The City of Visalia has confirmed that Carvana plans to build a major vehicle inspection and reconditioning facility in the Visalia Industrial Park, a project city officials say will bring thousands of square feet of new industrial space and hundreds of jobs to the local economy.
Project details and location
According to reporting by The Business Journal and local officials, the project will occupy approximately 100 acres on an undeveloped lot along Kelsey Street, east of the Amazon warehouse north of Riggin Avenue. The main building will cover roughly 172,000 square feet and the overall investment is expected to total about $42 million.
Employment and timeline
The city estimates the facility will generate about 700 jobs, largely in inspection, reconditioning and mechanic roles. Visalia Mayor Brett Taylor described the positions as career opportunities rather than minimum-wage work, saying they will include skilled mechanic jobs that offer higher pay and stability.
“We welcome folks who want to come in and do business in our city, and you know these are going to be really good jobs,” Visalia Mayor Brett Taylor told ABC 30. “These are going to be mechanic jobs. I mean, these are going to be folks that you know aren’t making minimum wage. These are going to be careers, so we’re excited for our community. We are excited for Carvana.”
City officials expect construction and build-out to take more than a year before the facility becomes operational.
- Use: vehicle inspection and reconditioning for resale
- Size: approximately 172,000 square feet under roof
- Site: roughly 100 acres at Kelsey Street in Visalia Industrial Park
- Investment: about $42 million
- Jobs: roughly 700 positions, focused on mechanic and reconditioning work
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Site acreage | 100 acres |
| Building size | 172,000 sq ft |
| Estimated investment | $42 million |
| Projected jobs | 700 |
| Estimated completion | More than one year |
What a Carvana center does
Inspection and reconditioning centers operated by Carvana are designed to accept used vehicles and prepare them for resale. Work typically includes mechanical inspection, repairs and detailing so cars meet the company’s resale standards. The new Visalia site is one of several fulfillment and reconditioning centers the company operates to support online vehicle sales and distribution.
Local context and potential impacts
The planned facility joins an expanding industrial footprint in the northern Visalia corridor, where large distribution and logistics operations have already located. The site’s proximity to an existing Amazon warehouse indicates the area is positioned for continued industrial development, which could affect traffic patterns, utility demand and local hiring.
For residents, the most immediate benefits are the number of new jobs and potential growth in the city’s tax base from a substantial private investment. For city planners and neighborhood stakeholders, considerations will include construction impacts, the need for infrastructure support and coordination on workforce training so local residents can access the new positions.
The city has not released a detailed timeline for permitting, construction milestones or a hiring schedule. Officials say they expect the build-out to extend beyond one year, and further details will likely emerge as Carvana and the city complete required approvals and construction planning.
As the project proceeds, Visalia residents and local workers will be watching for announcements on hiring events, contractor opportunities and any public meetings related to land use, traffic or environmental review.
