New massive retail center could soon be built in Merced

MERCED, Calif. (KFSN) -- Merced city officials said barren land near Highway 99 could be the new home of the biggest retail development the city has ever seen.

"We want to draw the retail dollar here, and we want to bring more jobs to the community-- this is the way of doing it," said Frank Quintero, Merced Economic Development Director.

After several years in the making the Merced Gateway Retail Center is one council meeting a way to becoming a reality.

Quintero, with Economic Development, can't give out names of retailers yet, but said the center will include retail, entertainment, and food. It will also have an apartment complex; a fire station will also relocate into the area.

"It will bring a using assets such as UC Merced, the new interchange at 99 and Campus Parkway and Mission, but also Campus Parkway connecting up to UC so it just opens so many opportunities for the city."

Just miles from the prospective development is the Merced Mall. It recently announced its own renovations-- something shoppers all agree is much needed.

"Honestly, like, they don't have anything-- sometimes when you're go into the shops, they don't have things you're looking for or you have to go far away to look for a certain thing that you're trying to buy," said Jennifer Guerra, Merced Mall shopper.

"We need it, with the UC-- we need something for the kids to do," said Therese Bauer, Merced Mall shopper.

Quintero said the new center could even help boost the Merced Mall's renovation.

"That synergy, if you look at malls that have expanded, or malls that have developed, they draw of one another."

Along with bringing in new choices, Quintero said the retail center would ultimately create about 2,700 new jobs.

Quintero said they are hoping the city council will approve the retail center during their meeting on August 7th.