Westrust, which acquires, develops, leases and manages retailcenters, previously developed Nut Tree Village, a 30-acre340,000-square-foot mixed-use center within the overalldevelopment, the retail portion of which is currently 90% leased.The development also includes 38,000-square-feet of second-flooroffice space that has been more difficult to lease up.

Westrust co-managing partner Ricardo Capretta declined to revealthe cost to acquire the assets from Nut Tree Associates but didtell GlobeSt.com that negotiations are underway to flip 25 of the36 acres for "a lodging use." Another 100,000-square-feet of retailis planned for the remaining 11 acres.

As for the amusement center, some of its key elements--the NutTree Train, Carousel and Historic Ice Cream Pavilion structure –arebeing relocated from behind the retail center to the two-acre parkat the front of the center. The 3.5-acres being freed up willeventually be redeveloped with a museum and events center that willcomplement not only the Nut Tree Village but also a conventioncenter that is being planned across the street by the City ofVacaville.