As part of a proposal expected to bring retail and residential uses, as well as a “theater component” and more parking to downtown Newhall, Santa Clarita officials are looking to clear some space on Lyons Avenue.

The agenda item for Tuesday’s meeting calls on City Council to OK $66,000 from a housing fund to pay for a demolition project on 22520 Lyons Ave.

The roughly 2-acre site covers about one full city block, according to city officials.

A staff report notes city officials are evaluating plans from developers to create a mixed use project on the site.

A portion of this property is currently being used to provide public parking for the Old Town Newhall area.

According to city officials:

“At the time the property was purchased, there were four structures on the property: three buildings leased to private automotive uses and a building previously occupied by the City for the former Newhall Community Center, which was also utilized as the construction office for the duration of the construction of the Old Town Newhall Library.  Two of the three automotive uses vacated the property in 2011.

In 2012, those two former automotive buildings, as well as the former Newhall Community Center/construction office, were demolished.

The last remaining automotive use tenant located on this property vacated in December 2014.

Staff is proposing to utilize rental income received from the former tenant to complete the demolition of this building in preparation for the future development of the site and to ensure the health and safety of the surrounding areas.”

It is estimated that the demolition, including the environmental remediation, will take one week to complete.