Gumaro Escarcega, MainStreet Oceanside CEO, welcomed everyone to the June Monthly Morning Meeting. The presentation from Frontwave Sports Arena will be rescheduled.
Escarcega announced that the applications for the Oceanside Independence Parade have been closed but anyone or group interested in participating or volunteering for the parade should contact MSO staff. The parade will be on Saturday, June 29, with former MSO CEO Rick Wright as Grand Marshal. The three Hometown Heroes to be honored will be announced soon.
The Downtown Oceanside Property and Business Improvement District (PBID) renewal is still in the petition phase and will be brought before the City Council on August 7. Downtown stakeholders who support the PBID and wish the clean and safe services to continue, or who have questions, should contact Escarcega as soon as possible.
Ernie Rivas, with JH Real Estate Partners, Inc., presented renderings of the redevelopment planned for their property at 401 Mission Avenue (Ocean Place and Regal Cinema). Rivas stated previous owners approached JH Real Estate Partners after several years of economic struggle. The new project will add commercial space, residential units, and parking to the downtown district.
The ground floor will have 20,000 square feet of commercial space split evenly between restaurant and retail. There will also be a 1,200-square-foot rooftop restaurant and bar. The project includes 332 residential units beginning on the third floor with 10% (or 34 units) dedicated as affordable (at 80% of the median income level in San Diego County). There will be one below-ground and two above-ground parking levels containing 595 spaces. Commercial parking will be separate from residential spaces.
Rivas said the project will bring unique architecture to downtown and “will not be just a square box.” The public outdoor plaza on Mission Avenue will be reinstated with the new project. Through question-and-answer interaction with the audience, it is unclear if or how much green space there will be.
Rivas was asked if the existing mosaic murals facing Seagaze Drive of the current structure would be saved. Rivas said he has talked with CJ DiMento, Oceanside Art Commission Director, about using the murals in the new structure or donating them to be displayed elsewhere, and they would do all that is possible to save the murals. He and DiMento have also discussed working with local art organizations and artists for the interior décor of the new complex.
Rivas will host a meeting at MSO on Wednesday, June 19 from 6-7 p.m. for businesses impacted by the project. [Note: there is no City Council meeting on June 19.] The new development project is expected to go before the City Council in August or September.
Audience members voiced concern over all the upcoming redevelopment projects planned for the downtown area and whether they would happen simultaneously. Rivas stated the Ocean Place project construction would likely occur at the same time as other projects but would be strategically planned to limit obstruction and noise. Escarcega added that MSO, Oceanside Chamber of Commerce, and the City are collaborating on a messaging campaign to support businesses impacted during the upcoming projects.
Penny Mayercheck said several other coastal cities are using a trolley system and she would like to see Oceanside implement a trolley system or a similar solution. Escarcega said community leaders are looking to improve connectivity between assets, landmarks, services, etc.
John Fili asked where the cars would go once the Coast Highway Improvement Project began. Escarcega said they would be routed to parallel streets, but the city is still working on details for the project. He will invite the project manager, Victor Velasco, to a future Monthly Morning Meeting.
Around the Room Announcements:
Steve Burrell [during introductions] said that AARP will present an Age-Friendly Community certificate to Oceanside City Council at Wednesday’s meeting.
Jane Marshall, President of Oceanside Coastal Neighborhood Association, said OCNA is planning a mayors’ candidate forum in September—more details to come later.
Brigid Parsons announced the Oceanside Art Walk will be this Friday, June 7, and will showcase over 60 artists. This is the 10th year for the Art Walk!
Linda Pina of Carla and Linda’s Local Tours said they now offer beer and wine tours. Beer tours include one meal and a snack, and wine tours visit four places and include three meals. Carla and Linda’s Local Tours was recently awarded “Industry Partner” by Visit Oceanside. Earlier this year Senator Catherine Blakespear honored the couple with the “Women Who Inspire – Business and Entrepreneurship” award.
Esmerelda Gonzales Jimenez, the aide to Councilmember Eric Joyce, shared a message from Councilmember Joyce. He is very excited to hear the final budget this week at the council meeting. Important changes to the budget include funding to hire a climate action plan manager, hire a homelessness manager, and create safer streets for pedestrians. Councilmember Joyce is asking for support to establish a civic arts plan in Oceanside.
AuShaunnalyn Simmons with Vista Community Clinic said VCC will host a downtown cleanup day in partnership with Handel’s Ice Cream on Saturday, June 22. Meet at the fountains in front of the library on Pier View Way. Seventy people participated in the last cleanup day and collected 200 pounds of trash.
Escarcega invited attendees interested in participating in one of MSO’s committees: Design, Promotion, Economic Development, and Organization. The committees are the driving force for MSO’s work to revitalize and strengthen the downtown district’s economy.
Through the Art that Excites program, MSO has partnered with the North County Transit District to install public art at the pedestrian tunnel at the transit center. An RFQ was just released to bring on an art coordinator to help develop the RFP for Artist(s) and the scope of work for that project. The current Art that Excites project at the Oceanside Transit Center recently completed the selection process, and Jonny Pucci was the winning muralist. Work on the project will begin in July.
Notes submitted by Bobbie Mills.
Coffee is provided by Pier View Coffee.
The MainStreet Morning Meeting is held on the first Tuesday of each month at 8:30 a.m.
We welcome all parties interested in the progress of Downtown Oceanside, including businesspeople, residents, and City staff.
This informative one-hour meeting is held in an informal discussion format. The general public is always welcome! Come meet your city officials, MainStreet Oceanside staff, and members and find out about upcoming events and changes to YOUR downtown and city.
The MainStreet Morning Meeting is held at the MainStreet Oceanside meeting room at 701 Mission Avenue. Call our office for more information or directions at (760) 754-4512.
