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SDCAL
Nov 10, 2014, 2:59 AM
If this does ever get off the ground will it be re-designed? when I look back to the intro of this forum, that design has been around since at least 2007. Let's say it breaks ground in another year or two and then it takes several years to build. By that point we could be looking at buildings designed nearly 15 years prior going up. Plus, the design was mediocre even 8 or 9 years ago when it first came out.

That is prime land, I've even heard it's the most valuable undeveloped coastal property on the West Coast. I'm as anxious as everyone to have the nasty buildings there now replaced, but I really hope something more iconic and visionary goes up there. Whether it's manchester re-doing it or someone else coming-up with something way better, I just think proceeding with the current plans would be a huge missed opportunity for DTSD.

nezbn22
Nov 10, 2014, 4:23 PM
Mello - couldn't agree more. Absolutely mind-boggling how poorly the western waterfront has been handled.

SDCAL - I'm with you on the design. Looks very nice, but nothing iconic. On the other hand, though, maybe we should be thankful that it looks nice. I get worried when they take bold design risks. I'm pretty conservative from a design perspective, so the modern stuff (like Lane Field) makes me nervous. I'm not saying it's bad, it just makes me nervous that it'll look super weird in a decade or two.

I don't know how it works, but maybe they have a basic design that leaves room for finishing touches once the project actually becomes a reality? I'm sure they'll update it accordingly once it ever gets off the ground. Too much money going into that to have it be out-dated from the get-go.

Prahaboheme
Nov 10, 2014, 5:22 PM
A couple updates from this weekend. I didn't make it further into the East Village or over to the Waterfront as I had hoped, perhaps I will be able to get to those areas this week.

First and foremost, Bikeshare (aka DecoBike) is finally setting up around town. I have to admit, I wasn't sure if this was ever going to happen. It's great to see what will eventually become one of the nation's largest bikeshare programs finally launch.


http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah315/briandavise/Bikeshare_zps331a29f3.jpg (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/briandavise/media/Bikeshare_zps331a29f3.jpg.html)
6th / B St

http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah315/briandavise/Bikeshare2_zps0d18bcd0.jpg (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/briandavise/media/Bikeshare2_zps0d18bcd0.jpg.html)
5th / Jst (Gas Lamp)

"Mr Robinson" - Jonathan Siegel's new project at Robinson / Park Blvd in Uptown:
http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah315/briandavise/MrRobinson2_zpsf364c0cb.jpg (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/briandavise/media/MrRobinson2_zpsf364c0cb.jpg.html)

http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah315/briandavise/MrRobinson_zps2252c820.jpg (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/briandavise/media/MrRobinson_zps2252c820.jpg.html)

Broadway and 9th: I'm really liking the base of this building. It is going to help activate what is now a rather dumpy corner of downtown. No word yet on retail at the base?

http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah315/briandavise/Broadwayand9th2_zps3c155a0c.jpg (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/briandavise/media/Broadwayand9th2_zps3c155a0c.jpg.html)

http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah315/briandavise/Broadwayand9th3_zpsd0bf4731.jpg (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/briandavise/media/Broadwayand9th3_zpsd0bf4731.jpg.html)

http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah315/briandavise/Broadwayand9th4_zps881b5100.jpg (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/briandavise/media/Broadwayand9th4_zps881b5100.jpg.html)

Courtyard Marriot on 6th and Sempra Energy in the background:
http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah315/briandavise/CourtyardandSempra_zps9bf8b13a.jpg (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/briandavise/media/CourtyardandSempra_zps9bf8b13a.jpg.html)

http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah315/briandavise/Courtyard_zps35c5b698.jpg (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/briandavise/media/Courtyard_zps35c5b698.jpg.html)
Courtyard is very thin!

