NCTD Working with Developers on Low-Income Housing Plans at 2 SPRINTER Stations

The North County Transit District Board of Directors has given the green light to talks with developers to provide low-income housing at two SPRINTER station sites in Oceanside.

The first exclusive negotiation agreement, governing the Melrose SPRINTER Station, at Oceanside Boulevard and Melrose Drive, is with USA Properties Fund Inc. and Waterford Property Company, a general partnership.

The second, for the Rancho Del Oro SPRINTER Station, at Oceanside Boulevard and Rancho del Oro Drive, is with Father Joe’s Villages.

“These projects will be instrumental to increasing ridership and enhancing community spaces,” said NCTD Board Chair Jewel Edson. “The addition of housing and amenities at each station improves the convenience of taking transit and will have a positive impact on the surrounding communities.”

The Melrose Avenue and Rancho Del Oro SPRINTER stations are part of NCTD’s transit-oriented development strategy at 11 sites across North County, including the Oceanside Transit Center, Carlsbad Village and Poinsettia Stations, Escondido Transit Center, and five additional SPRINTER Stations in Oceanside, Vista and San Marcos.

“We’re committed to developing our stations in a way that improves the transit experience in North County and benefits the community by bringing needed housing and economic development,” said NCTD CEO Shawn M. Donaghy. “The selection of potential developers for these sites is the first step in transforming these transit stations into vibrant, livable communities with easy access to our transit system.”

The transit-oriented development projects will include housing, retail and community amenities like parks, trails and gathering spaces. The projects are a part of NCTD’s strategy to transform underutilized land into mobility hubs that also support regional housing goals.

The proposed Melrose SPRINTER Station and Rancho Del Oro SPRINTER Station projects will include low-income and very low-income units, adding to Oceanside’s supply of affordable housing.

Melrose SPRINTER Station project includes:

• 420 affordable housing units
• Neighborhood park, pedestrian walkway, and enhanced transit walking areas
• Transit dedicated parking spaces

The Rancho Del Oro SPRINTER Station includes:

• 98 affordable housing units
• 8,000 square feet of retail space
• Public plaza, wide paseos for pedestrians and numerous cyclist amenities
• Transit dedicated parking spaces
• Enhanced station waiting areas
• Improved bus infrastructure and bus operator restrooms

“Father Joe’s Villages is honored to partner with NCTD and the city of Oceanside as the developer of the Rancho Del Oro SPRINTER Station property,” said Deacon Jim Vargas, President and CEO of Father Joe’s Villages. “Bringing this affordable housing project to life, together, near transit, has the power to prevent homelessness for hundreds of people across Oceanside.”