Stan Simpson, Buckman-Mitchell, Inc. "We have made a decision obviously a 7-8 figure decision as far as dollars to support the downtown Visalia downtown area."
The insurance company is making the transition into its new home in the eastern section of downtown Visalia.
The rest of this property is owned by the Visalia Citrus Association. As this sign shows, they hope more businesses make the move to this lot.
Stan Simpson: "We hope with our partners Visalia Citrus Association in the next 3-5 years to be able to build two other large business complexes multi story buildings with tenants to increase the economic vitality of this area."
The city is excited about the move and about another private sector move to east downtown. Family Healthcare Network plans to move to this old auto dealership on east Center Street within the next two months.
The city says it's a big part of Visalia's east downtown development over the next year.
Steve Solomon, City Manager: "It's part of trying to grow the downtown make the whole downtown as healthy as possible."
Solomon says the city plans to expand Oak Street, turn this vacant land into a public parking lot and break ground on a new city park.
Solomon: "We're going to very soon be working on the design of a new public safety building which is police and fire administration which will again be down here about 2 blocks."
The city council plans to vote on the latest phase of these plans at their next meeting in a couple weeks.
