A groundbreaking was held Friday to celebrate a major expansion happening at the Cross County Center in Yonkers.

"Cross County has figured out a way to morph and to change with the times and to continue to show the world that this is a true destination," says Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano.

The 58,000-square-foot expansion includes the creation of a 14,000-square-foot retail building and a two-story, 44,000-square-foot flagship retail building on the north lot.

Underground parking and a new 4-acre park are also included.

"It is the nation's first open-air shopping center. Opened in 1954 and over the years, we've continued to evolve, and this is the next evolution of that," says Craig Deitelzweig, CEO of Marx Realty.

The center draws millions of visitors each year.

City leaders say the expansion will be good for the area.

"It creates jobs, it's creating economic opportunity," says Yonkers City Councilman John Rubbo.

Shoppers say they are looking forward to having more options.

"I would be totally for that, I would love that actually," says Quenaysa Nicholas, who says she comes to the center several times a week.

Others who live nearby say they're also looking forward to the expansion but are also concerned it could create more traffic around the area.

"It is a great location, but the traffic is pretty heavy," says Mary Ellen McDonough, who lives nearby.

Officials with the city say they will keep working to make sure the traffic stays within the Cross County Center.

They say that its location also helps drivers get on or off the thruway and parkways quickly.

"We are in constant change and adjustment to make sure we give people who live here some relief in terms of traffic," said Mayor Spano.

The expansion is expected to be completed by the fall of 2027.