West Valley City allocates $65K toward shopping center construction costs

West Valley City • With the help of some redevelopment money, construction is expected to begin soon on a shopping center estimated to generate $3.1 million a year in new retail sales and add about 100 jobs to this west-side community.

The West Valley City Council, sitting as the Redevelopment Agency board, voted Tuesday to allocate $65,000 for Ut Nguyen to put toward construction costs and property improvements for his future International Market Center, 1920 W. 3500 South.

Nguyen plans to connect the new shopping center to his existing Little Saigon Plaza to the east. The International Market will add 10 tenant spaces totaling 18,000 square feet for retail establishments, restaurants or offices.

The project is on a site previously occupied by Twamco, a trailer fabrication business. Nguyen now owns the property and Twamco has moved to a new location.

Under an agreement with the Redevelopment Agency, Nguyen will receive the development assistance payment in three parts — $35,000 immediately, $15,000 after final site plan approval and start of construction and $15,000 when the first tenant opens for business.

The first payment must be used exclusively to demolish an old Twamco building, which city administrators describe as a "tremendous eyesore" and a problem to surrounding businesses. Construction and improvement must be completed within two years.

The shopping center is in a section of the city's Granger Crossings Redevelopment Project Area that is considered severely blighted. The International Market will improve the overall condition of the area and provide a new look for it, RDA officials say.

Little Saigon Plaza has about 15 tenants, including Viva Markets, Pho Saigon Noodle House, El Gallo Loco, Los 2 Gallos, India Bazaar, Amigos Insurance, La Palapa Juice Bar, two hair salons and several mobile phone businesses.

pmanson@sltrib.com

Twitter: @PamelaMansonSLC