MURRIETA -- "Fantastic!"

"Just what we need!"

"I'm so excited! No more driving to Temecula."

Those were some of the positive responses Saturday from residents about a proposed plan for the Golden Triangle, arguably the most valuable piece of property in Murrieta.

The project, on 65 acres between Interstates 15 and 215 south of Murrieta Hot Springs Road, is proposed to be a 625,000-square-foot mixture of restaurants, a movie theater, a hotel with a conference center and shopping.

Some of the restaurants already on board include: PF Chang's China Bistro, King's Fish House and the Elephant Bar Restaurant, said development spokesman Jeff Greene of O'Reilly Public Relations. Edwards Theaters has signed-on to open a 14-screen movie theater with stadium seating, and Hilton Garden Inn has agreed to open a hotel at the center, Greene said, adding that the developers hope to have the center open by late 2008.

Residents browsed through video based on computer models and conceptual drawings of the proposed project at a booth set up at the city's 15th birthday party Saturday. City officials said they wanted to hear what residents thought of the plan for the Golden Triangle.

"It's going to be nice," resident Keith Bryant said as he looked through the drawings.

Bryant heard the city was originally going to do a western-themed entertainment center at the triangle, but said he prefers the idea of having shopping and nice restaurants at the site.

Another resident, Bernadette Mauldin, said Murrieta needs nice restaurants.

"I'd like to stay here to shop or eat instead of going to Temecula all the time," Mauldin said.

The plan, by Winchester-based Domenigoni Barton Properties and Lewis Retail Centers of Upland, also includes a community amphitheater, an outdoor fireplace, a children's play area, water fountains and 40,000 square feet of office space.

Anne Bowman, who has lived in Murrieta for almost four years, said she's won't have to drive to other cities for shopping and restaurants once the center is built.

"I'm so excited to have something like this in Murrieta," Bowman said.

Long-time resident Rita Park said she prefers to shop in Murrieta.

"I lived here for 42 years and shopped at the commissary at March Air Force Base for 31 years," Park said. "I want to shop in Murrieta now."

Contact staff writer Laura Mitchell at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2621, or lmitchell@californian.com.