Vision for Chula Vista’s Millenia Library Taking Shape, Rooted in Higher Ed, Entertainment

The Chula Vista City Council has unanimously approved construction of film production facilities on the top two floors of the city’s future Millenia Library.

The city will sign a Letter of Intent with Chula Vista Entertainment Complex, which will build the production operation across 75,000 square feet of space as part of a multi-year lease.

The project includes an opportunity to develop production studios across the street from the library, along with other commercial ventures.

In addition, the council agreed Tuesday to partner with San Diego State University to bring its School of Nursing and Global Campus programs to the lower level of the library building, which is expected to be completed next year.

The SDSU Letter of Intent offers details of a 10-year lease agreement with the city for $1 annually.  The city will fund all tenant improvements in the 7,000 square feet used by SDSU.

“This effort aligns perfectly with SDSU’s mission of expanding access to education to students and strengthening our longstanding partnerships with local schools,” SDSU President Adela de la Torre said.

The library is part of sprawling project underway in Chula Vista, UniverCity, in the Millenia master-planned community. Funding from the city and state has been secured to construct the library as part of the first phase of the University Innovation District.

The entertainment project is estimated to bring in $545 million in economic development to Chula Vista over the next decade.

Complex officials also project that from 150-200 permanent jobs will be generated along with 36,000 annual working days for casts and crews.

“The Chula Vista Entertainment Complex will be the only campus of its kind in San Diego County,” said Mayor John McCann. “This project will set a new standard for our region and will bring critical new economic development to South County.”

The complex’s CEO and founder, Aaron David Roberts, said the project will support the growth of the region’s film and media production industries and be accessible to filmmakers, creators and businesses of all sizes.

“Together, we’re not just revitalizing the local production economy; we’re putting San Diego County back on the map as a powerhouse for media and innovation,” Roberts said.

Initially, video editing bays and sound effects facilities, audio post-production studios and co-working and office space will open in the library building. The city also will present a purchase option for an almost 9-acre lot located across the street.

There are plans to then develop an approximately 89,600-square-foot virtual production studio campus on a nearly 5-acre portion of that lot.

Later, the complex could add any combination of film, arts and entertainment-themed commercial, retail and hotel projects on the remainder of the lot. If there is sufficient demand, additional production studios could be constructed as well.