Pendry Montage Hotel site at 5th / J in the Gas Lamp (the last parking lot in the Gas Lamp to be developed!
Notice that Pendry, Courtyard Marriott, Sempra Energy, and Pinnacle are all under construction in the picture:
http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah315/briandavise/Pendry_zpse43de73a.jpg (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/briandavise/media/Pendry_zpse43de73a.jpg.html)

http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah315/briandavise/Pinnacle_zps5846a29f.jpg (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/briandavise/media/Pinnacle_zps5846a29f.jpg.html)
Pinnacle off in the distance looming over EV.

That is all for now. Like I mentioned, I'll do my best to get out and snap a few updates for EV and Waterfront soon. All and all, there is a lot of exciting activity around town.

SDCAL
Nov 11, 2014, 9:06 AM
SDCAL: I think we are all a bit disappointed with the height of Sempra but 7th and Market directly behind it almost a sure bet to be taller than 400 feet and the new Hilton going in at 24 floors close by will give a good variety of height to that area. I was really hoping the Sempra building would be mixed use and add a hotel component on top to bring the height up significantly.

I'm confused, where is the Hilton planned for, exactly? I looked at the article and it says NW corner of island and 7th, isn't that where Alta already is?

spoonman
Nov 11, 2014, 4:41 PM
I'm confused, where is the Hilton planned for, exactly? I looked at the article and it says NW corner of island and 7th, isn't that where Alta already is?

There is a warehouse type of building on the corner next to Alta. That will be replaced.

SDCAL
Nov 11, 2014, 6:48 PM
There is a warehouse type of building on the corner next to Alta. That will be replaced.

Ah, OK, thanks.

spoonman
Nov 13, 2014, 5:50 AM
First of 4 new towers in the UTC area. Already excavated huge hole. 270 Ft tall. Corner of Regents and La Jolla Village

http://www.examiner.com/article/open-lot-for-monte-verde-garden-community

http://www.tsmrinc.com/projects/multi-family-housing/monte-verde/

http://www.tsmrinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Dusk-FINAL-363.jpg

HurricaneHugo
Nov 13, 2014, 8:22 AM
Meh.

Should have been taller

staplesla
Nov 13, 2014, 4:35 PM
At the San Diego Downtown Community Planning Committee (DCPC-SD) meeting yesterday it was reported that the Horton Plaza Park will commence construction this month, with work anticipated to be complete in October, 2015.

nezbn22
Nov 13, 2014, 5:50 PM
Thanks for the news about Horton Plaza Park!

Regarding the Navy Broadway Complex, I saw this article with Faulconer commenting on the lawsuit:

http://www.sdbj.com/news/2014/nov/12/defense-industry-group-hears-mayor/

The article is of little-to-no real substance, but it's hard to find any news about that project, so I thought I'd share.

mello
Nov 13, 2014, 6:57 PM
UTC will start looking more like the "Condo Canyon" section of Wilshire rather than Century City. I have pretty much given up hope for a badass secondary skyline in SD County and just really hope the planned towers downtown get going soon. Too many delays for my liking even Blue Sky hasn't begun digging last time I checked.

I am getting more bullish on Navy Broadway though, I don't see why the Mayor doesn't try to become known as "Faulconer the Builder" and really push for more projects claiming the jobs and economic growth card. He still seems to be so timid refusing to take a hard stand against these ridiculous anti building crowd and their lawsuits.

Horton Plaza: You are telling me its going to take a year do to a little hardscaping and put up some small "Snack Shack" type buildings and redo a fountain? Atlanta built its tallest building BOA Plaza in 14 months I just looked it up. China builds 300 miles of MAGLEV in that time LOL. Will there only be 4 guys working on this :shrug:

SDfan
Nov 14, 2014, 12:35 AM
First of 4 new towers in the UTC area. Already excavated huge hole. 270 Ft tall. Corner of Regents and La Jolla Village

http://www.examiner.com/article/open-lot-for-monte-verde-garden-community

http://www.tsmrinc.com/projects/multi-family-housing/monte-verde/

http://www.tsmrinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Dusk-FINAL-363.jpg

Huh, it's not too bad. Considering UTC will never get a tower over 300ft (from what I've read), this is alright. I believe there are going to be other towers on the site that will go up to 24 floors. Not as nice as the 35 story towers they were proposing, but hey, taller than the current tallest (Wells Fargo building).

