DISCOVERY PARK ADVANCES DEVELOPER PREPARES TO MARKET PLAN.

Byline: Cecilia Chan Staff Writer

THOUSAND OAKS - With overwhelming support from city officials and residents, the developer of Discovery Park will go to market with a project that includes a hands-on museum, an IMAX theater and 12-screen multiplex and retail stores.

On Tuesday night, the City Council unanimously approved the conceptual site plan for the 11-acre development on Thousand Oaks Boulevard, despite Councilwoman Linda Parks' reservations that a 12-screen theater may not fit in with the proposed educational center.

Parks, a co-founder of the Ventura County Discovery Center, which would include the IMAX theater and museum within Discovery Park, wanted to withhold council action and go back out to the public for more input.

``Timing is critical,'' said developer Rick Caruso. ``At this time we need to see if it can be done. The economy is great, but retail is withdrawing a bit. We have to go out to market to see if it's viable.''

Caruso said he hopes to begin construction this summer and be open by spring 2001.

Plans include a man-made lake, a museum with an IMAX theater, restaurants, retail, office space, cinemas and a six-level parking structure.

Discovery Center within the park would be built in two phases, with the IMAX going up first.

However, if the museum doesn't have the money raised by the time construction begins, Caruso said his company would build and control the colossal screen theater. He said he was willing to work with the Discovery Center on a revenue-sharing agreement.

Mary Anne Issac, executive director of the Discovery Center, said the council's approval Tuesday allowed the organizers to vigorously pursue their fund-raising efforts.

More than two dozen people asked the council to approve the plan, saying it would boost the planned revitalization of Thousand Oaks Boulevard and provide needed activity for families. They also praised the developer for his proven track record.

Caruso's company, Caruso Affiliated Holdings, built The Promenade at Westlake, The Village in Moorpark and The Commons in Calabasas.

``This would provide Thousand Oaks with a truly unique city center, something not duplicated elsewhere,'' resident Gary Elliott said.

Former Mayors Frances Prince and Larry Horner also spoke in favor of the project.

``It's been a long time coming,'' said Horner, who remembered as a councilman in 1989 struggling to figure out what to do with the publicly owned 11 acres.

``We have the opportunity to display real vision,'' said Councilman Andy Fox, who made the motion to approve the plan. ``We have the opportunity to display some leadership and display some unity. I am talking about 5-0 unity.''

Councilman Dan Del Campo said many people have commented on the plan and he has not heard anything negative.

``The window is open for this,'' he said. ``We need unity because we don't want to create economic doubt.''

Parks relented and said she would support the motion although she still had reservations about the parking structure, movie theaters and the lack of a guarantee that the Discovery Center would be built.

The council also directed staff members to work with consultant Keyser Marsten to review financial aspects of the concept plan and directed the ad hoc committee to begin discussions on a development and disposition agreement with Caruso's company and the Discovery Center.

CAPTION(S):

photo, map

Photo: (color -- ran in Conejo and Simi edition only) A conceptual drawing shows how Discovery Park may look.

Map: Discovery Park