Chula Vista's vision of a multifaceted community hub is inching closer to reality with recent decisions to bring in high-profile tenants to the new Millenia Library building—educational heavyweight San Diego State University (SDSU) and an ambitious local film production endeavor, the Chula Vista Entertainment Complex, 10News reported.
Bringing Hollywood a bit closer to home, Aaron David Roberts' Chula Vista Entertainment Complex plans to occupy the top two floors of the four-story library for phase one, introducing podcast rooms, video studios, and edit bays with the second phase involving the purchase of land to construct a 90,000-square-foot sound stage, "I had plenty of people reach out to me and say, oh, I live in oceanside, up north, and they’re driving to LA multiple times a week, multiple times a month to work, and we want to bring them back home," Roberts told 10News, highlighting the potential local industry boost.
On the academic front, the university's commitment to the South Bay manifests through SDSU’s School of Nursing and Global Campus programs, which are set to make their home on the library’s entire first floor—a sizable 7,000-square-foot space, the city has penned a Letter of Intent for SDSU to enter into a 10-year lease agreement at a nominal fee of $1 annually—SDSU is "thrilled to support the City of Chula Vista's vision to establish a university presence in the South Bay," SDSU President Dr. Adela de la Torre expressed during a signing ceremony on December 11, as detailed by the City of Chula Vista’s official release.
Demonstrating a classic example of local politics shaping the future, the project's financial backbone includes $25 million funneled by Assemblymember David Alvarez and a $5 million contribution by State Senate President pro Tem Emeritus Toni Atkins towards the Millenia Library's construction, Councilmember Jose Preciado underlined the transformative effect the new establishments will have, stating, “The School of Nursing and Global Campus programs at Millenia Library will expand academic and degree opportunities for hundreds of students, I am excited for the future of the University Innovation District and am proud that SDSU is the first university to put down roots here," according to the City of Chula Vista’s statement.
Speculations aside on how this will reshape the city's economy and culture—the intention is clear; the City of Chula Vista is poised to break ground new opportunities for education and entertainment, setting a vibrant tone for the South Bay's future, and with construction expected to be completed next year, eyes are on the Millenia Library to deliver a boon of new life and activity to the region.
