According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, the Palomar Health campus in downtown Escondido, which is about 30 miles northeast of San Diego, was sold for $18 million nearly a year ago and now has a date with the wrecking ball. The complex will be replaced by 450 housing units in 33 separate buildings spread over 13.6 acres, that will be known as Palomar Heights. Plans for adding approximately 5,500 square feet of commercial and/or office space are also part of the deal.
The property was on the market for several years. Eleven months ago, it was announced Integral Communities had reached an agreement with Palomar Health. Integral, the nation’s 12th largest home builder, is also now constructing a condominium/apartment complex on the site of the former Escondido Police Headquarters on the western end of downtown.
The sale does not become official until late spring because Palomar Health asked for 15 months to relocate the few services still being offered at the site. The new members of the Escondido City Council appear excited about the project because they say it will be home to thousands of people who will hopefully shop, dine and otherwise help with the revitalization of Grand Avenue and downtown.
“I look forward to seeing the details of the project,” said newly elected Escondido Mayor Paul McNamara. “We’re in the early stages of putting committees together to enhance the downtown. One of the things it will need is people. This project has some promise to bring more people to the downtown.” The property is zoned for as many as 1,000 units, but according to a memorandum written on behalf of Integral, the density being proposed “respects the surrounding community and supports the existing commercial uses in downtown Escondido.
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