by: Ruarri Serpa

Oceanside CA– The beginning-of-the-end in the saga of the Mission Cove Affordable Housing project was marked at a groundbreaking ceremony in the lot on Mission Ave this morning. Over 100 people, mostly city staff and developers, attended to recognize those who helped see the project through.
“It’s the end of the dusty pile of dirt that I’ve been driving by for decades,” said Sue Reynolds, President of Community HousingWorks.
Her group partnered with National Community Renaissance, the primary developer, to provide 138 apartments for seniors at the center. In the plan is another 150 apartments for families, veterans and young adults; a family resource center will be named after the late Kay Parker, who headed the Housing Commission; and commercial space was integrated into the design to stimulate economic activity in the area.
The city first purchased the 14.7 acres on Mission Ave in 2006, and began holding public meetings in 2009 to develop the design for Mission Cove. The vision calls for a whole neighborhood to be constructed on the empty lot, to the tune of $82 million.
And while the bulk of the funds will be raised through private investment, city council members, who over the years have touted the importance of the project to Oceanside, have committed $17 million toward the project. Most of that money was provided by federal grants, though as OsideNews reported earlier, subsidies also came from fellow Osiders.
“This is one of the top projects for our city,” said Deputy Mayor Esther Sanchez.
“This is a first for Oceanside,” said Wanda Moore, of the Housing Commission. “It is 100-percent ADA,” said Moore, referring to the American’s With Disabilities Act, which lays out standards for accessible design.
Family members of Kay Parker also spoke at the event to acknowledge the woman who gave Mission Cove its name, and who got the project on its feet.
“She would actually be upset about having her name plastered on the wall,” said Steven Parker, Kay’s son. “But she was devoted to touching many lives.”
The project will be completed in four phases, which will begin with the infrastructure, and then add 90 multifamily units and the Kay Parker Family Resource Center. Phase three will include the 138 senior apartments. The final step is the completion of 60 additional multifamily units.

Ruarri Serpa is a freelance reporter from Oceanside, CA. You can contact him directly at RuarriS@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter: @Ruarris