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SAN JOSE, CA-Locally based retail developer Westrust expects to begin moving dirt in the next 30 days for the largest power center in the history of San Jose, and interest by retailers has been high. Named "the Plant" in deference to its former life as the General Electric Motor Plant, the 55-acre development is slated for a soft opening early next summer with 502,000 sf of national power anchor tenants, 85,000 sf of inline space, 14 food outlets, two gas stations and 8,000 sf of office space.

The $137-million, 646,000-sf project is a joint venture of locally based Westrust, Pacific Coast Capital Partners of Palo Alto, CA and Vornado Realty Trust of New York. Westrust secured the project through an RFP put out by GE. The company was selected in the fall of 2004. After a lengthy demolition and environmental clean-up, which was performed by GE, the property was handed over in March, Westrust partner Sean Whiskeman tells GlobeSt.com.

The Plant is located south of San Jose in an area that is transitioning. Nearby, more than 6,000 attached and detached homes are in the process of being built in two new communities known as Communications Hill and Dairy Hill. Whiskeman says the project is well positioned between existing competing centers such as Oakridge Mall and Eastridge Mall.