Several vacant buildings on Mooney Boulevard in Visalia finally are getting new tenants, continuing a trend from last year and the year before.

Mike Olmos, Visalia assistant city manager, said the action reflects an improving local economy.

The rejuvenation started in late 2010 when Hobby Lobby opened in the Sequoia Mall in the former Mervyn's.

Then last year, Habit Hamburger occupied the former Mearle's College Drive-In, buffing up an old eyesore.

Down the street, Mainland Skate and Surf, a skateboard and apparel store, opened before Christmas in a renovated building that was a shuttered restaurant.

Now Dick's Sporting Goods is coming to a former grocery store, Foods Co, at Caldwell Avenue and Mooney. The store will open this year, according to the developer.

Across the street, Walmart will occupy the former Costco, vacant since 2007. The Walmart, Visalia's second, will have groceries and will open in spring or summer. Work is taking place inside now.

Also on Mooney, the Marinello School of Beauty will open in a former western wear store.

Meanwhile, an unnamed grocery has applied to occupy the former Copeland's Sports building, vacant for years. The proposal is making its way through the city approval process.

Although some businesses could have located on Mooney without special city action, in the latter two cases the city's recently amended zoning rules made it possible for them to locate on Mooney. Such uses were not previously permitted, said planning consultant Darlene Mata.

PERMITS: Another indication of an improving economy is the uptick in total building permit values in Visalia last year to $145.9 million, from $120 million a year earlier.

It's the first increase since numbers started cratering in 2007.

Last year's final numbers include the $20 million, 500,000-square-foot warehouse being built by VWR, a laboratory-supply company.

But housing starts remain depressed at 269 single-family home permits last year. In 2005, the number was 1,450.

UC EXTENSION: Jim Sullins, county director of the University of California Cooperative Extension in Tulare County, is suddenly wearing two hats. He is serving as county director in neighboring Kings County.

Sullins took on the extra duty because longtime Kings County cooperative extension director and 4-H youth adviser Peggy Gregory retired at the end of the year. She served 37 years, including 20 in Kings County.