By Noel Smith
Scotts Valley Mayor Jim Reed said, “We finally have a developer (PDC) that is dedicated to putting all the pieces together and following through. Those that came tonight seemed to be pleased that this project is finally getting some attention.”
Deborah Karbo, vice president of development for Property Development Centers (PDC) and Tom Fitzpatrick, Development Manager for PDC were there to answer questions. Karbo said, “Even though we are no longer part of Safeway Inc., a Safeway will still be the anchor store for the project. The other retail spaces will not be large enough to attract another retailer large enough to be an anchor. Town Center will be a place primarily for small retail, specialty shops, and services in additions to its residential occupants.”
Fitzpatrick said, “We have come to tentative purchase agreements with all of the property owners for the site. The biggest purchase is 8.15 acres from the city of Santa Cruz which owns the Skypark property.” For the final parcels of land, PDC is in negotiations with the City of Scotts Valley.
Karbo said, “Our next step is to get input from the community about the purpose, design and the amenities they expect from the Town Center project. We have learned that this is an essential step before committing to a design that we bring to the public. We plan to have this phase done and ready to go before the public this fall for final review and then presented to the county in early 2015.”
The concept of a 15-acre mixed-use retail and residential development fronting on Mount Hermon Road and occupying the balance of the Skypark property called Town Center has been simmering for almost ten years. The weak economy and, until now, the lack of a developer with know how, commitment and the money to finance such a project has blocked successful development.
The city’s vision would have about 150,000 square feet of retail space to be rented by local and national retailers. The Safeway store as the anchor for the project would occupy about 50,000 square feet. Residential development would include affordable housing and senior apartments. The final element of an open space for community events and would make this indeed a “Town Center.” The commitment by the City to oversee the design and the public’s approval will guide the plan.
PDC intends to not only to be the buyer of the property, but also the developer and the manager/landlord of the completed property. This avoids many of the obstacles to a Scotts Valley Town Center and simplifies the project.
Reed said, “We are very optimistic that we PDC is just as excited about this addition to Scotts Valley as are the residents.”
PDC does not yet have a design in place for the project. This was the first in a series of community to get input,
City Vice Mayor Dene Bustichi said, “PDC seems as anxious as we are to bring the Town Center into reality.”
PDC will hold at least three more meetings located at the Community Center at 360 Kings Village Rd. in Scotts Valley. The next meeting is July 15 from 12-2 pm, July 30 from 6:30-8:30 pm, and August 13 from 6:30-8:30 pm. The goal of these meetings is to gather community input to help provide direction and vision for the architects and developers of Town Center. It’s possible that at the August 13 meeting PDC may present concepts for the project.