What to do when vacancies pile up at a shopping center? Reposition, according to Gene Kansas (right) who has been handling leasing at Amsterdam Walk in Midtown. In recent years, the 140k SF shopping center, owned by Halpern, lost tenants such as the Cook?s Warehouse and Bed Down. To compensate, Gene, along with associate Dotan Zuckerman, have gone after non-traditional tenants. The 6k SF space formerly occupied by The Little Jumping Bean, will become a second location of  International Preschools, open for lessons Sept. 1. Gene tells us Amsterdam Walk?s old retail-centric approach wasn't working because the shopping center is not visible from the nearest cross-street, Monroe Drive. ?You couldn't see the stores, and in retail, without visibility, you have

to reposition,? Gene tells us.

Here?s a peek inside the work in progress. The center is anchored by Loca Luna, a popular Latin restaurant, and the Red Light Cafe, which hosts live music. Gene has a few other aces up his sleeve, including a new salon called Beya, opening in October. A hip, local magazine is also on the verge of signing a lease, he says.