News Summary
San Diego is embarking on a major transformation of the 12th & Imperial Transit Hub, including renovations and a six-story residential building with affordable units. This initiative seeks to tackle the ongoing housing crisis while enhancing transit services. Local leaders support the project, though some express concerns over the building’s height, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions to further improve housing availability. The expansion is projected to cost approximately $13.6 million, with construction bids expected to be sought soon.
San Diego is preparing for a major overhaul of the 12th & Imperial Transit Hub, which will include significant renovations and a new residential development amid ongoing housing crisis concerns. The redesign will introduce new bus bays and expanded trolley boarding platforms, providing enhanced services for commuters and possibly increasing transit usage in the region.
As part of this ambitious project, a six-story apartment building will be constructed, featuring rent-restricted units aimed at providing more affordable housing options. Local leaders have praised the initiative, noting it may help address the pressing challenges posed by the area’s housing crisis while also fostering a more vibrant urban atmosphere.
However, some local officials have voiced criticism regarding the height of the planned apartment building. Chula Vista Councilmember Jose Preciado expressed concerns that the structure should have greater height to better satisfy the demand for housing. Similarly, officials from the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) indicated disappointment with the building height but recognized that financial constraints for developers were a significant factor in the design decision.
MTS General Counsel Karen Landers stated that pursuing taller structures was financially unfeasible due to the high costs of construction currently experienced in the region. This decision comes in light of the MTS choosing not to wait for potential market shifts that could make larger developments more viable in the future. However, MTS Chief Executive Sharon Cooney reassured the public that the current project will not obstruct larger housing developments from being built in the vicinity in the future.
In addition to the renovation of the transit center, the expanded transit center will enable the development of a second housing project along nearby National Avenue. County Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe has argued that MTS should explore innovative solutions independently of developers to enhance housing availability further.
The new housing project will be supported by funding from the San Diego Foundation, contributing to the formation of a new housing corridor east of Petco Park. Neighboring developments are already underway, including Logan Yards with 900 units, a former skydiving center site providing 164 homes, and Tailgate Park, which will offer 600 homes alongside 1.4 million square feet of office and retail space.
The 12th & Imperial redevelopment project will encompass a total of 161 homes, including 74 one-bedroom units, 55 two-bedroom units, and 32 three-bedroom units. While specific income qualifications and rent details have yet to be disclosed, the development aims to provide essential housing amid the demand for more affordable living options in San Diego.
The entire transit center expansion is expected to cost around $13.6 million, which will increase the number of bus bays from four to 13 and enhance facilities for trolley services. Funding for the expansion includes over $10.9 million from a state grant through the Transit Intercity Rail Capital Program. Construction bids for the transit center are anticipated to be solicited early in the upcoming year, with the housing portion of the project expected to commence in 2027 and reach completion by 2029.
As this redevelopment is taking place, the MTS Board has maintained its leadership with the re-election of Stephen Whitburn and Steve Goble as chair and vice-chair for the next two years. Concurrently, the recent passage of SB 79 by California Governor Gavin Newsom enables taller housing developments near transit hubs, overriding certain local zoning laws. This law increases the maximum height for buildings near transit stops to six stories while allowing local governments specific discretion over housing density.
Once in effect on July 1, 2026, SB 79 aims to support dense development close to transit stations to encourage public transport use and ultimately help alleviate California’s housing crisis—a critical issue that continues to concern residents and officials alike.
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Additional Resources
- NBC San Diego
- Wikipedia: Transit-oriented development
- San Diego Union Tribune
- Google Search: housing crisis California
- Times of San Diego
- Google Scholar: California housing legislation
- Realtor.com
- Encyclopedia Britannica: urban development
- CBS 8
- Google News: California Senate Bill 79
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