2016: Year of the Great Build-out in Menifee

Construction is underway at the Town Center Marketplace, where more than 20 shops and restaurants will open next year. Menifee 24/7 photos: Doug Spoon

The City of Menifee has grown so quickly in population, it's been difficult for road construction and business growth to keep up with it. In a city approaching 85,000 residents, many projects are on the drawing board but can't seem to get here fast enough.

Menifee 24/7 continues to provide updates on the Newport Road freeway interchange, other Interstate 215 bridges and interchanges and the installation of new traffic signals throughout the city. Today, however, we'll focus on the status of several major business projects we are often asked about. Most of them are planned to take place in 2016, making that potentially a big year for residents, business professionals and the Menifee tax base.

Our thanks to Jeff Wyman, economic development director for the City of Menifee, for the information that is provided here.

Krikorian Theater Complex

This project was first announced in May 2014, when Krikorian Premiere Theatres signed an agreement with Regent Properties for the construction of a complex including a 12-screen theater, 16-lane bowling alley and sports bar on the site of what will become Menifee Town Center on Newport Road west of Haun Road.

Yes, it will still happen. And yes, it's taken a while to get the paperwork done. According to Wyman, Krikorian just recently completed purchase of the property and is working on the submission of plans to city officials. There is no guarantee, but city officials are hopeful of an opening some time in 2016.

Town Center Marketplace

Just east of the future site of the Menifee Town Center is the 100,000-sqaure-foot Town Center Marketplace, where you can see construction taking place on the southwest corner of Newport Road and Haun Road. The property is fully leased and here are the businesses expected to be open by spring 2016:

PetSmart
Party City
Aldi grocery store
Kirkland's
Krispy Kreme doughnuts
Buffalo Wild Wings
The Habit burger grill
Jimmy John's
Sonic
Sprint
El Pollo Loco
European Wax Center
Nikki's Nails
SportClips haircuts
Pieology Pizzeria
Yogurtland
Rubio's Mexican Grill
Waba Grill
Active Ride Shop
Ono Hawaiian BBQ
The Joint Chiropractic

Rite Aid center, Newport Road at Menifee Road

As a sign outside the green construction fencing indicates, a Rite Aid store will be built on that corner. Plans have been approved by the Planning Commission and will be forwarded to the City Council and staff for approval. An Archibald's restaurant will also be built on that site. Wyman said that according to the developer, start of construction should take place in the next couple months and opening is expected in August 2016.

Former Albertson's Center, Newport Road and Murrieta Road

The revitalization of that center, once marked by a vacant Alberton's market and other empty storefronts, is now complete. The first new businesses included a 99 Cents Only store and Fitness 19 health club, which has been tremendously popular and recently expanded to 20,000 square feet -- the largest facility in the company.

The most recent addition is True Value Hardware, which had its grand opening last month.

"The center has sprung back to life and is again a vibrant center, with likely more activity than before," Wyman said about the center, which also includes Menifee Bicycles Inc. "These are great amenities for the city and I am sure they will be very successful, especially with all the great new homes being constructed just down the street in Audie Murphy Ranch."

The Shoppes at The Lakes

Across from the future site of the Rite Aid, on the southeast corner of Newport Road and Menifee Road, planning for a Stater Bros. market is moving along. The developer has submitted construction plans to the city for approval and the market is expected to open in late summer or early fall 2016, Wyman said. That center will also include a CVS pharmacy and additional stores and restaurants.

Menifee Lakes Plaza

Some grading has taken place but construction has not yet started at this center, to be built on the northwest corner of Newport Road and Antelope Road. According to Wyman, the one business planned as an anchor for the center is an LA Fitness health club. Tentative plans for a hotel have been approved, but a specific hotel brand hasn't yet been identified. Construction is expected to start early next year.

Additions to Countryside Marketplace

Menifee's first big retail center, located on the southeast corner of Newport Road and Haun Road, has received commitments from four new businesses.

The Dog Haus, a craft gourmet hot dog, sausage, and burger restaurant, will open at the location formerly occupied by The Beer Hunter. Luxottica Eyewear, a luxury sports eyewear store, has also leased a space there. Opening for those businesses is expected in early 2016.

Home Goods and Forever 21 are expected to open in the Marketplace by summer of 2016.

Four other long-range projects almost certainly won't come to fruition in 2016 but remain in the planning stages.

Wal-Mart has purchased two sites in Menifee -- one on Scott Road just west of Interstate 215 and the other on McCall Boulevard at Encanto Road. Wyman said the store closest to beginning construction is the Scott Road site, which could begin building in 2016. The McCall store is probably a few years down the road, he said.

Two sites at the intersection of McCall Boulevard and Menifee Road are possible sites for retail centers. "The owner of one of the corners is very motivated to get a commercial center going and the city has been working with the owner to actively seek tenants," Wyman said. Such a center would be a valuable shopping option for Heritage Lake residents.