How will design of entertainment village impactcommunity?
ByJessica ZiskoStaff Writer
A new design for the proposed campus mixed-use complex wasunveiled at a community workshop last week, during which concernsabout parking and traffic congestion were also aired and addressed.
Concerns centered around the 300,000 square foot entertainmentvillage, which will reconstruct the area bordered by College Avenue,Montezuma Road, Campanile Drive and the Aztec Walkway. It willinclude retail stores, restaurants, a multi-plex movie theater andapartment units.
In order cut down on congestion, Fred Pierce, project manager forthe Campus Community Resource Committee, said an underground parkingstructure will be built.
The number of parking places is not yet determined, but Piercesaid there would definitely be more than 1,000 spaces. Parking willalso be validated to SDSU commuters for parking while they go toschool.
The village will also be adjacent to an underground trolleystation that will be completed in 2004.
"We're hoping by having everything in one place, we actually willbe taking cars off of the road," Pierce said.
Pierce said all land uses and densities would fall within anEnvironmental Impact Report that was completed a few years ago.
Robert Montana, member of CACC, raised concerns that the alleybehind KB Books would contribute to the traffic problem, especiallyif Student Health Services is relocated to that area.
"I just can't see a five story building with access only by analley," Montana said.
However, Pierce said the alley would only be accessible byemergency vehicles. Other commuters would be encouraged to park inthe underground parking lot and walk over the proposed pedestriancrossings.
The new design integrated portions of two previous designs andideas and suggestions taken from two other community meetings.
"Things are really beginning to form up," said Dave Merino,architect for Jerde Partnerships. "We have an idea of where theproject will go."
In the new design, Lindo Paseo will be sloped down 10 feet toprovide room for a meandering walkway above the street.
A 12-story, 380-room hotel is also in the works for theentertainment village. However, the final location of the hotel hasnot yet been determined. The design of the entertainment villagewould mirror the Spanish Mission architecture throughout SDSU, Merinosaid.
At the entrance to Campanile Drive, for example, two Spanishtowers would be constructed and row of Spanish-style arches will linethe street.
"We're not trying to create some big, flashy new center," Merinosaid. "We want it to be quiet, casual, yet elegant."
To complete the mixed-use project, Student Health Services andseveral fraternities will be relocated to other areas. Currently, thearea near KB Books and the Aztec Amusement Center is the new proposedSHS site. Many of the fraternities will be located near Hardy Avenueand 55th Street.
The project is expected to break ground in mid-2001 and becompleted by 2003.
In the past few years, the CCRC has made continuous presentationsto SDSU students, faculty, and staff to receive feedback about theproject. Suggestions from these presentations are analyzed andincorporated into the design, Pierce said.
From here, Pierce said the CCRC would begin talking to leasingagents and perspective tenants. The next community meeting will besometime in January.
Jerde Partnership is known for its designs of Horton Plazadowntown and the City Walk in Los Angeles.
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