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Originally published on the Contra Costa Times
WALNUT CREEK -- A tired-looking 40-plus-year-old shopping center is in the first stages of a total makeover in which a hodgepodge of exteriors will be unified in a modern Craftsman-style design, replete with hardscapes, landscapes, more outdoor seating for its eateries and community gathering spots.
"This is part of our fresh look initiative," says Pete Knoedler, a senior vice president of property owner Regency Centers.
Such a significant aesthetic improvement -- plus roughly 4,000 square feet of additional retail space, bringing the total to 106,261 square feet -- will take months of exfoliation and deep pore cleaning before it comes to glistening fruition.
Demolition and new construction is now eight weeks along, with the beginnings of facade improvements and parking lot reconfiguring at the Encina Grande center at the corner of Oak Grove and Ygnacio Valley roads.
Reshuffling of retail will include a new location for Walgreens and the Oct. 1 exodus of the existing Safeway, which is slated to move to a 24-acre parcel called The Orchards across the street.
The formidable face-lift is making way for the addition of Whole Foods -- occupying the former Walgreens and Safeway locations -- and PetSmart, which will be located next to the Encina Bicycle Center.
"We're bringing the best-in-class retail to the center," Knoedler says, noting that Encina Grande has historically been one of Regency's leading properties -- since acquiring it in 1996 -- out of its 27 centers in Northern California and 347 nationwide, in terms of overall popularity.
Anchor tenants such as Whole Foods "tend to expand the trade area," he adds, noting how the analysis of demographic data, average household income and existing square footage of grocery stores in the vicinity was brought to bear in their decision making.
While Tim Kramer, owner of the long-standing bike store, is enthused by the prospect of a refurbished shopping center with the addition of such attractive tenants, he says he will be "happy when it's all done."
"In the meantime, it's going to be a big mess," he says. "We just have to live through the transition."
It is a bit of a mess on the east end of the center, with the construction of the new Walgreens and facade work on several adjacent businesses. Knoedler concedes traffic flow through the parking lot will continue to be impeded during construction, the developer is "doing everything in (their) power to lesson those concerns."
Phase two construction of the future Whole Foods site is slated for this October, with a tentative grand opening date of early fall 2016.
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