SAN FERNANDO

Mexican-Style Square at Heart of City Revitalization Proposal

The creation of a “zocalo,” or a Mexican-style downtown square where people can mill about while mariachis stroll by, lies at the heart of an ambitious plan by a Pacoima developer to revitalize part of San Fernando’s downtown commercial district.

The proposed zocalo project also calls for a movie theater, shops and restaurants to flank the public plaza in an attempt to lure pedestrians to the downtown San Fernando Mall area. City officials will take a look at the proposal during a short presentation Monday.

“The concept of zocalo is to bring a town square atmosphere to San Fernando,” said Severyn I. Ashkenazy, president of Zevco Construction & Development.

City Administrator Mary Strenn said the presentation will give the San Fernando City Council an idea of the scope of the project, which would be located in a redevelopment area near Maclay Avenue and Celis Street. The council, acting as the Redevelopment Agency, will consider a staff request to hire a consultant to further study the project and its financial implications.

Strenn said she does not know how much the agency can contribute in terms of financing or assistance with land acquisition to make the project a reality.

“These type of projects cost a lot of money,” she said. “We just have to look at it very carefully.”

Proposed Town Square San Fernando city officials take a look Monday at a proposed development to create a zocalo,or downtown square, in the city’s main commerical district. The development also includes a movie theater, retail shops and resturants. Council memebers will consider a staff request to hire a consultant to further study the project if they like the concept.