Politics & Government

Cattleman's Building Heading To Slaughter House

The old Cattlemen's property could soon be home to an AutoZone and a couple other businesses.

Newark is one step away from having two new retail buildings in the heart of its main commercial district.

With Mayor David Smith on vacation, the four present council members at Thursday night’s council meeting approved amendments to allow a proposed development on the old Cattlemen’s restaurant site with a 4-0 vote.

The property has sat vacant for three years on the corner of Jarvis Street and Newark Boulevard.

Find out what's happening in Newarkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The only step left before Imwalle Properties, the San Jose-based development company proposing the project, can begin construction is for the city’s building department to issue a building permit.

“We have plans ready to submit,” said developer Don Imwalle. “Hopefully we can get this through and get started.”

Find out what's happening in Newarkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The existing Cattlemen’s building would be knocked down and replaced with two buildings with a combined 11,000 square feet.

The larger of the two proposed buildings, which would be 6,640 square feet, would house an AutoZone parts store.

Tenants have not been found for the the smaller building, which would be divided into two retail spaces., Imwalle said. One would include a drive-thru, possibly for a coffee shop or a bank.

“It’s not going to be another drive-thru (fast food) restaurant,” Imwalle said.

Imwalle said that Cattlemen’s still owns the property, but his company is in contract to buy it on the condition a building permit is approved.

“You get the building permit one day, you buy the property the next day, you start construction the next day,” Imwalle said.

The development company hopes to begin construction in September, with a targeted opening slated for spring 2012, Imwalle said.

The council unanimously approved five other items on the agenda during a swift meeting that lasted 20 minutes.

Also at Thursday meeting:

  • The council voted to confirm a weed abatement assessment report by the superintendent of streets.
  • MCK Services was selected to perform an asphalt and concrete street overlay project.
  • The council approved the sale of about 4,000 square feet of city property to Justino and Maria Gonzales.
  • The council denied claims of $10,000 and $300 made by citizens for separate police-related incidents.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Newark