Mills Corporation Unveiles Plans for Huge Retail & Entertainment Complex

Mills to present Vallejo fairground plans

By Warren Lutz

FAIRFIELD -- The public will get a glance at what a retail developer has planned for the Solano County Fairgrounds when the Board of Supervisors meets today.

Mills Corporation unveiled its ideas for turning the 150-acre property off Interestate 80 in Vallejo into a huge retail and entertainment complex.

Current plans call for eliminating the horse-racing track and golf course and building a sports complex, an arena and exhibit halls. Mills predicts the project could produce 2,500 permanent jobs and pour $525 million into the local economy.

Mills Corporation must submit a final plan by Oct. 15. The Solano County Fair Association and the Board of Supervisors have until Dec. 15 to approve or vote down the plans.

Mills Corporation was selected as the master developer of the fairgrounds last September. Last month, the company submitted four different ideas for the site. Construction could start in 2006 or 2007.

County supervisors are not expected to take any action on the plans.

Mills Corporation owns, leases, manages and markets 25 retail and entertainment complexes, including the Great Mall of the Bay Area in Milpitas, which it bought last year.

Solano County owns the 152-acre fairgrounds fronting Interstate 80 and the fair association operates the annual fair.

The Virginia-based large mall developer is planning community meetings to introduce its plan to the public, Solano County Fair Manager Joe Barkett said. Anyone who wishes to see the plans can contact the Solano County Fair Association at 551-2000.

Reach Warren Lutz at 427-6955 or at wlutz@dailyrepublic.net

At a glance:

Who: Solano County Board of Supervisors

What: Receive Mills Corporation's preliminary plans for redeveloping fairgrounds

When: 9 a.m. Tuesday

Where: Board of Supervisors chambers, 580 Texas St., Fairfield

Info: 421-6100