Downtown Housing, Retail Plan Unveiled

A local developer has unveiled the latest ambitious proposal to revitalize downtown Oxnard--a multimillion-dollar development covering more than seven city blocks that would include a Latin-themed marketplace and more than 300 homes.

The City Council on Tuesday approved an exclusive negotiation agreement for the proposed site with the Oxnard-based Expo Development Corp.

The project is proposed for a site between 2nd and 7th streets and between Oxnard Boulevard and the railroad tracks.

“Regardless of where you fall on the growth issue, people seem to agree we need to spruce up what we have,” said Armando J. Lopez, one of the principals of the company seeking to redevelop the area. “We think the timing is right for us to move ahead on this particular project.”

A revitalization project completed in the last few months has improved the appearance of downtown, and negotiations over a proposed multiplex theater continue to creep forward.

The multimillion dollar project is similar to previous proposals that never reached fruition, acknowledged Lopez.

The so-called Marketplace of the Americas would provide more than 100,000 square feet of specialty retail shops showcasing the products of Latin American nations. In addition, the company would renovate a deteriorating historic theater on Oxnard Boulevard and set aside half the homes to be built as senior citizen housing.

Expo Development will spend the next several months conducting a feasibility study, Lopez said.