Oct. 7, 2008 — New ownership has paved the way for some much-needed work at the Lassen Shopping Center, located at 2545 Main St. The plaza, which houses many businesses including Round Table Pizza, Dollar Tree, Kragen Auto Parts, and Curves, was purchased a little over a year ago by the Phillips-Edison Company out of Salt Lake City, Utah.

The company specializes in acquiring under-performing shopping centers and bringing the buildings up-to-date for future lease, said city of Susanville Community Development Director Bill Nebeker.

According to Nebeker, Edison plans to make the facility more modern, and also has tentative plans for a lease agreement with a clothing store.

The name of the potential clothing store has not yet been released, though Nebeker said nothing is finalized, and the potential clothing store would not move in until sometime next year.

The project was given the go-ahead earlier this year, said Nebeker, and repair efforts to the façade of the building began in September.

The area formerly occupied by a grocery store in the center of the plaza is due to receive most of the repair efforts, said Nebeker, including tenant improvement on the inside and replacement of the old loading dock in the rear of the building.

That section of the building has been empty for more than 10 years, Nebeker said, and overall maintenance has been lacking.

“There is a lot of physical deterioration, especially in the back loading dock; we are happy to see someone come in and help restore the building,” said Nebeker.

He said that in addition to work on the inside and façade, the loading dock will be removed, and the back lot repaved.

After repairs are done to the area formerly occupied by the Lassen Career Network, said Nebeker, Dollar Tree plans to move into the space from its current location on the other end of the shopping center.

Dollar Tree’s new location will be able to accommodate a larger store. Edison plans to find a new business for the spot left vacant by the store’s move.

Lassen Career Network, which was previously located in the plaza, has temporarily moved to 1600 Chestnut. LCN will move into its permanent location at 1616 Chestnut on Nov. 3.

Diamond Mountain Charter School will be moving to a newer location as well, though the terms of the lease have not yet been decided.

One additional space will also be available between the new Dollar Tree and the potential clothing store, said Nebeker.

The Dollar Tree move is planned to take place before the December holiday season, he said.

No tentative finish date for the entire remodel has been set.