In a sign of confidence in the region's recovering economy, developers have resumed construction of a $150-million shopping center in Oxnard, Calif.
Work on the Collection at RiverPark, a large outdoor mall intended to look like a small-town shopping district, was halted in 2009 when the nation was in a recession. Consumers closed their wallets and retailers canceled expansion plans.
"There was a lot of fear in the markets in 2008 and 2009, and that has gone away," said Colm Macken, chief executive of Aliso Viejo developer Shea Properties. "We are seeing employment growth, and retail sales are increasing."
Most important for Shea: Retailers feel confident enough to sign leases for new stores.
Click here to read more. BD+C
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