August 15, 1997
Contact: Frank Wein,
(818) 677-2561
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in the Grand Salon of the University Student Union on the east side of the campus at 18111 Nordhoff St. in Northridge.
The new plans for the University MarketCenter, a proposed retail development on Devonshire Street between Zelzah and Lindley avenues, incorporate suggestions and comments from area residents, Los Angeles City Councilman Hal Bernson's Citizens Advisory Committee and the university's own North Campus Task Force, as well as suggestions from community business leaders.
Among the changes is a reduction of more than 70,000 square feet of retail space, bringing the size of the proposed development to approximately 150,000 square feet of retail space. The MarketCenter proposal still includes extensive landscaping and architectural treatments.
The revised plans will be presented to the California State University Board of Trustees at its regular meeting in Long Beach on Sept. 16 and 17. The board will also receive the final Environmental Impact Report on the project.
The university has also recently received a concept plan for future development on the balance of the north campus area. The plan, the result of several meetings of a university-appointed task force, gives a general direction for the university to consider for the development of other uses on the north campus in future years.
CSUN has sought input for more than two years from the public regarding the potential development of the university's north campus. President Blenda J. Wilson appointed a 28-member committee to prepare a concept plan for the university's 65-acre north campus area. The North Campus Task Force include representatives of local homeowner associations, CSUN staff, faculty and students, and representatives of several San Fernando Valley civic organizations such as the United Chambers of Commerce, the Valley Industry and Commerce Association and the Valley Economic Development Council.
The proposed University MarketCenter was scheduled to be presented to the CSU Board of Trustees at its May, 1997, meeting. But the university delayed its presentation until September in order to have the benefit of the North Campus Task Force effort.
The NCTF met for five weeks to develop a concept plan of the range of land uses that should be considered for the area. Its recommendations include the development of a new and improved football stadium, entertainment industry uses (such as a move/television and related production facilities that can be linked to the university's academic programs), a hotel and conference center and retail uses.
The recommended land uses are intended to provide a source of revenue to support CSUN's educational programs as well as the economic and environmental objectives of the community and the Valley. The plan includes landscaped buffers and landscaped pedestrian walkways to tie the various recommended uses together.
University officials anticipate a one- to two-year process for the development of a comprehensive master plan that builds upon the concept plan.
"The Task Force's recommendations demonstrate the importance business and civic leaders to plan for the long-term development of the north campus," Wilson said. "CSUN is committed to contributing to the economic growth of the Valley and the surrounding region, and we know the business community and our residential neighbors want to contribute to the growth of CSUN's educational resources. Their recommendations provide guidance for long-term development that will be mutually beneficial."
Task force member Bill Allen said the task force's success in developing a plan for the north campus "demonstrates the value of communication between the Valley's business community and its university. The two are more independent than they have ever realized.
"I hope this will be just the first of many opportunities to deepen the bonds of mutual interest and support," he said.
Ross Hopkins, another task force member, said the task force was "very cognizant" of the concerns expressed by local homeowners regarding the impact a retail center and by others who felt retail was an inappropriate use of the site.
"The task force also recognized the university's need to generate revenue and, also, wanted to ensure that whatever retail center was built was economically viable," Hopkins said. "Recognizing the need to balance these two very significant constraints, the task force did agree that retail uses should provide tenants that would serve both the student community and the wider commercial market."
The university will now weigh the task force's recommendations and will work over the next several months with Councilman Bernson and his Citizens Advisory Committee reviewing the proposal.
California State University Chancellor's Office Press Releases
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