The Corona City Council Wednesday took another step forward in the redevelopment of the North Mall as a mixed-use project, approving a $1.48 million amended contract with SVA Architects for architectural services, starting the entitlement process and directing staff to pursue an exemption to the Surplus Land Act.
“The North Mall redevelopment project is envisioned to be a thriving, vibrant, mixed-use development with retail, residential and commercial components,” Assistant City Manager Justin Tucker said at the January 7 meeting. “Most recently, the council gave staff direction to pursue an entitlement on the property to control the design, the look and feel, and what that experience would be like in the downtown.”
However, Tucker said that seeking an entitlement without also pursuing a Surplus Land Act (SLA) exemption from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) could result in wasting taxpayer money…