It's almost like they planted a whole bunch of bulbs in the garden, this dirt lot, and all the bulbs are blossoming. Timing also is important. People vying for the urban lifestyle are finding they have to add their names to waiting lists for rental vacancies or, if they are looking to buy a new home, they may have to purchase before construction begins. Over the last two years is when it really started and the momentum is building. Using the number of units currently in the entitlement process in San Diego County, MarketPoint estimates that this year will find 5.5 percent are Downtown.
Entitlement is defined as the government process by which a legal subdivided lot is created.
Historically, less than 1 percent of residential housing units were planned for the area. In 1996, Downtown made up 0.8 percent of the new housing units in the county and 3.9 percent in the city. A look at CCDC's rolls shows 41 projects in various stages of development. That group includes 632 apartments and 1,731 condominiums under construction. This brings the total of new housing units Downtown for 2001 to 2,323 apartments and 2,460 condominiums.