$40M Green Project Includes Condos, Retail

MONTEREY PARK, CA-San Marino-based First California Equity Group LLC plans a 54-unit mixed-use project called the Springfield Condominiums that will include a retail complex and will seek to become Monterey Park's first LEED-certified development. The project, recently approved by Monterey Park city planners, will be developed on a site at 220 N. Atlantic Blvd. that formerly housed the Sunday Cafe restaurant.

First California expects the mixed-use development to serve as a catalyst to revitalize the underutilized North Atlantic Corridor by introducing new architecture and a pedestrian-friendly environment. Robert Kim, who runs the day-to-day development operations for the Springfield Project, tells GlobeSt.com that the company expects to begin construction of the project within the next six to nine months and to complete the development within 18 months of the start of construction.

The retail portion of the site will include a coffee shop and an upscale, 400-seat restaurant with space that may be rented by the public for private functions such as weddings, birthday parties and corporate events. Nearly 20,000 sf of landscaped, park-like open space will be available for public gathering, art and music performances.

All parking at the site will be underground as a means of maximizing the use of the land, and the project design will include elements like art and a water feature sculpture that will be aimed to help create a sense of community. The developers note that the project will exceed the design standards set forth in the City of Monterey Park's general plan, which was adopted in 2001 to create a vision for the downtown area.

The city's vision for the future of Downtown Monterey Park calls for the area to be developed into "a vibrant mixed-use district that provides many opportunities for new commercial featuring national retailers and residential development," according to the city's web site.