For sale signs are up on six city owned parking lots behind Third Avenue.
As part of California’s elimination of redevelopment agencies, the city of Chula Vista is mandated by the state to sell the six small lots, said Craig Ruiz, principal economic development specialist for the city of Chula Vista.
The six properties are located at: 201 Third Ave.; 281 Church Ave., 287 Church Ave; 281-287 Landis Ave; 288 Center St. and 336,338, 342 Church Ave. and range between 9,000 and 25,000 square feet.
Each lot was owned by a former redevelopment agency before the city took ownership of them, Ruiz said.
To help promote the sale city officials and staff members on June 17 held a walking tour for potential developers and investors who may be interested in purchasing the parcels.
Ruiz said the parking lots must be sold by next July, if not, an oversight board will take ownership of them and be responsible for their sale. Every city that had a redevelopment agency has an oversight board made up of city representatives, county officials and a member of the public. These oversight boards will merge into one next year, and will sell these properties if the city fails to sell them.
Ruiz said potential buyers must fit a certain criteria that includes a developer with experience in developing infill residential properties.
Another criteria, Ruiz said, is that the bid price for a lot has to at least equal its appraised value and that a development must be consistent with the city’s Urban Core Specific Plan, which was adopted in 2011.
“Bidders must have demonstrated experience developing small residential,” Ruiz said.
The city is working with South Coast Commercial Brokerage and Property Management to help sell the lots. The lots were placed on the market on May 26 with developers and investors having to submit their bids by July 10.
Once sold, a parking lot cannot remain as is, Ruiz said there must be development on the lot.
Property owner Jorge Valerdi said he paid a one-time $27,000 fee in the 1980’s for the city to provide in-lieu parking for neighboring businesses on Landis Avenue. His property at 311 F St. is adjacent to the Landis Avenue parking lots that are for sale.
Under the agreement, the city had agreed to build a garbage enclosure and pedestrian access to adjacent buildings.
He said he and other property owners paid the city for the lot so he expects the city to keep the parking lot as is instead of seeing a development on the lot.
“That was the original intent and that was the agreement we had with the city,” he said.
Valerdi is also concerned that if the parking lots are sold and turned into a development it would eliminate parking for the disabled.
“The concern here is because of all the clients and people who come to our buildings that are handicap or have disabilities, they will lose this ability (to park) if they sell this parking lot,” he said.
“We are giving consideration to the persons with disabilities and now we’re taking that away, which is not right.”
Valerdi said he’s been in contact with Third Avenue Village Association about his concerns. He also emailed City Attorney Glen Googins expressing his position.
Ruiz said under the Urban Core Specific Plan the lots are designated for a mixed-use development.
Ruiz said he’s heard concerns from business owners regarding the fact that they may lose parking spaces for their employees and customers.
“We are not selling these by choice,” Ruiz said.
Janet Goff, owner of My Cup of Tea at 242 Third Ave. is concerned that the sale of the lots will affect her business.
“Many of my customers park in these lots,” she said.
Ruiz said the city currently has 1,200 parking spaces in the parking district and with the sale of these lots; there will still be more than 1,000 spots available.
Luanne Hulsizer, executive director with the Third Avenue Village Association, said the parking structure on F Street is available for anyone looking for parking.
“TAVA continues to promote the city’s underutilized free parking garage behind Fuddruckers and Marie Callender’s that is available for public use,” she said.
Ruiz said the city of Chula Vista will not be making money off of the sale of the parking lots.
“The money goes to the state,” he said. “We don’t get a penny.”
