Rossmoor Shopping Center’s anticipated makeover was delayed by a couple of months from its projected February start date, but initial site work is scheduled to commence in May, according to shopping center owner Terrence Tallen of Tallen Capital Partners, LLC.

“We plan to start site work within the next month and then begin the construction phase,” said Tallen, who purchased the property in 2012.

“It took us a little longer than expected to get all the permits finalized and there’s always a bit of lag time between getting the permits and when contractors begin work,” said Tallen, who received a unanimous thumbs-up for the project from Walnut Creek City Council in April 2016.

Tallen explained that preliminary site work includes such things as grading, establishing entrances and landscaping. During the construction phase, some buildings will be torn down, new foundations will be laid, and new buildings erected.

Plans for the old-fashioned shopping center, which was built 50 years ago, include a new main plaza that will be the heart of the center. The plaza will be surrounded with new food tenants, bocce ball court, shady trees and seating. Improved footpaths and crosswalks will be installed for easy access and improved pedestrian safety.

The work will be done in several phases. When it’s finished, in an estimated 10 to 12 months, the reconfigured shopping center will include an additional 30,000 square feet of new building – and hundreds of new trees.

Safeway remodel
Safeway is going to be remodeled first, both inside and out; CVS will be housed in a new, larger building with a drive-through pharmacy; Starbucks will open in a 2,000-square-foot space on the Tice Valley Boulevard side of the center, complete with a drive-up window; and new restaurants are planned, including outdoor dining. It is anticipated that Rossmoor Diner will stay, but in a different spot.

“Our long-term tenant mix will have more restaurants, as well as retail, service and medical businesses,” said Tallen.

There will be plenty of parking with four spaces for every 1,000 square feet of retail. There will be more handicap parking and less compact car spaces.

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate has already signed a new long-term lease and has moved into its new spot next to Chase Bank across Rossmoor Parkway. Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank and Chevron have extended their leases and the Post Office will also remain a tenant.

Since construction will be done in phases, all current tenants will be able to stay open, minimizing inconvenience to tenants and shoppers alike.

Entertainment for all ages
When the renovation is complete, including shady outdoor seating and dining areas, there are plans to bring a variety of entertainment to the center.

“We’re planning on having music, bocce ball court, fire pits and a large outdoor screen for showing such things as major sporting events,” said Tallen. “We’re working to make this shopping center a modern amenity that will be a go-to place for Rossmoor residents as well as citizens and visitors to Walnut Creek.”

Visit SGPA Architecture and Planning’s website at www. sgpa.com and click on Projects, Retail, and then Rossmoor Shopping Center to see photos of the final renovation.

Rossmoor residents ran out of superlatives when describing the renovated Tice Creek Fitness Center. “I love it. It’s what we’ve been waiting for. It didn’t disappoint,” said Marcia Schwartz. “It outdoes the older (local) fitness places. … There are no complaints here.” Ron Schwartz agreed. “It’s fabulous.” The center had a low key opening last Wednesday. A constant stream of residents, estimated to total about 1,000 on the first two days, toured the center. Fitness staff gave tours, instruction on how to use the new equipment and demonstrations.

Residents were enthusiastic about what they saw. The Fitness Center just underwent a $10 million renovation that saw the building gutted down to the outside walls and turned into a contemporary facility filled with new fitness equipment.

Residents said they liked that there was more state-ofthe-art equipment, additional exercise rooms, a gym with two pickleball courts and one basketball court, a feeling of
spaciousness, a low noise level and the large windows that let people see out and let in natural light.

If there were some complaints, it was that there was no coffee bar and that residents no longer have a reason not to exercise.

“Oh my goodness, I think it’s out of this world. Look at all the people using it (the center and its equipment),” said Janey King who stopped in after her water aerobics class. “This is first class – I love it.”

Gloria Crabbe said, “It’s amazing. They did a wonderful job. They couldn’t have done better.”

Residents wasted no time to try out the exercise equipment. Within a half hour of the opening, most of the equipment was in use.

Because the Tice Creek Fitness Center has so many visits, residents are advised to take a Rossmoor bus or carpool to the facility because of limited parking. There were well over 186,000 visits to the center in 2016, the last year figures were available, said Tim O’Keefe, Rossmoor CEO. It’s expected that usage of the facility will increase 10 to 30 percent this year, drawing as many as 240,000 visits.