FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 10, 2018
Contact: Colin Parent
(858) 442-7374
Press and Photo Release: Circulate San Diego and Housing Advocates Call on MTS to Develop Empty Parking Lots into Affordable Homes
Land use and Transportation think tank Circulate San Diego today was joined by affordable housing advocates to call on the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) board to allow their under-utilized parking lots to be developed into homes. Advocates hosted a press conference in front of the MTS offices prior to providing testimony at this morning’s MTS board meeting during public comment.
Today’s efforts are a follow-up to the release of a report in April by Circulate San Diego titled “Real Opportunity.” Circulate’s report provides detailed recommendations for how MTS can stimulate the creation of as many as 8,000 new homes adjacent to transit stations. The report also includes new research demonstrating that a large number of parking lots owned by MTS are substantially under-utilized.
The following advocates were among those that joined Circulate San Diego in calling on MTS to amend their joint development policy so that more homes can be built near transit:
- Colin Parent, Circulate San Diego
- Lori Pfeiler, Habitat for Humanity and Housing You Matters
- Laura Nunn, San Diego Housing Federation
- Carol Kim, San Diego County Building and Construction Trades Council
- John Seymore, National Core
- Gabe Gutierez, Circulate San Diego
- Mike Magellanes, Carpenters Local 1506
- Rafael A. Perez, Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS
“With the new leadership on the MTS Board, we believe that the transit agency has a real opportunity to transform its empty parking lots into affordable homes,” said Colin Parent, Executive Director and General Counsel for Circulate San Diego. Parent also authored the report “Real Opportunity.”
“Too many San Diego families are in need of a home, especially near transit,” said Lori Pfieler with Habitat for Humanity and Housing You Matters. “Now is the time to be proactive and build more homes.”
Pictures from the event are attached to this release.
About Circulate San Diego
Circulate San Diego is a regional non-profit organization dedicated to advancing mobility and making the region a better place to move, work, learn, and play. Our work focuses on creating great mobility choices, more walkable and bikeable neighborhoods, and land uses that promote sustainable growth. For more information, go to www.circulatesd.org.
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