Lots of construction is taking place in Menifee

Canyon Lakers who shop in Menifee or pass through to get to the 215 Freeway are noticing many building projects, most right off Newport Rd.

Most important to commuters who access I-215 at Newport Rd. is the progress on the interchange construction. The $48.4 million project will provide easier freeway access with a new cloverleaf on- and off-ramp design. Newport Rd. also will be widened to four lanes in each direction on the overpass to improve traffic flow. The overall project is scheduled for completion by winter 2016.

According to documents at cityofmenifee.us, striping on the southbound off-ramp was delayed due to rain. Crews expected to complete the striping this past Wednesday, with the new ramp scheduled to open yesterday, January 14. The new northbound loop on-ramp is anticipated to be completed this spring.

In other projects, most noticeable to Canyon Lakers is the grading of hillsides for a new Audie Murphy residential development just east of Canyon Lake Community Church. In November, Woodside Homes unveiled Remington, its newest collection of single-family homes at Audie Murphy Ranch. Spirit Park, an Audie Murphy Ranch park that is open to the public, located at the intersection of Newport and Berea Roads, held its grand opening on December 5.

Across from the Menifee Countryside Marketplace on Haun Rd., construction is well underway on the 100,000-sq.-foot Town Center Marketplace. According to Jeff Wyman, economic development director for the City of Menifee, the property is fully leased, with the following businesses expected to open by spring 2016:

PetSmart, Party City, Aldi grocery store, Kirkland’s, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, Buffalo Wild Wings, The Habit burger grill, Jimmy John’s, Sonic, Sprint, El Pollo Loco, European Wax Center, Nikki’s Nails, SportClips haircuts, Pieology Pizzeria, Yogurtland, Rubio’s Mexican Grill, Waba Grill, Active Ride Shop, Ono Hawaiian BBQ and The Joint Chiropractic.

Across the wash from the Town Center Marketplace is another commercial development known as the Menifee Town Center. The landscaped entrance to the Town Center can be seen on Newport Rd. west of Haun Rd. In that complex, Krikorian Premiere Theatres recently completed purchase of its property and is working on the submission of plans for a 12-screen theater, 16-lane bowling alley and a sports bar. City officials hope to see that open some time in 2016.

The Menifee Countryside Marketplace also will get some new businesses. The Dog Haus will open at the location formerly occupied by The Beer Hunter. Others are Luxottica Eyewear, Home Goods and Forever 21, the latter two by summer 2016.

Closer to Canyon Lake, the former Albertson’s Center at Newport and Murrieta Roads once again is thriving with new businesses, including a 99 Cents Only store and Fitness 19 health club, which recently expanded to 20,000 square feet. The newest addition is True Value Hardware, which had its grand opening last month.

Further east, past I-215, plans are in the works for a Rite Aid center with Archibald’s restaurant at the intersection of Newport and Menifee Roads. Across from that is The Shoppes at the Lakes, a strip mall that will include Stater Bros and CVS pharmacy, plus additional stores and restaurants. The Menifee Lake Plaza on the corner of Newport and Antelope Roads will be anchored by LA Fitness health club and a hotel. Construction is scheduled to start early this year.

Wal-Mart has purchased two sites in Menifee – one on Scott Rd., just west of I-215 and the other on McCall Blvd. at Encanto Rd. Construction on the Scott Rd. site may begin this year.