Though plans for a mixed-use development on the property where Chase Bank sits on Girard Avenue in La Jolla were seemingly off the table after Chase bought the site, the La Jolla Community Planning Association is asking that the plans still be pursued.
Community Planning Association board voted at their meeting Aug. 1 to send a letter to Chase asking that it consider building the development that LJA and its subcommittees ed over the past year.
The concept, designed by local architect Mark Steele, would demolish the two-story building at 7777 Girard and construct a new 39,700-square-foot project, including 10,500 square feet of underground parking and storage. The ground level would feature commercial spaces, services and additional parking, and the second level would feature 15 apartments with mezzanines. One of the residences is proposed to be affordable for lower-income tenants.
A group of about local 30 investors purchased the building and the parking lot behind it in July 2022 and got to work drafting the development plans. The group invested around $14 million in the project, which was overwhelmingly endorsed by LJA and its committees.
However, Chase Bank, which had a long-term sublease on the property, approached the investors with an offer to buy the building for $18.25 million, and the group accepted. Escrow closed in June.
Jack McGrory, a leader of the local investment group, said at the time that “I felt a responsibility to present the [Chase] offer to the group. … I didn’t want to sell. But the money was too good, so they wanted to take it and run.”
With Chase’s purchase, “there is a concern … that there could be a significant pause in development,” LJA President Harry Bubbins said. “We don’t want that work to be delayed and become blighted. It is a very prominent corner and there was a lot of momentum from local people to move forward with a well-received project. Now that a big corporation has bought it, there is a concern that it will be lost in the sauce.”
LJA board member Brian Williams agreed that “this would have been a great project for The Village, and it’s disappointing that it is at risk.”
Chase Bank has not announced what it plans to do with the property, and company representatives declined to comment to the La Jolla Light after the purchase.
Some LJA trustees said Steele’s plans might not be considered because the ground-floor commercial and service spaces would not be suitable for bank use.
But trustee Glen Rasmussen said he was drafting a letter with local to encourage the company to build the development anyway.
A motion ed to send the letter asking Chase to build what is proposed in concept and modify it if needed. Trustee Dan Courtney dissented without comment.
Other LJA news
Sea lions at The Cove: Emily Lynch, representing the office of San Diego City Councilman Joe LaCava, whose District 1 includes La Jolla, said the office recently was in with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric istration to try to find a solution to the continuing issue of people getting too close to sea lions at La Jolla Cove.
Some beach access ers have been seeking a way to get sea lions off the beach, while animal advocates have expressed hopes for other ways to keep people and pinnipeds apart.
“We’re trying to engage NOAA in this conversation, which I think is a new approach,” Lynch said. “And we are still having meetings [with interested parties] trying to figure out the best path forward. We’re open to ideas.”
“Nothing concrete” had come from the conversations with NOAA so far, Lynch said, but she committed to keeping the LJA board updated as more information becomes available.
Next meeting: The La Jolla Community Planning Association next meets at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, at The Bishop’s School, 7607 La Jolla Blvd. Agendas are posted 72 hours in advance at lajollaa.org. ♦
