A 13-acre redevelopment site in San Diego’s University City has cleared a key land-use approval, moving closer to construction of a new residential and commercial district near major employment centres and public transit. RICK Engineering helped secure Final Map approval for High Street Village in September 2026, allowing the property owner to begin selling individual development parcels to builders.
The project will transform the former Costa Verde Center into a mixed-use neighbourhood featuring housing, retail, restaurants and community gathering spaces. Its location next to the UTC Transit Center and UC San Diego Blue Line Trolley is intended to support a pedestrian-oriented development connected to regional transportation.
RICK has worked with the development team since 2021, supporting the site through planning changes, ownership transition and preparation for redevelopment.
The property was initially considered for a life sciences campus before plans shifted toward residential development. Following the 2025 acquisition by Cass Street Ventures and Global Mutual, the development strategy moved toward a mixed-use neighbourhood designed to take advantage of the site's proximity to employment centres and public transportation.
To accommodate the revised housing plans, RICK worked with the client to separate the property from an existing specific plan. This enabled the development team to use updated zoning regulations that allow higher-density residential development.
The City of San Diego approved the High Street Village Final Map in September 2026. The approval established individual parcels within the development, allowing the property owner to begin selling lots to builders for separate development.
RICK coordinated with the client and city staff to complete the approval process under a demanding schedule, securing approval one day ahead of the target deadline.
The milestone moves the project beyond a lengthy planning and subdivision process and into the building permit phase. RICK is continuing its involvement through preliminary civil engineering design for several planned buildings.
Rather than constructing the entire site as a single development, High Street Village is expected to advance through individual parcels over several years. Plans call for multiple mid-rise and high-rise buildings, alongside retail, restaurants and shared community spaces.
The phased approach will allow separate builders to develop individual lots while contributing to the broader mixed-use neighbourhood plan. RICK's previous involvement in the site's planning and approvals provides continuity as the project moves into implementation.
High Street Village represents a significant redevelopment opportunity in one of San Diego's major employment areas. Its combination of higher-density housing, commercial uses and access to public transit could support a more connected neighbourhood while adding residential options near UC San Diego and surrounding workplaces.
Source: Rick.
