Springs Road retail center's revamp begins

Springs Road retail center's revamp begins
By Rachel Raskin-Zrihen/Times-Herald staff writer
Posted: 06/25/2009

After about two years of preparation, work has begun on the revamping of the 1960s-era Solano 80 Center, better known as the Rite Aide center on Springs Road.

Construction of the three-phase plan began about three weeks ago, said Marcus Adams of the city's planning division and developer John Jay of the Jay-Phares Corporation. The project should be completed by the third quarter of 2010, Jay said.

When it's finished, the underserved southern half of Vallejo will have a new 140,000 square foot commercial center, anchored by Mi Pueblo market -- which Jay describes as "the Latino Whole Foods."

Phase one includes construction of prototype Harbor Freight Tools and Taco Bell stores, to replace the existing ones which will be demolished in phase two, Jay said.

The old Rite Aide building also will be demolished to make room for a new, more modern one, which will feature a drive-through, he added.

The long-vacant restaurant at the corner of Mariposa Street and Springs Road will come down, to be replaced by two buildings surrounding a plaza where Jay said he hopes to install restaurants with indoor and patio seating.

New landscaping with "green" irrigation systems also are being installed, he said.

Jay said it's taken since 2007 to get all the project's legal ducks in a row.

"We only just got our final approval from the city in late 2008," he said. "There were some traffic issues -- the usual stuff."

Jay said he's not sure what other tenants may move into the new center once it's completed, but his firm is discussing possibilities with several retailers.

He said he realizes right now is a difficult time to be building anything anywhere, but his firm remains undaunted.

"Our company has three shopping centers under development in the middle of a great depression," he said. "But our mission is the rehabilitation of core urban properties, in areas serving a high percentage of minorities, and those types of projects are expanding."

As general contractors, Jay's firm does the building, and it also make it safe with its security arm, he said.

"We're into the rebirth of the inner cities," Jay said. "We hope to rehabilitate the center and bring to the area the retail options it deserves."

Jay said he's especially pleased to be working in Vallejo and hopes to do more here in the future.

"We like Vallejo a lot. It's a hidden gem," he said. "It's one of the most attractive cities in the Bay Area. It has character, history, bluffs overlooking the bay, a harbor, a multi-cultural populace, a mix of high-end and affordable housing and great weather. What else do you need?"

Contact staff writer Rachel Raskin-Zrihen at (707) 553-6824 or RachelZ@thnewsnet.com.