1,800-Unit Mixed-Use Development to Rise Where a Gravel Mine Once Stood

The proposed 3roots San Diego is treading now familiar territory by attempting to appeal to Millennials. Much more novel, however, is the project's reclamation of a former mining pit.

1 minute read

November 4, 2017, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"A 412-acre rock quarry in Mira Mesa, approved for reclamation in 1994, is being replanned to include a 25-acre community park instead of industrial development," reports Roger Showley.

Lehigh Hanson, a subsidiary of Dallas-based Heidelberg Cement Group, is creating the plan for the 3roots San Diego development, which would include 1,800 units in a mixed-use and residential community responding to demand from the Millennial generation. Showley quotes Lehigh Hanson consultant Brian Myers in the article, calling the development an "alt-Urban plan."

Antonio Pacheco picked up on the news of the proposed project for The Architect's Newspaper, with coverage that focuses a little more on the design work going into the project.

The development "would be constructed over what remains of the Carroll Canyon mine, a concrete aggregate and gravel mine that ceased operations in 2016," writes Pacheco. Here's more of his description of the current plan for the project:

The development is to be laid out with a mixed-use “innovation district” at its core that will maintain transit connections to a forthcoming extension of San Diego’s light rail system. The so-called Village Core area will feature 749 apartments, 120,000 square feet of retail spaces, and 20,000 square feet of creative office. Renderings for the project depict two parallel rows of warehouse-style structures surrounding a generous pedestrian courtyard.

Sunday, October 1, 2017 in The San Diego Union-Tribune

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Close-up on woman in white and blue striped knee-length dress standing next to mint green cruiser bike resting against low wrought iron fence in front of green lawn.

Paris Voters Approve More Car-Free Streets

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says the city will develop a plan to close 500 streets to car traffic and add new bike and pedestrian infrastructure after a referendum on the proposal passed with 66 percent of the vote.

15 minutes ago - domus

Close-up of man in manually operated wheelchair waiting at urban crosswalk.

Making Mobility More Inclusive

A new study highlights the challenges people with disabilities continue to face in navigating urban spaces.

1 hour ago - Greater Good Magazine

US and Texas flags flying in front of Texas state capitol dome in Austin, Texas.

Texas Bills Could Push More People Into Homelessness

A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.

2 hours ago - The Texas Tribune