Chesnut Properties Pioneers Autonomous Vehicle Hub in Chula Vista

An innovative autonomous vehicle research and development hub is coming to Chula Vista. Millenia Smart Park from developer Chesnut Properties will feature small and large drone aerial testing, marine drone testing and an autonomous vehicle testing track along with office buildings and research space.

Chula Vista has already committed to becoming a smart city. The area is one of only two autonomous vehicle proving grounds designated by the US Department of Transportation in California, making it an ideal location for the park. “There is already an infrastructure in place in San Diego to support a totally autonomous community,” Lee Chesnut of Chesnut Properties tells GlobeSt.com. “It starts with the city of Chula Vista, which is committed to being the smartest city in the country. The preparation has been made to transition into the future of a technology community, and the City of Chula Vista is leading that and the Millennia development is prepared for that.”

Chesnut has a distinct and innovative vision for the property, which leverages the location and the existing technology network in the market. “The land and the location is an immense resource, and I picture very powerful large-scale facilities clustering along the 125 Freeway, creating an incredible hub for technology development,” he says. “It is an incredible location. We realized that the property has a position in the community that is unmatched by anyone in country. It will be an incredible location that will represent the best that can be built. This is going to be an example for the rest of the country to follow.”

The heart of the property will focus on autonomous vehicles, and Chesnut sees this aspect as the future of the project. “The City of Chula Vista is supportive of developing an autonomous vehicle test track, which would allow for the testing and development of autonomous vehicles,” he says. “We could potentially give exclusive control of the test track to a large tech company. The track will also have facilities to house vehicles. We will have research and physical testing on the property.”

The local amenities that support such a forward-thinking development are endless. They include an FAA-approved airspace and a nearby airport with approval for drone testing. “The fact that we have the largest FAA approved airspace immediately to the south will allow companies all over the country to come to the area and test their drones. It is a very active airspace location for drone testing,” says Chesnut. “We also have an incredible airport with Brown Field, which has already allowed large-scale drones to take off from their runways. We have coordinated with them to utilize a runway and utilize hangers.”

Chesnut is prepared to start construction at anytime, and currently has permits in hand for the first 325,000 square feet at the property. He plans to break ground in late summer.