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An Update on Foothill Boulevard’s Changing Face

Out with the old, in with the new: Panera Bread is expected to open mid-August on the site formerly occupied Michael J's Family Restaurant

Out with the old, in with the new: Panera Bread is expected to open mid-August on the site formerly occupied by Michael J's Family Restaurant

Various commercial projects and activities continue to impact Foothill Blvd. in La Verne. Hal Fredericksen, head of La Verne’s Community Development Department, provided this April 14, 2010 update:

Panera Bread (formerly Michael J’s Restaurant), 2315 Foothill Blvd. at Fruit St.

The new Panera Bread Restaurant is officially under construction, with the current demolition of the old Michael J’s Restaurant building. Permits have been issued for both the construction and current demolition. The Panera Bread Restaurant contractor estimates a four-month construction, which places an expected completion and opening in mid-August of this year.

Magnolia Court senior citizen condominiums (101-units), 2552 Foothill Blvd.

The Magnolia Court senior-citizen condominiums on Foothill Blvd., just east of Towne Center Dr., continue under construction, with completion estimated by the builder in October of this year. The developer intentionally slowed down their construction due to the slow residential sales market, especially given this project being so dependent upon downsizing homeowners’ utilizing their existing equity. The developer, Hsientien Co., has worked closely with the City to have all on-site construction materials tested by independent analysis to verify and guarantee the construction material’s soundness and acceptability following the considerable exposure to the elements. The City looks forward to the completion and occupancy of the project.

Former Person Ford dealership, 2855 Foothill Blvd.

The City is working closely with the Gillette family and a developer towards the redevelopment of the vacant Foothill Ford site. Both a neighborhood retail shopping center and a mixed-use commercial/residential development have been presented for City consideration. The City is presently working with the developer to evaluate these potential developments. A full public hearing and process will occur before any approvals are considered.

Kiddie Academy preschool, 931 Baseline Rd, near Foothill Blvd.

A Kiddie Academy preschool, across from Denny’s Diner Restaurant, is under construction and expected to be finished this summer.

Vacant Vons store, 1475, Foothill Blvd, at Wheeler Ave.

The City continues to work with the Vons/Safeway Corporation and their broker towards a new tenant for the vacant Vons Store The combination of Vons limitation on leasing or selling to other grocers and the very depressed retail market have made it difficult to land an acceptable tenant for the building. There is some interest from at least two quality tenants, but no deal has been reached at this point. The City and its Redevelopment Agency remain committed to seeing occupancy for this space as soon as possible.

For more information on these and other developments in the City, readers are invited to contact the City of La Verne’s Community Development Dept. at (909) 596-8706 or hal@ci.la-verne.ca.us [1].