SIMI VALLEY : Council Rules Out Mall Site Purchase

The Simi Valley City Council has decided against trying to buy 121 acres of land that is earmarked for a regional mall.

But city officials said the council’s decision Monday will not delay the planned development of the mall on a site north of the Simi Valley Freeway between 1st Street and Erringer Road.

Assistant City Manager Bob Hunt said the council withdrew from negotiations to purchase 33 acres on the mall site owned by former Councilman Bill Baker and 88 acres represented by Mitchell Realtors.

The council made the decision after learning that Baker has changed his mind about selling his property to the city and is now trying to sell it to private interests, Hunt said.

Wal-Mart, which is considering building a store in Simi Valley, is one of the developers looking at Baker’s property, Hunt said.

Some officials had reservations from the start about getting the city involved in purchasing property for the mall, which developer Melvin Simon & Associates has put on hold until the economy improves.

The plan approved last fall already ensures that the 129-acre mall site, which includes the Baker and Mitchell properties, can be used only for that development, he said.

A project such as a Wal-Mart may be acceptable on the site because the regional mall plan includes retail and commercial developments surrounding the main shopping center, Hunt said.