How Developers Can Fuel Revitalization, Not Disruption
On its Mercado del Barrio in San Diego’s Barrio Logan, developer Shea Properties has worked with the community to preserve the local culture of the neighborhood.
“The site of Mercado del Barrio was vacant for years, and went through a number of redevelopment attempts, but it wasn’t until our plan to involve the community in our efforts, that the site became a reality,” Kevin McCook, VP of acquisitions and development at Shea Properties, tells GlobeSt.com. “We spent a lot of time with the community to see what it was they wanted from a retail center, and we were able to bring Northgate Market to the deal, some other local favorites like Mariscos el Pulpo and Tocumbo’s, and incorporate community gathering space for events. All things that the community asked for at the beginning of the project.”
Shea Properties takes a community approach to its projects from the start of its developments. Understanding the community culture often results in stronger performance. “It’s much easier to work with the community at the onset of a project, especially one as strong and vibrant as Barrio Logan, than it is to fix things after the fact. The public gathering space at Mercado, as well as the public art program, were direct results of this involvement,” adds McCook. “In the end, we are seeing first-hand the community’s acceptance of the center through the increasing number of events we’re hosting on site. We’re seeing the community use the center as we originally envisioned.”
Ultimately, the goal is to deliver a community that will best perform over the long term, and working within the community to deliver a project that people want makes sense. “We think it should always be an open dialogue. We are developers, and our ultimate goal is to see our centers succeed,” says McCook. “That said, we increase our chances at success if we consider how we fit in with our local community, as we are a part of it. We wouldn’t want to create a retail experience that didn’t fit in, aesthetically or culturally, with the very people we’re hoping will use it most. So, involving the community in everything we do is a vital part of our development strategy.”
The strategy has been successful. “The community response has been great. Mercado del Barrio is now 96% leased with some fantastic tenants that have been here since the early days, and some amazing new tenants, like Attitude Brewing and Dough Nation, getting ready to open in the near future,” says McCook. “The community certainly supports us; however, now we’re seeing that Mercado del Barrio has grown its appeal into a regional destination as well.”