Chelsea breaks ground on new shopping center
Developers say stores, restaurants expected to generate 200 jobs

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers MAKING ROOM- Construction crews began work last week for The Promenade shopping center to be built on the vacant property west of Edwards Cinemas on Ventura Boulevard in Camarillo.

Bulldozers began transforming an open lot earlier this month into what will become 40 new retail shops and restaurants near Ventura Boulevard and Las Posas Road by spring 2009.

The Promenade will be a 255,000-square-foot shopping center located west of Edwards Camarillo Palace 12 and the Camarillo Premium Outlets.

A spokesperson with Chelsea Property Group, owner of the Outlets and The Promenade, said the project is expected to bring 200 new jobs to Camarillo.

The Promenade is also expected to bring in some $525,000 a year in sales tax revenue to Camarillo when it's fully occupied, according to an official with the city's business tax department. In 2006, the Outlets generated more than $2.1 million for city coffers.

The Promenade will be built in California Missionstyle architecture that will complement but look distinctly different from the Outlets. The project will also feature a large outdoor plaza for public events.

The New Jersey-based Chelsea Property Group is the largest developer, owner and operator of outlet centers in the world, with 56 shopping centers in 27 states and abroad, according to the company.

- Michelle Knight