By Melissa Murphy/ MMurphy@TheReporter.com
Posted: 08/11/2009
Sammy Lopez digs a hole for electrical wiring that will be used for one of the railway signals being installed in the renovated Nut Tree Plaza, which is set to reopen Aug. 22. (Joel Rosenbaum / The Reporter)
Outfitted with a new bio-diesel engine, the No. 5 Nut Tree Train will take a new route next week.
Rounding the newly renovated Nut Tree Plaza, the train will continue along the tracks that encompass the new amenities in the middle courtyard.
Hoping to attract business off of Interstate 80, the carousel is now at the front of the plaza along with other iconic structures from the historical Nut Tree.
"Clearly visible from Interstate 80, both by day and by night, the Nut Tree Plaza will attract not only local families, but those traveling on the highway as well," said Fred Steingraf, marketing director of the Nut Tree, in a press release. "We are currently putting together a year-round calendar of fun, family-friendly events in the Nut Tree Plaza to truly re-establish it as California's legendary road stop."
Vacaville residents will have a chance to ride the train and the carousel for free all day Aug. 20 and 21, with proof of residency -- either a driver's license or utility bill.
The two days are leading up to a Grand Opening Celebration for everyone that Saturday Aug. 22.
Not long ago, Westrust bought the remaining portion of the Nut Tree shopping center that it didn't already own. It was then that it began to revamp the idea of the Nut Tree Villiage and theme park.
"The opening of the Nut Tree Plaza marks a turning point in the history of the Nut Tree," said Michael Pizzola, senior general manager of Westrust, in a press release. "The trainand carousel, as well as other elements of the original Nut Tree, will now be located at the front of the project and accessible to all visitors to shop and dine at the Nut Tree's many stores and restaurants."
Cost of the revamp is estimated at $1 million, Ricardo Capretta, co-managing partner of Westrust.
Once the new plaza is up and running, rides on the train and carousel will cost $2 per person.
Project officials hope Nut Tree Plaza will breath new life into the entire development, which has struggled to fill space amid a tough economy.
"In designing the new Nut Tree Plaza, we felt it was important to bring back the feeling of community and gathering that the old Nut Tree had," Piazzola added in the press release. "Guests who come to shop and dine at the Nut Tree, regardless of whether they stay for an hour or a day, will be able to enjoy the train and carousel, have a picnic, sit at the Nut Tree fireplace, ride the hobby horses or just relax in the shade of the historic Hackberry trees."
