WAL-MART PART OF RETAIL CENTERS PLAN RETAIL CENTERS IN STORE; TWO HUGE DEVELOPMENTS PROPOSED FOR EAST SIDE CENTERS PLANNED FOR LANCASTER, PALMDALE.

Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer

PALMDALE - A Los Angeles developer is proposing to build massive retail centers in Lancaster and Palmdale, with at least one of the two developments housing a new Wal-Mart store.

Rothbart Development Corp., developer of the Palmdale Promenade shopping center, is planning to establish the shopping centers on the Antelope Valley's east side. The Palmdale project is planned for Avenue S and 47th Street East and the Lancaster project is planned for Avenue J and 20th Street East.

Palmdale officials said plans for the local project include a Wal-Mart store. Lancaster officials refused to say what would anchor their center, saying it is policy not to discuss deals until they are finalized.

Rothbart has a history of developing retail centers anchored by Wal-Mart stores. Its Palmdale Promenade and a center in Simi Valley both have Wal-Mart stores.

Calls to Stan Rothbart and to Wal-Mart's real estate department were not returned Tuesday.

Rothbart is looking to develop 368,947 square feet of retail space on 33 acres at Avenue S and 47th Street East. In environmental paperwork filed with the city, the company does not name any proposed tenant, but states the major company would occupy 152,660 square feet and would have the ability to add an additional 92,078 feet.

That tenant would be a 24-hour operation and would include a light auto repair shop and a garden department, plans state.

Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford said Wal-Mart is looking at the Avenue S location. The proposed development would be a significant investment in the city's east side, where residents say they have been overlooked in terms of economic development.

``This recognizes the Avenue S corridor as the most viable on the east side,'' Ledford said. ``If it comes it will be a major development.''

The proposed Palmdale development would also include two fast-food restaurants and a gas station.

The Lancaster development would comprise 335,000-plus square feet and would include a major anchor store initially occupying 140,750 square feet. The major tenant would have the ability to expand by an additional 92,050 square feet.

``The commercial center would be the largest on the city's east side, and would establish the intersection of 20th Street East and Avenue J as the primary commercial node for the east side, which has been a long-term goal since the city's initial general plan was adopted in 1980,'' wrote Brian Ludicke, assistant director of the city's community development department.

Lancaster's planning commission was to vote on a conditional-use permit for the project Tuesday night. The application was filed under the name Wood Lancaster No. 3, L.P., but officials said that partnership includes Stan Rothbart.

The Lancaster project would also include a second large store, covering 57,100 square feet. Plans also call for a gas station and fast-food restaurants.