San Diego County CA— Circulate San Diego, the leading land use and transportation think tank in the region, is launching a new “Circulate Mobility Certification” for smart growth development proposals.
Smart growth projects that apply for the Mobility Certification will be reviewed by an independent team of volunteer land use and urban design experts. Projects are graded on an objective set of criteria including proximity to transit, accessibility for walking and bicycling, among other smart growth techniques. Certified projects can use the Circulate Mobility Certification seal, and receive testimony and support from Circulate San Diego staff.
The certification is a relaunch of Circulate’s former “MOVE Alliance” program, which awarded endorsements to development projects since 2012. The new “Circulate Mobility Certification” uses the more recognizable branding associated with Circulate San Diego (see the attached logo). More information about the program is available at Circulate San Diego’s website at http://circulatesd.org/certified.
The Circulate Mobility Certification program and its predecessor the MOVE Alliance have awarded certifications to several recent projects.

• Paseo Artist Village, a 45-65 affordable apartment community in Vista with artist and veteran preference by Community HousingWorks, earned the certification because of its proximity to the Sprinter and Vista Village. This month, the Vista City Council approved the Disposition and Development Agreement with the developer, who will be proceeding with entitlements. The architect is M.W Steele and the general contractor is Sun Country Builders (from Vista).

• Scripps Mesa Joint Occupancy Project, a 264 unit suburban infill development project in Scripps Mesa proposed by the Monarch Group, earned certification because it provides new and affordable housing options. The project, a joint development with San Diego Unified School District also received approval this month from the school district.

• The Costa Verde Center also recently received a certification for its plans to enhance the existing Regency Centers shopping center in the UTC area. The project will redevelop the property to become a more walkable, bikeable, transit-oriented development, in anticipation of the upcoming Mid-Coast Trolley station opening.

Colin Parent, Executive Director and General Counsel at Circulate San Diego said, “The new Circulate Mobility Certification is a unique way for independent experts to review and recommend smart growth development.”
“Community HousingWorks builds sustainable affordable housing communities across San Diego and the state,” said Mary Jane Jagodzinski, Vice President of Development for Community HousingWorks. “The Circulate Mobility Certification is an independent and respected certification that confirmed with the Vista City Council the high standard CHW will design and build, consistent with the City’s vision.”
“The Scripps Mesa Joint Occupancy Project exemplifies the type of project that the Circulate Mobility Certification supports,” said Sarah Kruer Jager, a partner at Monarch Group. “The project puts publicly owned land to good use with affordable and market-rate housing, as well as neighborhood-serving retail/commercial space.”

About the Circulate Mobility Certification

The Circulate Mobility Certification provides certification for transit-oriented, smart growth projects in the San Diego region. The Circulate Mobility Certification Committee members consist of local experts in smart growth planning and sustainable transit oriented development disciplines, including planners, developers, urban designers, and transportation engineers. By recognizing and supporting projects which meet the Circulate Mobility Certification criteria, we can help to create complete communities, one project at a time. For more information, go to http://www.circulatesd.org/certified.

About Circulate San Diego

Circulate San Diego is a regional non-profit organization dedicated to advancing mobility and making the region a better place to move, work, learn, and play. Our work focuses on creating great mobility choices, more walkable and bikeable neighborhoods, and land uses that promote sustainable growth. For more information, go to www.circulatesd.org.