SDfan
Nov 14, 2014, 12:38 AM
I am getting more bullish on Navy Broadway though, I don't see why the Mayor doesn't try to become known as "Faulconer the Builder" and really push for more projects claiming the jobs and economic growth card. He still seems to be so timid refusing to take a hard stand against these ridiculous anti building crowd and their lawsuits.

LA's current mayor is playing that part, and it isn't working out too well for him. California is full of too many lawyers, too many vague environmental laws, and too many narrow minded folk.

embora
Nov 14, 2014, 2:13 AM
... even Blue Sky hasn't begun digging last time I checked.


After months of no change, I saw some earth moving equipment and people with safety vests, working there yesterday and today.

spoonman
Nov 14, 2014, 3:34 AM
Huh, it's not too bad. Considering UTC will never get a tower over 300ft (from what I've read), this is alright. I believe there are going to be other towers on the site that will go up to 24 floors. Not as nice as the 35 story towers they were proposing, but hey, taller than the current tallest (Wells Fargo building).

If it is 270 ft, it will be about 30% taller than Wells Fargo. I'm just not sure how a 16 story residential building is 270ft. Would be great though to have a new tallest. Hope the other 3 are taller also. Sucks these were almost 43, then 35 stories before being cut down by NIMBYs.

mello
Nov 14, 2014, 3:45 AM
LA's current mayor is playing that part, and it isn't working out too well for him. California is full of too many lawyers, too many vague environmental laws, and too many narrow minded folk.

Can you go more in depth about what Garcetti is trying to do and why it isn't working? Like I said getting projects moving means jobs and more support for small business in the area which everyone seems to want to save.

Yeah how can a 16 floor tower be 270 feet? So there is no way to bring back the proposals of the 34 to 43 floor towers? Those are dead and never to be revived, I thought that battle was a few years ago maybe they can get around it now?

Another hotel about to sprout in Mission Valley, had lunch at Benihana today (free not my choice) and a 5 floor Homewood Suites or something of that ilk is going up right behind it. Wow SD Hotel market is red hot :yes:

spoonman
Nov 14, 2014, 3:59 AM
Click here to see NIMBY's gone wild. They think 60ft buildings are "towers". Do they live in the same SD I do?

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2014/nov/13/stringers-bay-park-trolley-station-height-limits/#comments

kpexpress
Nov 14, 2014, 7:59 AM
At the San Diego Downtown Community Planning Committee (DCPC-SD) meeting yesterday it was reported that the Horton Plaza Park will commence construction this month, with work anticipated to be complete in October, 2015.

were you at the DCPC meeting last night?

dtell04
Nov 14, 2014, 6:24 PM
Click here to see NIMBY's gone wild. They think 60ft buildings are "towers". Do they live in the same SD I do?

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2014/nov/13/stringers-bay-park-trolley-station-height-limits/#comments

I could only make it through about 6 comments. These people basically said: I got mine, fuck anyone else. I don't think they have any clue why housing is so expensive in SD.

Northparkwizard
Nov 14, 2014, 7:07 PM
So Ron Roberts just tweeted this, "Looking forward to talking urban cable car transit today with James Haughey's @SDSU Senior Design Class."
http://i.imgur.com/iLyK4GG.jpg

tyleraf
Nov 14, 2014, 9:00 PM
I'm glad to see UTC becoming more dense. Also, I'd love to see Faulconer become more aggressive with development. San Diego is one of the few major cities not going through a huge boom and that needs to change.

nezbn22
Nov 14, 2014, 9:20 PM
So Ron Roberts just tweeted this, "Looking forward to talking urban cable car transit today with James Haughey's @SDSU Senior Design Class."
http://i.imgur.com/iLyK4GG.jpg

While fun to fantasize about, projects like the aerial cable cars and the bike/pedestrian tube under the Coronado Bridge are soooo far from anything close to real possibilities.

