Auto, Business Center Start Set in Oxnard

Ground breaking is scheduled Saturday for Plaza del Norte, a $200-million business and commercial center in Oxnard that will include a 72-acre auto center with up to 12 dealerships.

The 165-acre project on the north side of the Ventura (101) Freeway between Santa Clara and Rose avenues is being developed by two firms. McLachlan Investment Co., Oxnard, is developing the 93-acre business and commercial center, while the auto center is being developed by Continental Heritage Corp., Los Angeles and Oxnard.

The 1.25-million-square-foot business and commercial center will feature high-volume retail operations such as HomeClub and SportsClub, office space, restaurants and light-industrial space, according to Bob Bierig of McLachlan. The first buildings are scheduled for completion in the fall.

McClellan/Cruz/Gaylord of Irvine is the architect for the retail center, Ware Malcomb Architects, Irvine, is designing the office space; Walker-Rancourt Architects of Escondido and Mainstreet Architects and Planners of Ventura, are the architects of the auto center.