SAN DIEGO — A demolition crew tore down six vacant homes Monday in North Park in preparation for the sale of the property to a developer.
The residential plot of land on Bancroft Street and North Park Way is owned by the Makers Church across the street. They’re selling the 35,000-square-foot property to help fund major renovations to their 100-year-old church campus.
“I was out here walking the dog this morning, these homes were still up. I went to get a haircut, came back and now they’re down,” said Dylan Keizur, a four-year resident in the area. “That’s some quick work right there.”
Neighbors voiced concerns to CBS 8 about any impacts to parking a new housing development would bring.
“Parking is already slim around here and then they make these new houses and they don’t have enough parking for people in the units, so now there’s just even more parking spots being taken up,” said Keizur.
The Makers Church told CBS 8 that “even though the City of San Diego does not mandate parking requirements, as part of the sale agreement, Church leadership has required that the future project incorporates a significant amount of onsite parking.”
“I don’t mind the development, if there’s parking there, that’s fine, I embrace the new stuff,” said Keizur.
As far as what’s planned for the church campus, they want to serve the entire North Park community with amenities that include:
Childcare Facility: Revamping the existing Kids & Family Center into a 10,000 SF childcare facility, catering to the needs of families within the North Park community during weekdays.
On-Site Café: A 1,000 SF open-to-the-public on-site café, will operate daily with a complete coffee program, refreshments, and light bites.
Flexible Remote Workspaces: co-working and private offices.
Event Venue: The redevelopment and beautification of the property will help to leverage its untapped potential and add value to the neighborhood. In addition to hosting church services, music acts and performances, the property will function as a private 15,000 SF event venue available for rent.
“If they can make the money, raise the money up to help out kids and the families around here, so if people can come over here and use their services, then yeah, it’s a good thing,” said neighbor Andrew Jones.
The Makers Church says they’re currently in escrow with an undisclosed buyer for the residential land, and they expect the sale to go through by the end of the year.
Church leadership says they found a buyer who wants to offer a mix of affordable housing options in the future development being planned.
WATCH RELATED: San Diego City Council to vote on Housing Action Package 2.0