Farrow's neighbors include bartenders, dot-comers, lawyers, an actor, a film grip and a radio personality. The change is recent. Now that Downtown is starting to become a place, the general masses are starting to show up in greater numbers. Segal credits the Centre City Development Corp. with 25 years of laying the foundation that's finally produced today's activity. 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.