A downtown project to redevelop a vacant department store, formerly the home of Mervyn's and Fallas in Santa Maria's Town Center West, will hold a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday.

The Vernon Group and the City will host the ceremony to begin the construction of the Heritage Walk Lofts — 104 loft-style apartments near the corner of Main and Broadway.

The Heritage Walk Lofts are part of a partnership between the City and the private sector to revitalize downtown.

According to the City, the redevelopment of the 85,900-square-foot building marks the first in a series of several developments by The Vernon Group in Santa Maria’s downtown core.

Business

Empty department store to become 104 apartments in downtown Santa Maria shopping center

Mike Hodgson mhodgson@santamariatimes.com

The Ver

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