What does the future hold for the mall?

By Jessica Keller - Argus Observer
Sunday, October 14, 2007 1:46 AM PDT

Once a focal point for retail in Ontario, West Park Plaza has weathered a number of challenges during the past few years. Several owners have purchased and then sold the facility but, according to the mall’s newest administrator, plenty of work is going on behind the scenes.

ONTARIO - Work continues at West Park Plaza in Ontario and mall administrators say they are busy charting discussions with potential retailers.

Still, no firm plans are set, according to Robert Nguyen, a West Park Plaza administrator.

“There’s nothing concrete yet. We’ve been waiting for everybody’s response from retailers,” Nguyen said.

Work, though, at the mall is going forward Nguyen said.

Carla Greenfield-Malson, West Park Plaza public relations and marketing director, said she can’t release any information about projects. She said West Park Plaza administration and management hope to issue a press release with more information to the public soon, however.

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The mall, once a local retail mainstay opened in 1971, encountered tough economic times recently as businesses in the facility dwindled. Since 2004, the facility has weathered a great deal of change.

For example, the facility was sold to Safco Capital Corporation based out of Los Angeles in 2005. After the sale to Safco, speculation filtered throughout the community regarding the future of the mall. Then the facility was put up for sale again. The mall was last purchased by real estate investor Vien Bui, Everett, Wash., in May. At the time, Bui said it was his intent to re-tenant the plaza and make it a commercial draw.

Currently, 22 suites are available for new tenants immediately with two more soon to be available, according to the Web site at www.ontarioshoppingmall.com. The spaces available for lease range in size from 675 square feet to just less than 50,000 square feet, according to the monthly newsletter.

Mall administrators are also working with a local architect, Dion Zimmerman of Gowland-Johnson-Zimmerman Architecture, Payette, on a new look for the outside of the mall, according to the monthly newsletter.