 In 1954, plans were announced for the new 36-acre, 50-store West Covina Center at the eastern end of what is now the Plaza space anchored by a 50,000 square-foot J. C. Penney, with parking for over 2,000 cars.It was to cost $5 million, financed and built by Los Angeles financier Sylvan S. Shulman and associates.It was stated at the time that the Penney's would be "West Covina's metropolitan-type store".