VISALIA, CA — A new $7 million project featuring both apartments and shops is proposed for a vacant lot in downtown Visalia, according to plans submitted to city officials this week.
Developer Seng Saephan and architect Norwood David Williams filed formal plans to develop a vacant quarter block at the southwest corner of Main and Liberty streets. The property, located at 617 E. Main St., was the longtime home of the Giant Chevrolet dealership.
The 65,000-square-foot complex will feature two structures: one three stories tall and the other four stories tall.
The project is designed to include up to 41 apartments and six retail storefronts. Nearly 12,000 square feet of the ground floor will be used for shops, designed to match the look of nearby buildings. The residential portion of the complex will also include secured, gated parking for tenants.
This is the first major housing project on Main Street in the city’s microbrewery district. It is expected to bring much-needed housing to an area that has mostly been used for businesses and industry in the past. The site is also located near the future Visalia Civic Center.
The project is part of a larger effort to bring new life to empty lots in the downtown area.
