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A Bright Future for Mission Hills Center |
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10/01/2003 |
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Original Story in the Presidio Sentinel Vol.3, No. 10 in October 2003
Speculation, rumors, fears, myths and out right gossip has been flying around the sale and future of the Mission Hills Center located at the corner of Washington Street and Goldfinch Street. The extremes, both stated with absolute certainty by their proponents, have been that the land would be leveled and a "Darth Vader" building, ala Seventh and B Street downtown, would be built and that absolutely nothing would be done because the owner bought it as a tax write-off.
The editorial board of the Presidio Sentinel made the decision that it was time to go to the object of all of the talk and ask what was in the plans. Over a cup of coffee at Expresso Mio, Bob Lawrence, well known and respected San Diego developer, talked candidly about the property that he purchased "rather quickly".
It turns out that those who have been speculating about some "mystery" buyer having schemed and coveted the property over a long period of time were dead wrong, at least where Lawrence is concerned. He was looking for a property to replace one that he had sold and after returning from a tour of the west coast, learned of the availability of the Mission Hills Center and the need to move quickly...and he did. Neither as exciting nor cloak and dagger-ish as some speculated, but, then life doesnt usually work that way, does it?
"I live in Mission Hills," Lawrence said, "and I would drive by that property and just hurt at the sight of all of that deferred maintenance, the unsightly awning and the unused potential. I really feel that it can be the centerpiece of Mission Hills and I dont want to rush into anything."
The first step was to purchase the majority of the block. Rumor has it that Lawrence had purchased everything, however the truth is that the portions of the building which house The Huddle, Special Delivery, Mail Call Plus and the California Flourish complex are not in his plans. These properties apparently remain for sale, however.
Step two was to secure the services of an architect and that was accomplished after extensive interviews. The firm of MW Steele Group and architect Mark Steele has been retained to begin the conceptual process. Lawrence has been in contact with the Uptown Planners and that group has set up a committee to handle the project.
"I have no definite plans at the present time for the property," Lawrence stated, "but I would very much like the input of interested residents. This site is important to all of us." Lawrence gave some insight into his thinking when he related his time spent at the San Diego Historical Society and spoke with excitement about the architecture of the building during the 1940s. "There were some very interesting features" he said.
The Presidio Sentinel has agreed to assist in the organization of a community meeting to discuss the future plans for the Mission Hills Center. In the meantime, if you have comments, please mail them to: chuck@irish4usc.com or mail them to the Presidio Sentinel at 4019 Goldfinch Street #181, San Diego, CA 92103. |
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