Modesto’s proposal to remake the Standiford Avenue-Highway 99 interchange is drawing objections from Vintage Faire Mall’s owner, which says the change would significantly harm the mall and the other shopping centers at one of the city’s busiest commercial centers.
The city is working with Caltrans to drastically transform the traffic corridor with roundabouts and new roads, including ones on private property the city would acquire from the mall and nearby shopping areas.
The Macerich Co. , which owns Vintage Faire, sent a letter last week to Modesto stating its opposition.
“Macerich stands with our neighbors in strongly urging the city and Caltrans to immediately re-evaluate the current proposal for the interchange project and explore alternatives that better serve the community, the City of Modesto, County of Stanislaus and the state of California,” it reads in part.
The letter says the mall would lose more than 5 acres of parking and at least 635 parking spaces. An additional 270 spaces would become inaccessible because of the public roadway cutting through mall parking along Sisk and Dale roads. The letter says the project would also harm the surrounding shopping areas.