With a grand reopening on July 25, Westfield Southcenter in Tukwila celebrated a $240 million expansion that makes it the largest indoor mall in Washington and Oregon.

Gov. Chris Gregoire and Tukwila Mayor Jim Haggerton were among the speakers at the morning ceremony.

Gregoire noted, "The expansion will create 1,600 additional jobs, on top of the 3,700 Washingtonians who already work here. That's a lot of jobs for this area. That's what I call real economic development.

"It's just one more sign that Washington's economy is faring well even as the nation experiences an economic downturn.

"The Westfield Group (owners of the mall) obviously believes we live in a state with a sustainable economy and a big future. I want to thank the Westfield Group for its vision, and for its faith in Washington's economy."

According to Southcenter officials, the mall is more than 95 percent leased.

Among the 75 new stores are H&M, Gilly Hicks, Pink by Victoria's Secret, Aerie by American Eagle, Industrial Rideshop, Beachworks, Crazy 8 by Gymboree and Escape Northwest.

AMC's new 16-screen multiplex, which seats 2,900 moviegoers, is the first large cinema in the Northwest to have all digital projectors. Managers expect to employ a staff of 75.

A massive window in the cinema's reception area frames Mount Rainier in a way meant to evoke the Paramount studio logo.

Famous phrases from the movies are embedded in the walkway to the 16 screening rooms.