I like Ron Roberts, but this is the perfect example of a termed out politician taking one last hail mary swing for the fence. He got the Waterfront Park done after years of fighting, though, so he's allowed one last whopper in my book.

I'm pretty sure I saw this idea floated somewhere, but I'd love to see someone go after an elevated walkway around downtown (copying New York's new High Line). You could slap it right on top of the trolley line running east on C St. from One American Plaza to City College and then down Park Blvd to the library/Petco/transit center.

The only obstacle I see is the old County courthouse that spans C St. between Union and Front. But that's scheduled for demolition once the new courthouse is built. It would create a mostly uninterrupted pedestrian loop around downtown if you combine it with the waterfront.

That's my swing for the fences fantasy project... :notacrook:

spoonman
Nov 14, 2014, 9:28 PM
I would rather see Ron Roberts do something about the Chargers stadium than good around with a carnival ride for downtown. I think this is a fun idea, but there are more pressing matters. Also, this should not be called "transit".

staplesla
Nov 14, 2014, 9:41 PM
were you at the DCPC meeting last night?

No my friend was, he's the one who shared the info with me.

SDfan
Nov 15, 2014, 4:49 PM
Can you go more in depth about what Garcetti is trying to do and why it isn't working? Like I said getting projects moving means jobs and more support for small business in the area which everyone seems to want to save.

First, his position:
http://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/la-fi-garcetti-build-100k-new-units-20141029-story.html

Second, the reality he faces:
http://articles.latimes.com/2013/dec/11/local/la-me-hollywood-plan-20131212

http://www.latimes.com/local/cityhall/la-me-hollywood-target-20140821-story.html

http://www.latimes.com/local/cityhall/la-me-hollywood-development-20141018-story.html#page=1

It's the latest of several setbacks for the city as it seeks to remake Hollywood with a series of big developments. Two months ago, a judge halted construction of a 74-foot-tall Target shopping center on Sunset Boulevard, saying the city had improperly allowed the project to exceed a 35-foot height limit.

Another judge forced the City Council to rescind a controversial 2012 plan allowing for taller buildings near transit stops in Hollywood, concluding the council had relied on out-of-date population data.

Community groups also are waging a legal fight that has slowed the planned Millennium project, a pair of 35- and 39-story skyscrapers. Opponents contend an earthquake fault runs beneath the site and construction is on hold until the case is resolved.

Attorney Robert P. Silverstein, who represented the activists in all four legal battles, said Hollywood's aging infrastructure cannot handle the "densification" Garcetti is planning. Neighborhood groups who are suing, he said, simply want the city to follow the law

:shrug:

There are more cases in LA like these, which makes me realize how lucky we are compared to places like Hollywood or Santa Monica.

SDfan
Nov 15, 2014, 4:53 PM
If it is 270 ft, it will be about 30% taller than Wells Fargo. I'm just not sure how a 16 story residential building is 270ft. Would be great though to have a new tallest. Hope the other 3 are taller also. Sucks these were almost 43, then 35 stories before being cut down by NIMBYs.

That height has to be wrong on the website, I'm sure it's below 200' by just looking at the rendering. I'm thinking the tallest structure will be 270' and they are mixing their height stats up with this rendering.

SDfan
Nov 15, 2014, 4:58 PM
Yeah how can a 16 floor tower be 270 feet? So there is no way to bring back the proposals of the 34 to 43 floor towers? Those are dead and never to be revived, I thought that battle was a few years ago maybe they can get around it now?

