Groundbreaking set for Sylmar complex

Amid a declining economy and in one of the Valley� s more depressed areas, developers are going to break ground this week on a 20,000 square-foot mall in Sylmar that will feature new restaurants and shops, and should generate millions in economic activity, along with dozens of jobs. Sylmar CA. 3-10-2011. (John McCoy/Staff Photographer)

A $2.6 million shopping center/office complex, with a Mediterranean design and upscale restaurants, is coming to Sylmar.

The Hubbard Village Center, a 23,000-square foot center, is to be built at 14117 Hubbard St., near Glenoaks Boulevard, on land that once had three single-family homes that were torn down as part of the plan to develop the site. A formal groundbreaking ceremony will be held on Thursday.

The project will also allow one of the developers, Ralph Torres - known as Rapha to his friends - to keep his Casa Torres Restaurant in business.

"This really is about the American dream and a success story," Councilman Richard Alarc�n said. "They have built a tremendous business over the years."

Alarc�n said the houses on the site were not appropriate for the area and the new center is more in line with what he believes is needed in Sylmar.

"They actually tried to get this started a couple of years ago, but they were unable to get the financing because of the recession," Alarc�n said. "We were able to work with them to find the money needed for the project."

Al Avila, a spokesman for the project, said Casa Torres, which is adjacent to the development, is being forced to relocate because of plans to reconfigure the center at 12631 Glenoaks Blvd.

"He was faced with being closed and he was able to go ahead and develop this property to move his restaurant," Avila said. Torres owns the restaurant,

two banquet halls and a catering business, Avila said.

Construction is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with the opening of restaurants and stores in early 2012.

The Valley Economic Development Center worked with United Bank to put the financing package together for Torres and his business partner, Albert Gonzalez.

The land was rezoned five years ago and the two have been working since then to get the financing and worked with VEDC to arrange it.

The project will create 150 construction jobs and an undetermined number of permanent jobs once the project is complete.

In addition to Casa Torres, the developers hope to open a sushi restaurant at the center.

Also, Avila said there are negotiations under way to lease 65 percent of the office space to an insurance firm.

The center, which will be L-shaped, will have 8,000 square feet available for retail development and another 6,000 square feet for offices.

The project has the support of the Sylmar Neighborhood Council and the Sylmar Chamber of Commerce.

Tyra Banks Veronika Vaeková Ana Hickmann Danneel Harris Jennifer Scholle