OXNARD : Factory Outlet Plan Shown to Council

Oxnard leaders got their first view Tuesday of a factory outlet center proposed for the city’s booming northeast area.

In a preliminary review of the development at the Oxnard City Council meeting, council members said they worried that the popular outlet stores would take away business from area merchants.

“We don’t want to ruin a lot of local businesses just because (factory outlets) can sell the same thing at a cheaper price,” said Councilman Michael Plisky.

The Carl M. Buck Building Co. of Los Angeles wants to build the 284,000-square-foot center on 27 acres south of the Ventura Freeway, between Rice and Rose avenues. The city has approved a long line of high-volume retail centers in the area that are expected to draw customers from throughout the region.

The architectural plan calls for the outlet center to be surrounded by a unique farm-like setting, complete with a water tower and a silo.

Factory outlet centers, generally occupied by brand-name manufacturers selling their wares at a discount, have become popular tourist attractions in recent years.

There are about 250 factory outlets nationwide, according to the developer, with about another 130 in the planning stages.

“I think the kinds of retail tenants we would bring to Oxnard are not here now,” said John Cahill, representing the developer. “We want to come to Oxnard and become a part of this community.”

If approved, the outlet stores are expected to draw customers from an area ranging from the western San Fernando Valley to Santa Barbara.