The original proposal is long dead (like 2008 dead). I actually believe the developer proposed the bigger (scarier) development as a ploy to force the University City Planning Group to settle for a "smaller" project that had been the developers original goal.

I say 40 stories, you say 20 stories, I "concede" and we agree for 25 instead. Oh well! Looks like you all got me... (*runs to the bank*) :rolleyes:

Not to say I don't like it when developers have to pull this tactic, but it sucks they have to maneuver in these ways to get things done.

SDfan
Nov 15, 2014, 5:03 PM
So Ron Roberts just tweeted this, "Looking forward to talking urban cable car transit today with James Haughey's @SDSU Senior Design Class."
http://i.imgur.com/iLyK4GG.jpg

I'm laughing if Ron Roberts thinks this is going to not only be built, but built quickly. It took them how many decades to build those parks at the admin building?

Lolololololololz. 2050, at the earliest!

SDCAL
Nov 15, 2014, 8:53 PM
I would rather see Ron Roberts do something about the Chargers stadium than good around with a carnival ride for downtown. I think this is a fun idea, but there are more pressing matters. Also, this should not be called "transit".

I agree with you, minus the part about the Charger's stadium. Even IF this was something that could realistically be built, I don't think it should be. It's stupid. We are a city in desperate need of better reliable mass transit, and our public officials are floating around, as you aptly call it, "a carniaval ride".

SD does need local officials to think big, but the big thinking needs to be more along the lines of underground transit and putting light rail up Park Blvd to finally connect downtown to balboa park to mid-city with rail.

The last thing we need is a glorified ski-lift swirling around downtown. Even those renderings look comical. I don't mean to sound so negative, because Roberts is at least "thinking big" which I agree we need more politicians to do, but this idea just seems like the last thing we should be pushing for. There are so many other big things we need.

rocksteady
Nov 16, 2014, 3:12 AM
While fun to fantasize about, projects like the aerial cable cars and the bike/pedestrian tube under the Coronado Bridge are soooo far from anything close to real possibilities.

I like Ron Roberts, but this is the perfect example of a termed out politician taking one last hail mary swing for the fence. He got the Waterfront Park done after years of fighting, though, so he's allowed one last whopper in my book.

I'm pretty sure I saw this idea floated somewhere, but I'd love to see someone go after an elevated walkway around downtown (copying New York's new High Line). You could slap it right on top of the trolley line running east on C St. from One American Plaza to City College and then down Park Blvd to the library/Petco/transit center.

The only obstacle I see is the old County courthouse that spans C St. between Union and Front. But that's scheduled for demolition once the new courthouse is built. It would create a mostly uninterrupted pedestrian loop around downtown if you combine it with the waterfront.

That's my swing for the fences fantasy project... :notacrook: I'd be for this if it were a privately funded venture and viewed as a project intended for tourism rather than looked at as an alternative mode of transportation that the city wastes its own time and money on. lol And if they wanted this to look like a cool, modern way of getting around town they could have at least used pods that don't look like leftovers from the People Mover at Disneyland.

nezbn22
Nov 17, 2014, 4:52 PM
On Saturday, I walked over to the grand opening of Phase I of the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan. It was a fun little event, but nothing to write home about. They aren't even really finished with it. They still need to knock down the dingy Bayside Cafe and install Carnitas Snack Shack. It's a very clear upgrade over what it replaced, but I thought the celebratory "completion" was a bit premature.

Also of note - I noticed a semi-permanent fence erected on the east side of Bosa's Pacific and Broadway lot. By "semi-permanent", I mean the poles are cemented into the ground, but it's still a chain-link fence with a covering over it (like something that would surround a construction site). Maybe they're getting ready to build?????

bushman61988
Nov 17, 2014, 6:40 PM
I could only make it through about 6 comments. These people basically said: I got mine, fuck anyone else. I don't think they have any clue why housing is so expensive in SD.

