Grading begins for region's second largest shopping center

By: CHRIS BAGLEY - Staff Writer | Tuesday, June 19, 2007 10:28 PM PDT ∞

MENIFEE -- With a legal challenge settled, earthmovers now have the run of 68 acres at Newport Road and Haun Road, where a developer plans to open Southwest County's second-largest shopping center late next year.

With 735,000 square feet of shops and restaurants, Countryside Marketplace would be the Menifee area's largest retail center by far, albeit less than half the size of the giant retail complex that includes The Promenade mall in northern Temecula.

Jeff Chambers, an executive with Costa Mesa developer Donahue Schriber, said he expects a new Kohl's department store and a relocated Target discount store to open in October 2008 in the center.

Other confirmed tenants are Lowe's, Best Buy, Linens & Things, Staples, Petco, Sport Chalet and Old Navy. BJ's Restaurant & Brewery, TGI Friday's, Red Robin, In-N-Out Burger and Chick-fil-A restaurants also are expected.

"We have about 90 percent commitment on 740,000 square feet," Chambers said.

Bulldozers and other machinery have crisscrossed the site in recent weeks to level it. Chambers said construction is expected to begin early next year.

The preparations follow an attorney's agreement to dismiss a lawsuit he had filed. Cory Briggs of Upland sued in late February on behalf of an entity called Menifee Citizens for Smart Growth, contending that Riverside County gave inadequate public notice before various government panels gave their approvals. The group's members and exact form were never publicly known.

Court records show that Briggs requested the dismissal and that he signed it May 2. Chambers said the attorney and the developer settled the case out of court. Chambers declined to discuss the agreement, citing a confidentiality clause.

Supervisor Jeff Stone, whose district includes the area, had criticized the lawsuit, calling it a cynical attempt to make money on the project.

Many residents of Menifee, a formerly rural area that has swelled to some 50,000 people this decade, have said that they have grown tired of trekking into Temecula or Riverside to shop, and said they support the project.

A relatively small but well-organized group of cityhood proponents has also been counting on the project to provide much of the crucial sales tax revenue they say will be needed in the early years of Menifee Valley, a city that would be composed of Menifee, neighboring Sun City and Quail Valley. The Menifee Municipal Advisory Council, whose members Stone appoints, is also heavily composed of cityhood backers.

Chambers, Stone and the advisory council are hosting an informational session on the development today.

-- Contact staff writer Chris Bagley at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2615, or cbagley@californian.com.

Informational meeting

  • What: Q&A session on 735,000-square-foot shopping center

  • Where: Webb Hall, 26850 Sun City Boulevard, Sun City

  • When: 7 to 9 p.m. today

  • Who: Jeff Chambers, executive with developer Donahue Schriber

  • Why: To answer residents' questions about coming stores and restaurants

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    Pre-Registration Comments[-]Go to Top

    yeah wrote on Jun 20, 2007 7:10 AM:Finally, we will have some big chain restruants and stores. I look forward to NOT having to go to Temecula or Murrieta and fight traffic!

    to corry briggs wrote on Jun 20, 2007 3:17 PM:mucho deniro????

    YAHOOOO!!!! wrote on Jun 21, 2007 9:18 PM:I can't wait for this place. FINALLY a restaurant other than Coco's or going to temecula! This place is going to be SWEET!!!!!

    Whats dat noise? wrote on Jun 22, 2007 7:42 AM:Oh yeah. It's Teme-tucky crying because they're going to lose Menifee's money. Ha ha ha!

    Stay away then wrote on Jun 22, 2007 7:58 AM:If you have such a problem coming to Temecula, then don't. We won't even notice you're not here.

    Courtney wrote on Jun 22, 2007 9:45 AM:ITS ABOUT TIME!!!!!

    to stay away wrote on Jun 22, 2007 1:13 PM:It's not that we have a problem going to Temecula. It's just nice not to HAVE to go and fight the traffic.

    Christy wrote on Jun 25, 2007 10:08 AM:So if have started grading, why would it take till October of 2008 to complete.And is there going to be stores on the other side of Haun or homes? Glad to see something has started. this is a "much" needed shopping area.

    John wrote on Jun 25, 2007 11:39 AM:Thank heavens for this! I am also sick of going to Temecula all the time to eat...

    James R. wrote on Jun 28, 2007 6:22 PM:Attended the MAC meeting with Developer. I can NOW envision the traffic nightmare, simular to that in Temecula. {:( GET IT OUT OF HERE!!!

    billy bob jones wrote on Jul 1, 2007 9:29 PM:What about traffic on the 215 now? A huge shopping center with poor roads, looks like Menifee will be a little Temecula.

    Blue Box Blues wrote on Jul 1, 2007 9:32 PM:That Best Buy is going to make a ton of money. Sorry Circuit City...you should have thought of that location.

    Gary in Murrieta wrote on Jul 1, 2007 10:35 PM:Add an Ice Skating Rink and it will be perfect. We are getting tired of driving to Riverside or Escondido, but our daughter isn't.

    Poorly executed wrote on Jul 2, 2007 5:12 PM:It would be nice to see the planners widen roads/freeways prior to going forward with projects like this. I am glad to see some new shops and restaurants, but since they opened Newport through to Diamond Valley pkwy it can take me 20 MINUTES to go the one mile from my house to the freeway. Little Temecula here we come :(

    Terry wrote on Jul 8, 2007 5:54 PM:It is long over due, resale property values have taken a beating in the last year, This in part is a result of poor shopping and no decent restaurants that you could take family out to. Where is the local pups and family centers? Please no more Coco's honey!

    Jeff wrote on Jul 13, 2007 9:28 AM:Bought damn time I have lived off newport for 20+ years. We were excited about target back in the day! This is gonna be huge. On the downside though we need to open up more lanes on the 215 and widen out newport road. The traffic is going to be nuts!

    Yahoo wrote on Jul 17, 2007 6:57 PM:Thank goodness! I sure hope this new shopping center will alleviate the majority of traffic coming into Temecula..relief is in sight!

    thrilled! wrote on Jul 17, 2007 7:02 PM:Temecula is thrilled you will soon get your mall, along with all the residents from Perris, Moreno Valley, Lk. Elsinore and more traffic in an alreadly congested area. Good luck!

    ront wrote on Aug 7, 2007 2:24 AM:i have lived away from the area for about 20 years. what have you people done to that area. used to be wide open now it looks like santa ana. well uncle jed if we cant move to the city we will build a new one. yahoo granny

    Hmmm... wrote on Aug 16, 2007 1:54 PM:Why is "thrilled" so bitter. Is this person trying to imply there is something wrong with all people from Perris, Moreno Valley, Lk Elsinore? I just don't understand why some people are so mean. For one, Moreno Valley has all of these store. Temecula is easier to get to from Elsinore than Menifee. None the less were happy to have everyone. As for you, "thrilled" Be Happy, Not Hateful!!!

    Sondra wrote on Sep 21, 2007 10:30 PM:What, no Jack In The Box??? I think we need at least one more!!!!

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