Special to The Press-Enterprise

This artist's rendition shows the Walgreens to be built in Lake Elsinore, just a few blocks from Diamond Stadium.

That is the plan Walgreens has for a drugstore to be built at Diamond Drive and Mission Trail -- just a few blocks from Diamond Stadium and on 1.3 acres now occupied by a shuttered hamburger stand.

Work could start later this year, with the store opening in mid-2011, McDowell said. The store is expected to add about 20 jobs and bring in $4 million in sales annually.

Walgreens and the city officials worked together to come up with what Lake Elsinore Senior Planner Matthew Harris called the "unique ballpark architecture."

The entrance to the 13,678-square-foot store will resemble the entrance to old-style stadiums. Exterior walls on the north, west and south sides will be covered with a brick veneer. Steel grilles, awnings and light fixtures will be added to further enhance the ballpark appearance.

On the roof, the Walgreens sign will be displayed on structures that resemble light standards.

In front of the store, a sports monument will be added for sports-related artwork.

The design generally was well-received by council members.

"Three out of four sides -- great," Councilman Thomas Buckley said. "Really nice draw from the stadium and a nice entrance to the Ballpark District."

But Buckley and Councilman Robert Magee said changes needed to be made to the large wall on the Mission Trail side. Suggestions ranged from a mural to additional architectural features. McDowell agreed to approach Walgreens about changes.

Mayor Pro Tem Amy Bhutta was concerned about whether the community can support another drugstore in the area.

The Walgreens would be the third drugstore within a half-mile on Mission Trail, with a Rite Aid on one side of Diamond and a CVS Pharmacy on the other. Managers at both stores declined to discuss the prospect of another drugstore in the area.

"Have you done any kind of market research to ensure that it doesn't have a negative impact?" Bhutta asked. "Is there room for another drugstore in this area?"

McDowell said Walgreens' research showed the volume of retail and prescription sales in the area could support another store, adding that Walgreens is very conservative in its expansion program.

"If it wasn't a good choice they wouldn't be there," McDowell said.