Smart Corner, is a gateway project intended to launch the redevelopment of the northern edge of the East Village. This project is a major element of the Park-to-Bay public improvement project that is being concurrently completed by the San Diego Governments (SANDAG) and associated agencies. Site preparation activities also included the construction of a temporary trolley station on an adjacent block and the relocation of the heavily traveled City College Trolley Station. In early 2007, the Trolley was re-routed through the Smart Corner site and the first train rolled through the new station.

Although conventionally financed, the development process required several steps prior to funding. Early on in the process, the Lankford team successfully negotiated the Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (ENA) between the Redevelopment Agency and the Development Team as well as the San Diego Housing Authority. Pursuant to the ENA, negotiation and execution of the Disposition and Development Agreement with the Redevelopment Agency, committing both the Agency and the Development Team to the terms and conditions of development for the entire project was transacted. Simultaneous to the DDA, the Development Team and San Diego Housing Commission negotiated the Purchase and Sale Agreement for the office portion of the project. The project was completed in 2007.