised during negotiations with the city on the commercial improvement district — the sales tax funding mechanism paying for the improvements.

The CID will create a 1 percent additional sales tax on sales generated on mall property to be used to fund approximately $3.1 million in interior and exterior improvements.

DP officials are currently at a major retail convention in Las Vegas, pitching the improved mall property and the Hays community to potential tenants.

“They are working out those deals right now,” Dorzweiler said, noting the mall also is working with a local architect in case retailers need remodeling to accommodate their stores.

Current tenants are excited about the changes, she added.

“I’ve had a really great response from all of them, and they’ve been very supportive,” she said, adding monthly tenant meetings have had bigger turnouts recently.

Dorzweiler, who sees the mall as an integral part of the Hays “neighborhood,” also has placed sign-up sheets at each store for the public to sign up to receive updates on progress.

Physical improvements aside, Dorzweiler said she also is hoping for an attitude change at the facility.

“We have to change the way we do our customer service,” she said. “We’ll hold the door open for you.”

Part of the change will be the addition to administrative offices at the mall to include a reception area that offers coffee to customers — something she said has been popular among “my walkers.”