San Diego Assembly Member David Alvarez introduced a new bill that would support the establishment of a regional university in Chula Vista.
The newly introduced legislation, Assembly Bill 837, would secure 383 acres of land for the City of Chula Vista to construct a university. The bill would give the city an exemption from the Surplus Lands Act for the land that has been acquired for the University-Innovation District.
“Adding a university in the City of Chula Vista would generate immense economic benefits reverberating across the extended region,” Alvarez said in a statement.
“Surplus land” means land owned in fee simple by any local agency for which the local agency’s governing body takes formal action in a regular public meeting declaring that the land is surplus and is not necessary for the agency’s use, according to the bill’s text.
Chula Vista Mayor John McCann said AB 837 “will provide the ability for the City of Chula Vista to create a world-class university that will bring much needed higher education opportunities to the young people of South County to improve their lives.”
Individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree have greater earning power and can earn about $32,000 more on an annual basis than those whose highest degree is a high school diploma.
In addition to a university, approximately 4,000 residential units are projected to be developed as part of the mixed-use UID project. The UID project, under city regulations, will require at least 5% of these units to be affordable to moderate-income households, 5% to low-income households, and 5% to very-low-income households.
The legislation may be heard in committee on March 17.