This is almost verbatim what Environmental Attorney Marco Gonzalez said at the SD Housing Federation Conference last month: http://voiceofsandiego.org/2014/10/20/marco-gonzalez-calls-bullshit-on-dense-development-objectors/?hubRefSrc=permalink#lf-content=98091076:228962372

aerogt3
Nov 18, 2014, 9:54 AM
I could only make it through about 6 comments. These people basically said: I got mine, fuck anyone else. I don't think they have any clue why housing is so expensive in CALIFORNIA.

FTFY. And by the way, these people exist everywhere. The difference is that in California they have loads of state environmental laws to hide behind and the coastal commission to help them block projects.

travis bickle
Nov 19, 2014, 1:16 AM
Not a skyscraper story, but development related. I've seen some posts regarding the bureaucracy and how it makes building housing more difficult.

Here's a story that may interest some of you.

We just canceled a purchase on a project in Imperial Beach on SR-75.

Beautiful mixed-use by one of San Diego's leading architectural firms. 49 for sale units - 5600sf retail. Mix of 2/2.5 - 1/1.5 and lofts. Large units; very affordably priced with the 2bd units pro forma'd at $450k.

Project meets all local zoning regulations and in fact, the city loves it and had suggested a quick approval process of about 4 months remaining to permits (architects have been working with City over a year on this).

At present, site is vacant having been demo'ed in 2010 by owner. Here's where it gets interesting...

Site for 30 years was a flop-house motel that charged by the hour. Owner let it fall into disrepair and closed it in 2006 (last TOT records we could find). After it was closed, it became a haven for the homeless who moved in en masse. They absolutely trashed the place, eventually even using the inoperable toilets as fire places and stoves.

It was an absolute disaster for nearly four years. The city was constantly citing the owner and the Sherriff's Department was out there daily, often many times a day as the site deteriorated and became a magnet for everything ill associated with urban blight.

In response, owner bulldozed it in 2010, graded the land and the site has been empty since.

This project was everything the town wanted and needed.

Then the Coastal Commission became involved... Mind you, we had of course kept the CC informed of our plans the entire time. Staff had mentioned that there was a minor issue with the previous use, but that it shouldn't be critical and certainly not lethal. While the site is just outside of the Coastal Zone and the Commission has no legal jurisdiction, what is DOES have is the power to appeal the city's approval.

In our last meeting with the City, staff informed us that the Coastal Commission was no longer being so agreeable. Apparently, because the site used to be a motel, it had fulfilled one of the Commission's high priorities, that being low cost beach access. Never mind that the site is not on nor near any beach. It is on the inland side on SR-75, near a donut shop.

Remember, this was the proverbial flea-bag, Crack Ho Inn, but because housing near the coast is not a Commission priority, and "low-cost access" is, they found that by developing this badly needed housing in Imperial Beach, we were actually damaging the ability for low-income people to enjoy the coast.

Sooooo... if we wanted to proceed with their blessing, we were going to have to convert 24 of the for-sale units (same as number of rooms in old motel) into a low-cost hotel. They wouldn't even be satisfied with paying the in-lieu fee of about $30k/unit since most developers had chosen that route for other sites before and because of the restrictions on use if you tap that funding source (like any agreement is for... PERPETUITY), they had plenty of "in-lieu" money in the bank and didn't want to add anymore. Didn't matter really as that kind of hit killed the deal anyway, but it wasn't even an option.

This last-minute demand killed the deal. Absolutely.

Remember, the Coastal Commission didn't actually have any jurisdiction over the site. The city had the final say and very much wanted the project to move forward. But the Commission can appeal. And they told us, discretely, that after their review during the City's comment period, they most certainly WOULD appeal and that they would drag out the process for at least two more years.

Money can't wait two additional years...

So we canceled our PSA and the project is officially dead.

