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A number of questions have been raised by the community since the Park Station plan was submitted to the City. As part of the Park Station team's commitment to working with the community, the FAQs have been updated to reflect the interests of residents. The questions have been grouped by areas of interest.
- What is Park Station?
Park Station is a proposed smart growth community in the center of downtown La Mesa within a five minute walk of the La Mesa Village. As proposed, the project would offer La Mesans a gateway to the city filled with shopping and dining experiences, places to live, a community park and the opportunity for an upscale hotel capable of hosting large events and community celebrations.
- Where would Park Station be located?
The proposed location for Park Station is between Baltimore Drive and Spring Street. The community would be an approximate five minute walk to the La Mesa Boulevard Trolley Station and a less than 10 minute walk to the La Mesa village.
- What new shops and restaurants are being considered?
Specific stores have not been determined, but plans do include space for a mix of exciting cafes, shops and restaurants.
- How will the Park Station community complement the community character of La Mesa?
Park Station would be the next step in the revitalization that is enhancing downtown La Mesa and our La Mesa Village. The community would complement the City's existing efforts to revitalize the area with a new fire station, police station, library and post office. Every effort would be made to ensure Park Station looks and feels like the surrounding community.
- Is the American Legion building a part of plans for Park Station?
The Legion is a co-applicant on the Park Station project application, which means they are joining the Kitzman family in requesting an amendment to the zoning on their property. If the city approves the project proposal, this arrangement provides the Legion with the flexibility to incorporate their Post into the Park Station project, potentially relocate or stay exactly where they are.
- How will Park Station impact local merchants?
One of the goals of Park Station is to help revitalize downtown La Mesa. Park Station would be designed to connect to downtown La Mesa through sidewalks and paths in an effort to encourage walkability throughout the area. Activating the streetscape and encouraging pedestrian traffic in the neighborhood would benefit all businesses in downtown La Mesa by potentially bringing hundreds of new visitors and residents to local businesses.
- Would Park Station be accessible to emergency vehicles and equipment?
Yes. The site would be accessible by police, paramedic and fire vehicles. Park Station's buildings would also be accessible with an aerial ladder truck.
- What type of onsite security is being proposed at Park Station?
Plans for onsite security have not been finalized; however, some security features will include a fence between the site and the trolley tracks and lighting in all parking and common areas. The Park Station team is also considering using cameras and onsite security personnel to monitor and patrol the premises.
- What economic benefits would the City recognize from Park Station?
Park Station would provide the local economy with a boost by creating up to 450 permanent new jobs and hundreds of construction jobs and generating up to an estimated $1.6 million annually in new revenues for the City. Additionally, the plan includes a 50,000-square foot park, new ground floor shops and restaurants and an assortment of housing opportunities located within walking distance of the La Mesa Boulevard Trolley Station.
- How accessible is the closest trolley station?
Park Station would be an approximate five minute walk to the La Mesa Boulevard Trolley Station.
- What green building features are included at Park Station?
Plans for Park Station would integrate environmentally friendly materials and designs to minimize water and energy consumption, reduce consumer waste and promote a healthy lifestyle.
Local materials will be used to support the economy while reducing the carbon footprint of extensive hauling routes. In addition, rapidly renewable materials and salvaged materials will minimize the need for natural resource consumption and decrease demolition waste.
Park Station will also increase the amount of landscaped areas by decreasing the building footprints. The plan calls for vertically designed buildings, with commercial and residential units in a multi-level development. This layout will promote stormwater treatment, recharge the underground aquifers and provide natural landscape regions for the community's benefit.
Water conservation measures will be implemented inside and out. Low flow faucets and water conservation appliances will help achieve a 20-30 percent water use reduction within the residential and commercial building space. Captured stormwater, native vegetation, and drought resistance landscaping will decrease the amount of potable water required for irrigation onsite and throughout the park space.
- Is the proposed amount of parking for Park Station consistent with City regulations?
Yes. Parking for Park Station will be provided on-site either within a subterranean garage or in convenient at-grade parking lots.
- What traffic improvements are proposed for the Park Station community?
Park Station is being designed to avoid traffic impacts through the use of traffic limits. The plans also include median landscape improvements and a new four-way traffic signal at the community's main entrance. Additionally, new bicycle lanes on Baltimore Drive would encourage alternative forms of transportation and help ease automobile traffic in the area.
- What pedestrian improvements are planned for Park Station?
Park Station is being designed as a walkable community with open courtyards, landscaped paths, wide sidewalks, and large buffers between pedestrians and vehicles.
- Would Park Station include any open space?
Yes. Park Station will feature a new 50,000-square foot, tree-lined community park with children's playground facilities on the northern portion of the site. Meandering pedestrian paths and sidewalks would allow room for walking, jogging and bicycling. Park Station would also include open courtyards and gathering places throughout the community for residents to meet and socialize.
- Has the Park Station team considered accessibility to water?
The water for Park Station would be supplied by Helix Water District, which currently provides water service for the proposed site. In addition, Park Station would extensively use recycled water for irrigation and install water conserving appliances in all buildings.
- How will views in and around La Mesa be affected by Park Station?
At the ground level of Baltimore Avenue and University Avenue, the Park Station team proposes to develop a project consistent with the Downtown Specific Plan's height limit of 46 feet. Some views may be slightly affected by the tallest height zone planned for Park Station, which comprises only 20 percent of the north east corner of the site.
- Is the proposed site of the park a safe location, given its proximity to the trolley tracks?
The new park planned for Park Station would replace Nebo Drive, which borders the trolley tracks. However, security fencing, surrounded by shrubbery, would be installed in order to deter any pedestrian traffic near the trolley tracks. This location provides an important connection between La Mesa Village, Park Station and the trolley through landscaped pedestrian paths.
- Who actually owns Nebo Drive?
The City of La Mesa does own Nebo Drive and the Downtown Specific Plan calls for Nebo Drive to be ultimately vacated. We believe this is an ideal site for a community park which would be managed and maintained by Park Station at not cost to taxpayers.
- Are plans for Park Station final?
The Land Plan for the Park Station site has been submitted to the City of La Mesa. However, specific architectural design elements of future buildings have not yet been developed. Currently, the City is reviewing the application and technical studies and a formal decision on Park Station is at least six months away.
- Will the community have any involvement in plans for Park Station?
Yes. The Park Station team is committed to working with and listening to the community throughout the entire City review process. Additionally, the design of the park would be determined through a community-based effort which would involve stakeholders from throughout La Mesa.
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