San Diego CA— The nonprofit think tank Circulate San Diego awarded its Mobility Certification to SDSU Mission Valley, a transit-oriented and sustainable plan proposed for Mission Valley. The Mobility Certification is a program to recognize and support transit-oriented, smart growth proposals in the San Diego region.
The entire SDSU Mission Valley site is located within a half mile of the Green Line Stadium Station, which connects to the existing San Diego State University campus in 8 minutes. SDSU Mission Valley will include 4,600 homes and incorporate significant walking and bicycling infrastructure. The plans include a 1.9 mile hike and bike loop that circles the campus, 1.5 miles of dedicated bike lanes, and a new trolley plaza. Strong transportation demand management strategies are incorporated into the plan, including unbundled parking for all residences, a transit pass program for employees working on site, and showers and lockers in employment areas.
The campus plan includes a mix of residential, 95,000 square feet of community serving retail including a 12,000 square foot space suitable for a grocery store, and 1.6 million square feet of research/innovation space. SDSU Mission Valley will provide over 80 acres of parks, open space, plazas, and playgrounds. This open space includes tot lots, playing fields, hard surface recreation (basketball courts, etc.), natural areas with native plants that provide habitat, trails, malls, and plazas for community events such as fairs and farmer’s markets.
The Circulate Mobility Certification recognizes smart growth proposals in the region. Prior awards of the Mobility Certification program were for individual development projects. In 2018, Circulate created a new version of the Mobility Certification to recognize planning proposals. SDSU Mission Valley is the first “Plan” to receive the Mobility Certification. The Mobility Certification considers the land use and transportation elements of a proposed plan, not other elements, like how much SDSU is proposing to pay for the subject land. SDSU Mission Valley clearly demonstrates both a long-term vision for the institution and a high standard for sustainable transportation.
Applications for the Mobility Certification are reviewed by a volunteer panel of land use and urban design experts. Plans are graded on an objective set of criteria including proximity to transit, accessibility for walking and bicycling, and other smart growth techniques. Certified plans can use the Circulate Mobility Certification seal, and receive testimony and support from Circulate San Diego staff.
Maya Rosas, Director of Policy at Circulate San Diego said “The SDSU Mission Valley plan provides much-needed housing in close proximity to transit, jobs, and educational opportunities. This is the kind of development San Diego needs.”
“This certification is meaningful to our team because it acknowledges that SDSU Mission Valley will provide transportation choices that lead to a more sustainable San Diego while creating a sense of place in a community that has long desired a new identity” said Laura Shinn, Director of Planning for SDSU.
About the Circulate Mobility Certification
The Circulate Mobility Certification provides certification for transit-oriented, smart growth projects and plans 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.