Northridge : CSUN Development Plan Wins Approval

Cal State Northridge’s plan to solicit private builders to develop the campus’ 65-acre former Devonshire Downs property won approval Wednesday from the California State University system’s Board of Trustees.

The unanimous vote clears the way for campus officials in the coming months to issue an invitation to developers seeking a range of proposals. Campus officials said they are willing to consider commercial, housing and retail projects, but expect the most interest in retail.

“What we hope to achieve here is a range of options, the purpose being to create a revenue stream that may be used to enhance the educational goals and mission of the university,” CSUN President Blenda Wilson told trustees in a briefing Tuesday.

Under the campus’ concept, CSUN’s aged football stadium and the 120-unit University Village Apartments--located on the property CSUN now calls its North Campus--would be demolished and replaced on about 20 acres at the southern end of the site closest to the main campus.

That would leave about 45 acres available for private developers who would lease land from a university-related nonprofit corporation that controls the site. A staff report to trustees said development likely would occur in phases, probably involving several different builders.

The property is bounded by Devonshire Street to the north, Lassen Street to the south, Zelzah Avenue to the east and Lindley Avenue to the west. It was to have been developed as part of a $200 million deal with one developer, but that venture collapsed with little built in 1992.

Lately, CSUN officials have reported receiving inquiries about the property from a range of developers, including Wal-Mart Stores Inc., which currently lacks a San Fernando Valley outlet, and Norman J. Kravetz, known for his Trillium development in Warner Center.