California State University, NorthridgeCalifornia State University, Northridge
March 3, 1997
Contact: Frank Wein,
(818) 677-2561
The report details the proposed University MarketCenter, a 220,000 square-foot project targeted for about 20 acres of little-used university land south of Devonshire Street. The document formally opens a required 45-day public review and comment period on the project.
To seek further public input, the university also has set a public hearing on the report for Thursday, March 27, at 7 p.m. in the Northridge Center of the University Student Union. Copies of the report are now available for public review in CSUN's Oviatt Library and Facilities Planning Office.
"During a time of shrinking state financial support for higher education coupled with rising enrollment demands, the University MarketCenter will ensure a stable, long-term source of funding--up to $1 million per year--to enhance campus programs," said CSUN President Blenda J. Wilson.
University officials expect the center to generate revenues for the campus through a long-term lease of the site to the project's private developers, Cousins MarketCetners Inc. and Hopkins Real Estate Group. The center also would create (more) more than 300 jobs and offer many possible tie-ins with CSUN academic programs.
As proposed, the center planned for a parcel between Lindley and Zelzah avenues would include a main section of six retail stores along with a 6,800-square-foot food court. Also proposed are several freestanding structures that could include smaller retail stores and restaurants.
The contemporary Mediterranean-style center, with planned decorative stone and plaster facades, would incorporate extensive landscaping throughout, including perimeter berms. Nearby streets and intersections would be improved. And the center will include 929 parking spaces, enough to meet all parking needs on-site.
The impact report process is governed by the California Environmental Quality Act, which mandates that the report analyze any potential significant environmental impacts associated with the project and identify mitigations, or improvements, that will reduce those impacts
Overall, the project report assessed environmental impacts in eight broad categories, mostly finding either no significant adverse impacts or none that project improvements would not resolve. The report did identify some remaining impacts involving traffic and emissions, as well as noise during construction.
After the public review period, university officials expect to seek approvals from both the Cal State system's Board of Trustees and then from Los Angeles city officials through a conditional use permit. Construction could start later this year and be completed by late 1998.