We’ve enjoyed the holidays, and now are looking forward to a new year. As is tradition in my January article, I pause to look back at some of Visalia’s accomplishments in 2013, and note some things to look forward to in 2014.
MOONEY BOULEVARD
Burlington Coat Factory recently opened next door to the new Walmart on South Mooney Boulevard. It’s good to see that commercial center thriving once again. Other upcoming additions to Mooney Boulevard include Black Bear Diner, Dickie’s Bar-b-Que Pit, Mor Furniture for Less, and El Pollo Loco. In the Visalia Mall, new additions include Crazy 8, Starbucks and Sarku Japan. Sleep Train will be opening a mattress discount outlet next to Dick’s Sporting Goods, and America’s Tire Store will be going in just north of Packwood Creek. The big news is that the Sequoia Mall recently completed a short sale to new owner David Paynter. Look for much needed upgrades and new tenants there in 2014.
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN
Downtown continues to thrive, with approximately 96% occupancy. There’s a new Paris Boutique in the former Beverly Fabrics building. Family Health Care Network continues construction on its new 34,607 square foot two-story addition. Other new businesses that are anticipated include Four Creeks Engineering, AGR Partners, San Joaquin Valley Homes, and conversion of the former Gold’s Gym to a professional office building. The new Imagine U Children’s Museum is breaking ground and will be a terrific addition to east downtown (corner of Tipton and Oak). Also a new Pita Kabob will be opening in the former Strubel Auto Parts building on North Court Street. We note with sadness the closing of Link’s Menswear after 72 years in business, but look forward to the remodeling of that building, with new retail space and loft apartments. We wish Bob and Tom the best in retirement. Congratulations to Downtown Visalians which marked its fiftieth anniversary in 2013.
INDUSTRIAL PARK
The Plaza Drive interchange and widening project (a gateway into the Industrial Park) was completed at a cost of $29 million and dedicated in November. VWR is now fully operational with 93 employees. At 500,000 square feet and a cost of $38 million, it will double VWR’s capacity to serve the west coast. An average of 32-42 (not 10,000) trucks a day will be servicing this location. Sorma USA, an agricultural packaging company based in Italy, has established its first US presence with a lease of warehouse distribution space totaling 42,000 square feet, with plans to add a manufacturing component in the future. Expansion of existing businesses in the industrial park include Kaweah Container, Inc., Perfection Pet Foods, Hydrite Chemical Company and California Dairies. An-Fo Pacifica, which provides sterilization equipment to dairies, has opened a 46,272 square foot operation. All of this means more jobs, jobs, jobs.
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS
TJ Maxx recently opened a 22,000 square foot store in the Orchard Walk Shopping Center in North Visalia. A new Wienerschnitzel is planned for East Noble Avenue, and Pizza Factory will occupy the former Sports Zone in the Visalia Market Place (Kmart Center). Phases 3 and 4 of Riverway Sports Park were completed, and include a new playground, promenade area and special events stage, a new picnic shelter and restroom facility. The new Santa Fe Trail, approximately four miles in length, is now built and open for hikers and bikers. The water conservation plant upgrade, new southwest fire station, and new animal control shelter should commence construction in the new year. New single family dwelling permits were up 52% and all building permits were up 9% for 2013 over the prior year. In 2014, also look for the opening of the new splash pad to be installed just south of Rawhide Stadium, along with new pickleball courts in Recreation Park.
CITY UPDATE
Visalia has a new mayor, Steve Nelsen, and a new vice-mayor, Warren Gubler. The city enacted a new shopping cart ordinance, prohibiting the use of wheeled devices in local parks, but at the same time provided storage space for our homeless population at the Visalia Rescue Mission. The city launched a new website, helpvisaliahomeless.com, that includes a resource list and ideas for helping the homeless, “change that counts.” The Visalia Convention Center in October 2013 had revenues of $314,808.00, breaking a five-year old revenue record.
While the state and national economies are just beginning to snap out of their doldrums, Visalia’s economy continues to heat up. More people and businesses are realizing that Visalia is a bright spot on the map, and success begets success. 2014 promises to be another good year for Visalians, and to all our citizens I wish a Happy New Year!
If you have questions or topics regarding the city which you would like to have addressed in future articles, please email Warren at wgubler@ci.visalia.ca.us, or call (559) 713-4400 x 3313. For past articles, visit directfromwarren.blogspot.com.
