Wyman Updates Residents on Business Projects at Forum

Economic Development Director Jeff Wyman addresses the crowd at a Menifee 24/7 Community Forum. Menifee 24/7 photo: Kristen Spoon

Guests at this week's Menifee 24/7 monthly Community Forum got an update on business projects in the area from Jeff Wyman, economic development director for the City of Menifee.

For five years, Wyman has overseen efforts to bring commercial and retail development to Menifee, attempting to match the demand for services by a population that has grown over 85,000. There is so much growth taking place in the city, it's difficult to keep track of what's going on and what is in the planning stages. Wyman's presentation and answer to guests' questions shed light on the current situation.

Whether you're wondering about the long-discussed Walmart proposal or the fast-developing Town Center Marketplace, Wyman's presentation had the latest information. For those who were unable to attend, here are some highlights:

Town Center Marketplace

One of many large business complexes coming to Menifee, this will be the first to open doors in the near future. As motorists driving past the parcel on the southwest corner of Newport Road and Haun Road can see, some of the buildings are almost complete and preparations are underway for the parking lots needed for the 12.2-acre site. The Sonic drive-in restaurant (below) is nearly complete and should be one of the first businesses in the center to open, either later this month or early in May. Buffalo Wild Wings is also nearing completion in the center, which will also include:

PetSmart
Party City
Aldi grocery store
Kirkland's
Krispy Kreme doughnuts
The Habit burger grill
Jimmy John's
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


Yes, it will make a busy intersection at Newport Road and Haun Road even busier. Of course, completion of the Newport Road Freeway Interchange later this year certainly will help. One thing's for sure: The project had no trouble attracting businesses to an area as much in need of shopping and dining choices as it is of the many road improvements on the way.

"When I first met with a commercial broker about this project over two years ago, he wasn’t too sure about the potential of a new commercial center here, especially coming out of the recession," Wyman said. "I tried to tell him we really needed amenities and the center should fill up quickly. A year later when I met him again, he was shocked. Before they even broke ground, they were 98 percent leased."

Menifee Town Center

Wyman had to admit that the question most often asked of him is: "When is the theater coming?"

If you're looking for a specific timetable, he can't give you one. Wyman said there were some delays in the purchase of the property and in the developer's submission of plans. City officials hope to see groundbreaking on the project later this year. But there's no doubt the 14-screen Krikorian theater and entertainment complex is definitely coming to Menifee as the anchor of Menifee Town Center. There will be other businesses, including restaurants, in the 174-acre project, but most have not yet been identified. Most residents aren't concerned about that. They'll take the Krikorian complex as a starting point of a center that will open in phases.

According to Wyman, the theater will include a 100-foot movie screen and luxury seating with food service delivered to your seat. There will also be a 16-lane bowling alley and sports bar.

Future plans for the center include sports fields, a park, residential units, a state courthouse (still not finalized) and a civic center that eventually will house City Hall.

The Shops at Menifee Lakes

Grading began this week on the the project, located on the southeast corner of Newport Road and Menifee Road. The anchor will be a Blue Ribbon Stater Bros. market, providing a much-needed grocery shopping option for residents on the east side of the freeway. The center will include a CVS pharmacy and other businesses, possibly including restaurants. That center will open later this year.

Archibald's Drive-Thru and Rite Aid Plaza

Across Menifee Road from Stater Bros. on the southwest corner at Newport Road, structures are going up quickly to house a Rite-Aid store and Archibald's Drive-Thru restaurant. They are expected to open in late spring or early summer. Wyman said a second phase of the project will come later and will include more businesses.

Menifee Lakes Plaza

Wyman expects grading to begin in the next few months on this project, to be located on the northwest corner of Newport Road and Antelope Road. The only confirmed business at this point is an LA Fitness health club. Plans call for a gas station and car wash and other small businesses, but the big question remains a hotel planned for the site.

Wyman said he has had several discussions about bringing a hotel to the site, with one relatively close a few months ago. He remains optimistic about the eventual arrival of a hotel, which is much needed with all the business development in the city.

Additions to Countryside Marketplace

Menifee's first major shopping center will soon have some new tenants. Home Goods and Forever 21 will open soon in the space vacated by Sport Chalet. In addition, the former Beer Hunter location will be the site of a Dog Haus custom hot dog restaurant and a Luxxotica eyewear store.

Several other projects remain in the planning stages and are expected to come to Menifee in the next few years. They include:

The Junction at Menifee and Menifee Crossroads

These projects would be located on either side of Haun Road at the northern border of Scott Road, just west of the freeway. Many residents have complained that beginning construction on these projects before re-design of the Scott Road interchange -- probably a couple years off -- would be a disaster. It now appears that they won't have to worry, because neither project is too close to moving ahead.

Wyman said the Walmart Superstore planned for the Menifee Crossroads project has no date for a groundbreaking, even though all plans have been approved by the city.

"Until recently, they kept telling us they were continuing to move forward," Wyman said. "Recently, they told us they may be waiting on the Scott Road Interchange."

Plans for a second Walmart farther north in the city, at McCall Boulevard and Encanto Drive, also appear to be in the distant future.

The Junction at Menifee has plans including a corner structure symbolic of the city's rural heritage. The project, which would require destruction of the old Bailey farm, awaits the acquisition of an anchor tenant before it will move forward, Wyman said. It is designed as a 528,000-square-foot center including shops and restaurants.

"The project needs large anchors," Wyman admitted. "Something like a Home Depot or Costco has been discussed. We've had some great discussions with Home Depot. They're very interested, but they haven’t quite got to the point of making a decision. It's an approved development, so they can start any time."

Menifee Village Center

Most residents probably aren't aware of this project, a 300,000-square-foot center including restaurants and retail space on the east side of Haun Road between Countryside Marketplace and Holland Road. No timeline is set for this project, which still requires specific plan approval.

The Shops at Newport Road

This is another project little known to most residents and still a ways down the road. However, some tenants have been identified, Wyman said. They include Rosati's Pizza Pub and Dunkin Donuts.

This project would be located on Newport Road west of McDonald's.

Heritage Square Shopping Center

There has been a "coming soon" type sign on both western corners of Menifee Road and McCall Boulevard for years. According to Wyman, the City has received no plans for either and no timetable for when one or both will become reality -- something badly needed for Heritage Lake residents.

The most often discussed is the Heritage Square Shopping Center on the northwest corner. The City is working with the developer, who remains in search of an anchor supermarket. The same is true with another developing across the street for a project that has not been named.

Finally, there remains the frequent request by residents: "We want a Trader Joe's."

Wyman wants to make it clear that the absence of a Trader Joe's market is not for a lack of trying on the City's part. Many discussions have taken place. For now, it won't happen.

"Trader Joe's has specific criteria," Wyman said. "We would love to have them and I know a lot of residents have contacted Trader Joe's as well. But they’re looking for a higher average income. They want to be in more of an urban population, closer to big cities. That doesn’t mean their position won’t change in the future."

Of course, Temecula has a Trader Joe's -- and many have speculated that Menifee's rapid growth puts it in the same direction as its neighbor to the south. Meanwhile, those desiring items similar to Trader Joe's will have the Aldi market in Town Center Marketplace. And in the future? Who knows?

In Menifee, tomorrow continues to look much different than today.

Menifee 24/7 Community Forums are held at 7 p.m. on the last Monday of each month at Merna's Cafe 26850 Cherry Hills Blvd. All are invited to come hear from community leaders. Details on the April 25 forum will be announced soon.