A New Gateway

Plaza work could provide a look at development under citys new general plan

The former Kmart site has been completely empty since January 2014. The owner and city have been working closely to transform the faade for a number of new tenants. Photo: Jim Shilander

By Jim Shilander

While there is still a ways to go in the process, theres now a light at the end of the tunnel for new tenants and major improvements for the former Kmart Plaza on Camino de Estrella. And city staff says the citys new general plan potentially provides a greater backbone for similar developments in the future.

Work on the development could essentially transform the plaza into a bright new city gateway that exemplifies the citys signature architectural style.

The proposal, the initial phase of which was approved by the Planning Commission last month, would see the current facility, which was vacated by Kmart in January, be reworked into three separate stores, sharing variations of Spanish architectural style, with red-tile roofs and white stucco finishes. The three new tenants in the facility include Sports Authority, which will be housed in the section nearest Interstate 5, Stein Mart and grocer Sprouts, which will be located on the seaward portion of the building. The Sports Authority site will also include a copper dome, similar to the final project at Ralphs on El Camino Real. Sprouts will include a red tile roof tower that is reminiscent of the towers at the Miramar Theater.

The second phase of the project is scheduled to go before the planning commission at its next meeting, Nov. 12. The second phase tentatively includes work on all remaining buildings in the shopping center with the exception of Citibank. This includes the space formerly occupied by Big Lots, but also the buildings currently occupied by a number of businesses on the west side of the development. While the Big Lots facility will get a new tenant, the remainder of the buildings will all receivea white stucco facelift. Operating businesses should be able to remain open during the facade work.

The proposed look of the former Kmart plaza on Camino de Estrella incorporates familiar Spanish style features from other San Clemente buildings. Photo: Courtesy.

Changing Initial Plans

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A New Gateway