Friends of “Mainstreet?”

Friends of Carmel Valley “Main Street”

The ‘Main Street” project planned for the corner of Del Mar Heights Road and El Camino Real in Carmel Valley has created quite a buzz in the community. Like any other development, the project has both supporters and opponents. Supporters agree that the project will bring more life and fun to the area, and at the same time will create more than 2000 permanent local jobs. Opponents believe the project will create significant traffic and parking problems for the neighboring streets.

Opponents have launched a website to echo their voice. On that website, they are grossly exaggerating on their numbers. I am personally a supporter of the project. I know of many others that are supporters of the project too. So, why don’t we start our own website as “Friends of Main Street”? Let’s hear from both sides by starting this blog.

Here are my justifications for supporting the project: I live in Carmel Valley and I am loving it. However, I have one complaint; there is not enough retails and restaurants here. We often go outside of Carmel Valley for our shopping and dining. Over 40,000 people live here and we only have two and a half strip malls. You can imagine how congested they always are, and how limited we are for our choices. I hear some people don’t even use local retails because they do not want to fight for a parking spot. Main Street will be the much needed additional options to shop, dine, hang out, and have fun. I believe that in long term such project will also help the existing business in the area.

I have one philosophy; grow or you will die. I totally agree, however, that growth must be regulated and can not be out of control. And I know that there are many steps on the way for this proposed project that study the plan vigorously before it is approved. All I am saying is that don’t just say stop the plan without even studying it. We all can think of some big developments that finally completed after so many years of delays and with five times the original expected cost. Just look at our neighboring Del Mar. For so many years they stopped any new development. Now they are trying hard to bring more business to the city.

I understand the concern about the potential traffic and parking impacts of “Main Street” project. The developer and the planning committees are well aware about it, and significant studies have been done about this potential impact. The developer will put a huge amount of investment on-site and off-site to mitigate such impacts. However, I am sure there will be some traffic impact on a small part of Carmel Valley, mainly on Del Mar Heights Road between I-5 and El Camino Real. But, that will be small price to pay for such a fantastic project .

And remember, no pain no gain. That is my opinion; what is yours?

Michael Seddigh | Community Contributor

Michael Seddigh completed his doctorate degree in plant genetics at Oregon State University in 1987 and started his career as a faculty at that same institution. After moving to San Diego in 1997, he diverted the majority of his attention and activities to real estate investments. He then joined Prudential California Realty in 2000 and Coldwell Banker in 2007 as a broker associate and a mentor. His background as an educator and his knowledge and experience in the real estate industry makes him an excellent candidate as an advisor and a lecturer in the field of real estate investments.