Raleigh, N.C. — The owners of Crabtree Valley Mall on Tuesday announced an $18 million expansion, including a new parking deck, three upscale restaurants and pedestrian walkways.

“This project is part of an extensive, multi-part expansion that will give our customers exciting new choices for shopping and dining,” Bobby Medlin, the mall’s general manager, said in a statement. “It also will greatly enhance the mall’s appearance along Glenwood Avenue.”

Construction is expected to begin this month on a three-level parking deck located beside Hudson Belk that will add more than 220 parking spaces. The deck, which will feature valet parking and covered escalators and stairs, is expected to be completed this fall.

Buildings will go up in front of the deck for three new white-tablecloth restaurants. Mall managers are negotiating leases with three potential restaurants, which weren't named.

When the new restaurants open late next year, Crabtree Valley will feature seven dining establishments along its Glenwood Avenue entrance. Cheesecake Factory, P.F. Chang’s, Kanki Japanese House of Steaks and Sushi and Ruby Tuesday are already located on the Glenwood side of the mall.

“As retail competition increases in our market, Crabtree is committed to giving our customers the best stores, the best restaurants and the best shopping experience,” Medlin said.

Pedestrian walkways will link the restaurants to the new deck and to the four existing restaurants. In a second phase of the expansion, walkways also will connect the parking deck with a freestanding building that houses Barnes & Noble, Best Buy and Old Navy, he said.

The expansion will create more than 500 jobs during construction and more than 400 restaurant and retail jobs when completed, he said.