After carefully vetting a number of qualified applicants, Jerry Navarra, chairman of Jerome’s Furniture, chose Lankford & Associates, Portman Holdings and Phelps Development — together forming a new entity dubbed LPP — to be the master developer for a nearly three million-square-foot renovation in San Diego’s Upper East Village. The grand vision involves turning three blocks of a bleak warehouse district into a pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use space with new residences, shops, hotels, office buildings and a four-acre open space park. One of the primary design concepts for the renovation is an Innovation, Design, Education and Arts (IDEA) zone — an artistic vision championed by developers David Malmuth and Pete Garcia that will encompass the area between Market Street and City College and 11th Avenue and the I-5 freeway. The duo focused on creative concepts for the space, including an artists’ alley, East Village Green Park, a pedestrian-oriented stretch of live-work housing units and retail shops, an “education overlay” zone, and an urban alley featuring stone paving, sidewalk cafes, retail shops and market canopies. “We think that would be a great use of that space there,” said David Hazan, president of the East Village Association who serves with Navarra on the association’s board. “We know that it’s going to take a while. Unfortunately, it’s not going to happen tomorrow, but we’re very excited, and we think it’ll be a great partnership.” Other parties involved in the extensive redevelopment project include architect Frank Wolden, principal at Carrier Johnson + Culture; Stacey Pennington, principal of SLP Urban Planning; and Sherm Harmer, president of Urban Housing Partners. Navarra, who owns and leases out properties across five blocks between F Street and Broadway, has been working on plans to redevelop the area for the past several years. Harmer, who is advising the Navarra family on development options, said much of the planning, permitting and reports have been completed over the past three years, so when there is a recovery in the real estate market and financing is available, the team will be able to jump right into construction. He also emphasized that, aside from the open space park, the team will not seek any public redevelopment funds for the estimated $1 billion project. “Downtown has eight neighborhoods, and each has its own feel and unique brand,” he said. “What we’re trying to do is create a neighborhood that is energetic and offers a mixed-use area where people can live, shop, play and learn without the use of a car.” He added the project could ultimately generate 10,000 jobs and $1.8 billion in new construction. “Rarely in the history of San Diego has one family had the opportunity to make such a momentous impact on the future of the city,” he said. “This is the first step in realizing the incredible potential of the Upper East Village.” No plans for the project have been finalized and there is no set date to begin construction.
