SAN DIEGO — With vacant storefronts in deteriorating condition, neighbors in University City want to know why the Costa Verde Center has been left in such poor shape. CBS 8 is working for you to find out what may be in store for the 35-year-old San Diego strip mall.
“I see a dilapidated, dump, it’s the only way really to explain it, and it’s just an eyesore for this beautiful neighborhood,” said Susan Carlson, who lives nearby.
When CBS 8 talked to neighbors in the area, many described the 14-acre site on Genessee Avenue across from the Westfield UTC mall as an eyesore.
“I miss all the amenities that used to be there. If you forgot the milk for your coffee, you could go to Bristol Farms, just walking distance,” said neighbor Randy Mabe.
Alexandria Real Estate bought the old strip mall for $125 million more than two years ago with plans to tear it all down and redevelop it.
“Retail plus some midrise office buildings that are going to be used for medical research, that’s what we’ve heard,” said neighbor Mike Hernacki.
CBS 8 reached out to Alexandria Real Estate but did not hear back by the time of this publication. According to their permit listed on the City of San Diego’s Development Services website, they have plans to revitalize the property with 400,000 square feet of bioscience labs and offices next to 178,000 square feet of retail space along with a 10-story, 200-room hotel.
“Everything’s been on delay and I have no idea what they’re going to do or when they’re going to do it,” said Mabe.
After digging, CBS 8 found that the company recently applied for an extension of time on their permit, which was about to run out. The City’s Development Services Department will decide whether to grant them a 3-year extension sometime after February 29, and if they do, the project can then move forward.
In the meantime, neighbors around here are anxious to see something happen.
“I hope they do turn it into some sort of hi-tech campus,” said Carlson. “I think considering the neighborhood and all the bioresearch and the hi-tech that’s in the neighborhood, it would fit in beautifully.”
CBS 8 reached out to the City of San Diego’s Development Services about the Costa Verde Revitalization Project, and they responded with the following information:
“The original Site Development Permit, Planned Development Permit, Neighborhood Development Permit, Vesting Tentative Parcel Map, Public Right-of-Way Vacation, and Easement Vacation expired on November 25, 2023.
An application for an Extension of Time Permit was filed on October 30, 2023 per SDMC 126.0111.
The Extension of Time will soon be reviewed by the University Community Planning Group for a recommendation, which is recommended, but not required, for the project to proceed.
The EOT is likely to be issued in March or April.”
At CBS 8, we are always Working for You and our community. This is a station promise that we will go the extra mile to solve a problem our audience can’t solve themselves. We want to hear your ideas on how we can cover and help our community. If you have a story idea, please email us at workingforyou@cbs8.com.
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