San Marcos closer to creating Gaslamp North
Guidelines are being written for new district
By Angela Lau, UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
San Marcos University district
Where: On both sides of Twin Oaks Valley Road between state Route 78 and Barham Drive, and roughly from Industrial Street on the east to the proposed Discovery Street extension to Craven Road/Bent Avenue on the west, occupying 200 acres.
Purpose: To take advantage of its proximity to Cal State San Marcos and to complement the adjacent 214-acre downtown Creek District along San Marcos Creek to create a cohesive downtown.
Developments permitted in the University District: 2,600 mixed-use residential units; 800 student housing units; 450 hotel rooms; roughly 2 million square feet of retail, commercial, general and medical office space; 30,000 square feet of community and civic buildings; and 40 acres of open space and parks.
Potential developers: Mike McDonald, who has built office and industrial buildings and a retail center in San Marcos, owns 68 acres with a partner. He envisions an urban village that has the feel of Little Italy or Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego and plans to build residential units on top of shops, a public plaza with restaurants and a theater, and student housing.
Timetable: Student housing is expected to be built first, breaking ground for the first phase in 2011.
SAN MARCOS — City leaders and a developer want San Marcos residents to imagine a Gaslamp Quarter of North County emerging from the heart of their city — daytime strolling, happening night life, a destination hangout.
A decade ago, that was a dream for some. This month, the City Council moved the dream closer to reality by introducing into law a set of guidelines for the development of 200 acres near California State University San Marcos, designating the area as the University District. The city would allow mixed-use, office and hotel development there. The district would complement an adjacent, equally ambitious planned area — the 214-acre Creek District along San Marcos Creek — to create the downtown that San Marcos never had. The Creek District would be primarily designated mixed-use development and open space because of the presence of the creek. READ MORE AND SEE MAPS via UT San Marcos closer to creating Gaslamp North – Business – SignOnSanDiego.com.
I would rather this area of San Marcos be more like Little Italy than the Gaslamp. I avoid the Gaslamp like the plague. Please, let’s retain some of the character of north county SD.
I agree with NicMcc. Creekside needs to retain the character of North County SD. Really looking forward to having more walkable districts in San Marcos. I love that Marketwalk is finally open & enjoy patronizing the new establishments. Dexter’s is price competitive & the staff are informative. French’s nails are always pleasant & the service is stellar. I’m sure The Local will live up to the same standards-craft beers are a must!
Anyone know the estimated time frame of the grand opening? I heard it will take at least 6 months.