As it moves into its 40th year since incorporating in 1980, Santee is preparing to do more to show off its assets.

And that includes more culture and fun for tourists and residents alike via a plan first brought forth to the Santee City Council in August to make room for an art and entertainment district in its Santee Town Center area.

The City Council earlier this month approved a zoning change that will streamline the permitting process and eliminate the need for additional reviews for qualified businesses wanting to be a part of the new district. It approved a staff plan to add a 155-acre area of arts and entertainment to the mix that already includes retail, commercial, offices, civic and recreational land use in the Santee Town Center.

The city has officially earmarked the spot for entertainment inside a 706-acre parcel of Town Center and the nearby Santee Trolley Square. The area is south of the San Diego River, north of Mission Gorge Road, east of Cuyamaca Street and west of Magnolia Avenue.


The city wants to lure tourists and encourage residents to visit what it hopes will be at least one coming brewery, nightclubs, art galleries, dance companies, public art venues, a state-of-the-art movie theater/restaurant combo, performing arts activities and a high-line hotel.

Santee Mayor John Minto said even if Santee doesn’t have a “huge museum with big art, if we have a small art gallery, it’s still valuable.”

Minto said that adding a special arts and entertainment area is a “very dynamic idea” that will add value to Santee.

“A lot of places I’ve traveled have areas with specific types of businesses that cater to the arts and entertainment, whether it’s simply shopping for souvenirs or restaurants and galleries,” he said. “Arts and culture brings great value to each community where they are.”


The approved district will also include streets and public paths and trails where street fairs and other special events are held.

There is already a theater site earmarked on an undeveloped 6.7-acre parcel of land and a hotel proposed for a 1.62-acre parcel in the area. Karl Strauss Brewery has been approved to open in the district but as of yet has not opened.

Minto said there is “a great likelihood” for all three of those businesses opening their doors in Santee in the near future, but he added, “Being realistic, I’ll believe it when I see it.”