November 14, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: D. Gregg Doyle
City and Regional Planning Department
805-756-2285

Ray Ladd
College of Architecture and Environmental Design
805-756-7432

Cal Poly Students’ Downtown Plan Sparks City’s Interest

SAN LUIS OBISPO – An award-winning entry by Cal Poly students in a recent regional design competition has captured the interest – and imagination – of Grover Beach’s planning officials and area public housing representatives.

An interdisciplinary design team at Cal Poly proposed a $28.6 million mixed-use, mixed-income housing opportunity project in downtown Grover Beach for the 2006 Bank of America Low-Income Housing Challenge.

And, for Grover Beach planners, the proposed project – called Ventana del Mar – goes well beyond an academic exercise.

 “Ventana del Mar is being seriously considered as a long-term viable option for that part of the Grande Avenue corridor,” said George Hanson, Grover Beach community development director.

The proposed project would replace a blighted commercial space in the town’s central core with 100,000 square feet of residential and commercial construction, open space and an opportunity for reasonably priced housing in an increasingly costly coastal community.

The 12-member team reflected collaboration of three departments in the College of Architecture and Environmental Design, and students in the Orfalea College of Business. The design placed second in the competition against UC Berkeley and Stanford. The team was coached by City and Regional Planning Professor D. Gregg Doyle.

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