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Sean MacLeod figures that he was just the right guy at the right place at the right time.
"And I was able to convince everybody to see it m way," joked MacLeod, who is credited with lighting the spar that ignited what is now the Cedros Avenue Design District in Solana Beach, now in its 10th year.
MacLeod, who started acquiring property in 1991, now owns more than 100,000 square feet of commercial property on the avenue. He knew something about the process of developing a posh district, having earlier experience in the redevelopment of Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, a 10-block stretch of upscale shopping and dining businesses.
"I saw what I thought was a terrific opportunity to take the character and history of the street and enhance it without losing its character," said MacLeod.
Now, a decade later, the posh European-styled avenue, located north of the city of Del Mar between Via de la Valle and Lomas Santa Fe Drive, boasts some 90 businesses - shops that feature sculptures, Italian ceramics, mosaic tables, home furnishings from around the world, designer clothing and jewelry, in addition to art galleries, cafes, restaurants and day spas - it even has a cat and dog boutique.
On Oct. 18, district merchants kicked off a 10th anniversary celebration, followed by a streetwide open house Oct. 20, with food, drinks and entertainment offered throughout the day.
"We've naturally evolved over the last 10 years," said MacLeod. "We have had incredible growth of the district and sales taxrevenue production."
In 1997, there was about 290,000 square feet of commercial, retail and office space in the district, generating roughly $50,000 in annual sales tax revenue for the city. Ten years later, there is about 322,000 square feet, generating an average of $500,000 in annual sales tax revenue, he said.
"They like us, we like them," MacLeod said of Cedros Avenue's rapport with the city. "We work very closely with them."
Solana Beach Mayor Lesa Heebner is equally complimentary when speaking of the design district.
"It's evolving as such a desirable place for local businesses," she said. "People love going there, with its unique ambience. You get so sick and tired of the same old strip malls - anywhere U.S.A."
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