New shopping center that could extend retail in Visalia

VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- The drive down Mooney Boulevard in Visalia is changing for the better. New businesses are replacing old vacant buildings-- leaving empty spaces, few and far between.

For Mayor Warren Gubler, it's a welcome sight.

"Mooney Boulevard, when I first got on the council, kind of looked like a ghost town, but since then, it's been really filling up quickly."

Gubler said the two and half mile stretch is packed and it is time to expand to the south. Potentially a new shopping center will be built at the corner of Visalia Parkway and Mooney, across from Target. A developer already has plans to build with strong interest from retailers.

"We'll grease the wheels; we'll do whatever is necessary to work with that retailer to get them permitted so they can start construction as quickly as possible."

The city is reviewing the plans, if approved -- the Visalia Parkway Shopping Center will be the first development of its kind in the city in years.

The mayor said it will be yet another sign of recovery from the recession and it will complement the successful moves taking place downtown.

"It's the old saying, a rising tide lifts all ships," said Gubler.

We talked with the developer who said this will be a 28 acre mixed-use shopping center and if all goes as planned; it will be built by this time next year.