‘Agua Hedionda 85/15 plan’ offers open space, retail
After three years of holding community meetings and busing Carlsbad residents to its shopping meccas in Los Angeles, Caruso Affiliated has announced its plans for the more than 200 acres of land near the intersection of Interstate Highway 5 and Cannon Road.
The plans will not only give Carlsbad an open-space shopping destination, but also access to more than 176 acres of open space near the south shore of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon. It would also expand farming in the area, which includes the Carlsbad Strawberry Company. Caruso Affiliated will move the plan forward through a ballot initiative.
Caruso's plan has been named the 'Agua Hedionda 85/15 plan' because it would create nearly 176 acres of open space (or nearly 85 percent of the total land) along with the 26 acres (15 percent) on which its retail center would be built. Caruso Affiliated has a contract with San Diego Gas & Electric to purchase the acreage.
Rick Caruso, CEO and Founder of the Los Angeles-based company, introduced the plan during a press conference held at the picturesque promontory, with the lagoon in the background and farming all around.
"After three years of conversations with Carlsbad residents, we saw an opportunity to do something very special and very unique," Caruso said. "We saw the opportunity to combine the best of Carlsbad. Their love of open space and being outdoors, and a desire for a unique and best in house retail and dining experience."
Caruso has not yet revealed plans on what the commercial development might look like or which stores would be featured, but said a look at The Grove in Los Angeles and other Caruso Affiliated properties could give a clue to the types of stores the center would bring to the City of Carlsbad.
The open-air, pedestrian-friendly project would include shopping, dining and entertainment options in a setting that "enhances the traditional village identity and the beach character community of this town," Caruso said.
The open space area would include miles of trails; picnic areas and park benches with panoramic views of the lagoon, an outdoor classroom area and an educational resource area. It would be paid for through the revenue created by the commercial development, which means it would not be developed at a cost to taxpayers. The ballot measure would require the open space portion of the project to be built and delivered to the public before the commercial aspect can open.
"This is open space done the right way," Caruso said.
At it's meeting on May 20, the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted to support the initiative.
"The Board feels the initiative is the first step in a project that will improve the quality of life in Carlsbad, will create new jobs in the region, and provide residents with additional shopping and dining choices," said Board Chairman John Osborne. "Caruso has a history of doing projects the right way. When completed, the project and its surrounding open space will be a glistening jewel for Carlsbad, adding many amenities that our city lacks today."
Acting as a Carlsbad resident, Carlton Lund, former chairman of the Chamber's board, signed the notice of intent to circulate the petition, which was turned in to the City of Carlsbad on May 12. Lund also participated in the press conference held to kick off the signature drive, along with Maureen Simons, chairwoman of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation and Jimmy Ukegawa, president of the Carlsbad Strawberry Company.
"My number one priority is protecting and strengthening the lagoon, our environment and opening up even more open space in Carlsbad for all families to enjoy," said Simons. "So, today, I am pleased and deeply gratified that Caruso Affiliated has listened to our concerns, and accordingly, the foundation is pleased to announce its support for this plan."
Caruso said the signatures will be delivered to the Carlsbad City Council in September, at which time city officials can approve the project or place it on the ballot. The City Council has asked for a comprehensive report to analyze the citizen-led initiative.
Caruso says construction would take 18 months and could be open in 2018.
After three years of holding community meetings and busing Carlsbad residents to its shopping meccas in Los Angeles, Caruso Affiliated has announced its plans for the more than 200 acres of land near the intersection of Interstate Highway 5 and Cannon Road.
The plans will not only give Carlsbad an open-space shopping destination, but also access to more than 176 acres of open space near the south shore of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon. It would also expand farming in the area, which includes the Carlsbad Strawberry Company. Caruso Affiliated will move the plan forward through a ballot initiative.
Caruso's plan has been named the 'Agua Hedionda 85/15 plan' because it would create nearly 176 acres of open space (or nearly 85 percent of the total land) along with the 26 acres (15 percent) on which its retail center would be built. Caruso Affiliated has a contract with San Diego Gas & Electric to purchase the acreage.
Rick Caruso, CEO and Founder of the Los Angeles-based company, introduced the plan during a press conference held at the picturesque promontory, with the lagoon in the background and farming all around.
"After three years of conversations with Carlsbad residents, we saw an opportunity to do something very special and very unique," Caruso said. "We saw the opportunity to combine the best of Carlsbad. Their love of open space and being outdoors, and a desire for a unique and best in house retail and dining experience."
Caruso has not yet revealed plans on what the commercial development might look like or which stores would be featured, but said a look at The Grove in Los Angeles and other Caruso Affiliated properties could give a clue to the types of stores the center would bring to the City of Carlsbad.
The open-air, pedestrian-friendly project would include shopping, dining and entertainment options in a setting that "enhances the traditional village identity and the beach character community of this town," Caruso said.
The open space area would include miles of trails; picnic areas and park benches with panoramic views of the lagoon, an outdoor classroom area and an educational resource area. It would be paid for through the revenue created by the commercial development, which means it would not be developed at a cost to taxpayers. The ballot measure would require the open space portion of the project to be built and delivered to the public before the commercial aspect can open.
"This is open space done the right way," Caruso said.
At it's meeting on May 20, the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted to support the initiative.
"The Board feels the initiative is the first step in a project that will improve the quality of life in Carlsbad, will create new jobs in the region, and provide residents with additional shopping and dining choices," said Board Chairman John Osborne. "Caruso has a history of doing projects the right way. When completed, the project and its surrounding open space will be a glistening jewel for Carlsbad, adding many amenities that our city lacks today."
Acting as a Carlsbad resident, Carlton Lund, former chairman of the Chamber's board, signed the notice of intent to circulate the petition, which was turned in to the City of Carlsbad on May 12. Lund also participated in the press conference held to kick off the signature drive, along with Maureen Simons, chairwoman of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation and Jimmy Ukegawa, president of the Carlsbad Strawberry Company.
"My number one priority is protecting and strengthening the lagoon, our environment and opening up even more open space in Carlsbad for all families to enjoy," said Simons. "So, today, I am pleased and deeply gratified that Caruso Affiliated has listened to our concerns, and accordingly, the foundation is pleased to announce its support for this plan."
Caruso said the signatures will be delivered to the Carlsbad City Council in September, at which time city officials can approve the project or place it on the ballot. The City Council has asked for a comprehensive report to analyze the citizen-led initiative.
Caruso says construction would take 18 months and could be open in 2018.