16-Screen Theater Complex Proposed in Simi

Plans for a 170,000-square-foot shopping complex anchored by a 16-screen movie theater will be presented to city officials Monday.

Selleck Properties of Westlake Village hopes to construct a mixed-use center with a 56,500-square-foot theater on the southwest corner of Tapo Canyon Road and Alamo Street, across the street from City Hall, according to Bob Selleck, company president.

The company signed a long-term lease with Regal Cinemas Inc. in early May, contingent upon the city’s approval of Selleck Properties’ development plans.

Regal Cinemas of Knoxville, Tenn., operates more than 2,000 screens nationwide, according to Selleck. Its theaters include an eight-screen complex in Moorpark. Mike Levesque, a Regal executive, could not be reached for comment.

The complex would cost about $20 million and occupy 15 1/2 acres that the developer purchased May 9 from Bank of America, Selleck said. The site is now vacant.

If approved, construction would begin in early 1998 and the center would open in October 1998, Selleck said.

Selleck Properties, whose principals include actor Tom Selleck, is scheduled to file a planned development application Monday with the city Planning Department. The parcel is already zoned for commercial use.

Although he stressed that nothing is guaranteed, Selleck said he has already received a lot of positive feedback from city officials on the project.

“I believe the city will be supportive if we do a good job of designing it properly and meeting the criteria of the [city’s] Specific Plan,” he said. “We know the city wants a project like this. We’re going after a niche that is currently not being served in the community.”

Selleck has for more than two years been seeking input from the Civic Center Ad Hoc Committee, which examines development plans proposed in the Simi Valley City Hall area.

“What they’re trying to do is create a pedestrian orientation for the center,” said Don Penman, assistant city manager. “That’s one of the goals of the Specific Plan. From what I’ve seen thus far, [Selleck Properties’ plans] are very favorable.”

Selleck said the complex would also contain about 1,100 parking spaces, three or four restaurants, several retail shops, a courtyard area with seating and possibly a fountain.

The center’s second anchor tenant could be a national chain store. “We’re hopeful it will be Barnes & Noble,” Selleck said.

The giant bookseller has expressed interest in leasing 20,000 to 25,000 square feet of space, Selleck said, but as much as 40,000 square feet could be secured for another retailer should this deal fall through.

The shopping complex has been in the planning stages for 2 1/2 years--ever since the developers obtained an option to purchase the land from Bank of America, Selleck said.