ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The Ohio Valley Mall is undergoing a multitude of changes and upgrades.

Construction at the old Kmart site, future location of sporting goods retailer Dunham’s, is “progressing nicely,” according to Joe Bell, spokesman for Cafaro Co., the mall’s parent company.

The demolition is now complete on the old Kmart building and construction items for the new Dunham’s are currently being put into place by Southpaw Construction. Southpaw is headquartered in Missouri.

Bell said the construction workers are working long shifts and many hours to complete the interior framing of the building.

The exterior of the building will be complete in about three weeks.

The work being done on the new Dunham’s is moving at a rapid pace, Bell added.

Bell said he is still awaiting the time table for the new Hampton Inn & Suites construction, but it will open next year. The new hotel will rent the land from the mall but has its own developer and builder for construction.

Sears most likely will close by mid-July. Bell said officials are unsure what will replace the store in that space just yet. It can take many months to complete negotiations with potential new tenants for a building that size, he said.

He is unsure if the building will hold a single tenant or multiple tenants.

Although Sears will close its doors soon, the Dental Center located inside the structure will remain open to patients for a short time afterward. Dr. Adrienne Tomer, Dental Center owner, eventually will move to a new location.

Bell said access points will remain for patients to enter the facility following Sears’ closing.

Sears was the first store to open its doors at the mall more than 40 years ago.

It also is one of several large anchor stores to close in recent years, as brick and mortar retailers across the country have struggled against online competition.

Beginning in late June or early July, the mall will undergo a multitude of upgrades, both on the interior and exterior of the building, Bell said.

He noted that the mall soon will receive new carpeting and ceramic tiling.

On the exterior, workers will soon power wash and paint the mall building.

It also will receive a new coloration on the exterior walls and its anchoring stores. In addition, the mall is working on minor roofing repairs.

Following those initial upgrades, Bell said Cafaro plans to replace electrical systems and lighting, making the mall more energy efficient.