San Mateo’s aging Avalon Motel will be redeveloped into 42 townhomes

City Ventures plans to redevelop the nearly 2-acre site into 42 for-sale townhomes each fitted with solar panels, energy-efficient appliances, low-flow plumbing fixtures and electric vehicle charging stations.

The company’s Director of Development Andrew Warner said Wednesday that construction on the project should start this summer and be completed by the end of 2017.

Warner, however, would not comment on many of the motel’s long-term residents, one who has reportedly lived there for 18 years.

At a Planning Commission previously, Warner said his company would provide ousted tenants with at least three months rent.

Many of the rooms at the motel are currently vacant but some families still live at the 48-room motel at 220 N. Bayshore Blvd. that is well known for its criminal activity.

City Ventures will transform the primarily asphalt lot into eight, three-story buildings with a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom units.

Seeking to tap into the “new homebuyer market,” each townhome would have either a two- or three-car garage with electric vehicle charging infrastructure and permeable pavement out front. In creating a family-friendly environment, there will also be access to community gardens, a small play area, barbecue and outdoor seating.

The Planning Commission approved the project in January after members said it was underutilized land and “a blight on the neighborhood.”

City Ventures entered into a contract to buy the motel in 2013 when it had an asking price of $8.5 million.

At that time, City Ventures contended that the site could be developed into a 145-unit multi-family residential complex or condominiums or even a skilled-nursing or assisted-living senior housing complex under city zoning rules.

The Avalon rents rooms by the day for $49.99 and also rents by the week.

City Ventures is known for building homes with advanced green technology.

The site was sought in 2000 by a group that wanted to tear down the motel that was built in 1936 for a Amerisuites hotel with 194 rooms. Neighbors protested the Planning Commission’s approval of the project, however, and it never got constructed.

The council approved the project on a 5-0 vote.

Among its approvals was a Historic Demolition Permit needed to tear down the motel since it qualifies to be listed on the state’s register of historic places.

In October, Planning Commissioner Eric Rodriguez visited the site and said: “After almost tripping over a half-full bottle of malt liquor, I was just really disappointed as to how this was part of this neighborhood that deserves better. I think San Mateo deserves better. We talked a lot about how important housing is, I think this is a great spot for housing. I think this is what we need in this area.”