 The area formerly occupied by the mall itself would have been replaced with an open-air lifestyle center.Sears and Macy's announced initial intentions to remain open through the redevelopment process and anchor the redeveloped property, but Macy's chose Bellevue as one of eleven stores nationally to close during the late 2000s recession.When Macy's closed on March 15, 2009, Sears was left as the final operating retailer at Bellevue Center.