Your tax dollars at work! :)

Derek
Nov 19, 2014, 3:06 AM
Why can't anybody tell the Coastal Commission to just shut the f*** up? Why do people feel obligated to appeal to them, despite the fact that they had no jurisdiction? What's in it for the City of Imperial Beach to cave in to such ludicrous demands?

aerogt3
Nov 19, 2014, 4:25 PM
What a load of complete madness. Have you guys gone to any news outlets with this? And Derek, it sounds like Imperial Beach caving in wasn't the issue, but rather the coastal commission being able to delay things by 2 years.

spoonman
Nov 19, 2014, 5:14 PM
Manchester would have a field day with this...unless he is intimidated also.

mello
Nov 19, 2014, 6:13 PM
Travis your story infuriates me :hell: Have you guys considered going to the media with this story? It sounds like the premise of "low cost coastal access" is similar to what is delaying Sunroad from moving forward with its huge hotel project on Harbor Island.

Faulconer and Jerry Brown talk about jobs, well how many jobs have the Coastal Commission held up with instances similar to what Travis just laid out? I'm sure the mayor of Imperial Beach has lambasted the CC and tried to get in touch with Jerry Browns office.

I spent a decent amount of time in IB this year and it was growing on me and I could see the potential. Projects of this nature is exactly what that city needs to start to bring in more professional mid income people. There is almost nothing modern with quality architecture in IB and this sounded so awesome. When people in a community see solid structures being built in their area it gives them a sense of self worth and they think "Ok someone cares about IB and is willing to invest here". Something must be done about this.

ElDuderino
Nov 20, 2014, 12:07 AM
My pictures 11/19

Pendry Hotel

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i181/msmatisek/20141119_134231_zps6d697aa2.jpg (http://s72.photobucket.com/user/msmatisek/media/20141119_134231_zps6d697aa2.jpg.html)

Courtyard Marriott

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i181/msmatisek/20141119_134259_zpsc760646f.jpg (http://s72.photobucket.com/user/msmatisek/media/20141119_134259_zpsc760646f.jpg.html)

Courtyard Marriott with Sempra Energy tower

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i181/msmatisek/20141119_134319_zps6bc6d9fb.jpg (http://s72.photobucket.com/user/msmatisek/media/20141119_134319_zps6bc6d9fb.jpg.html)

Sempra Energy tower. Cladding looks nice in person

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i181/msmatisek/20141119_135349_zps59c78dab.jpg (http://s72.photobucket.com/user/msmatisek/media/20141119_135349_zps59c78dab.jpg.html)

HurricaneHugo
Nov 20, 2014, 6:06 AM
I'm assuming it's topped out :(

SDCAL
Nov 20, 2014, 7:23 AM
I'm assuming it's topped out :(

It is. I remember the previous plans for cosmopolitan square that would have been much nicer imo. The height of sempra is really pathetic. In a positive note I think it will be nice at ground level with the glass facade and will bring much needed diversity with office space, but yeah - it's a pretty stubby building.

aerogt3
Nov 20, 2014, 9:30 AM
I spent a decent amount of time in IB this year and it was growing on me and I could see the potential. Projects of this nature is exactly what that city needs to start to bring in more professional mid income people. There is almost nothing modern with quality architecture in IB and this sounded so awesome. When people in a community see solid structures being built in their area it gives them a sense of self worth and they think "Ok someone cares about IB and is willing to invest here". Something must be done about this.

+1, the reality is that there WASN'T any low cost beach access provided by the hotel because..... IT HAD BEEN BULLDOZED. So the project would have had literally zero impact on low cost beach access. It's the coastal commission just abusing power, and they do this WAY too much. They need to be restructured or disbanded entirely.

tyleraf
Nov 20, 2014, 12:17 PM
Thanks for the photo update. The cladding on Sempra looks nice. I'm glad to see that section of EV/Gaslamp filling in nicely with all of the projects in the area.

aerogt3
Nov 20, 2014, 12:46 PM
The first development in the budding Makers Quarter of downtown's East Village received the go-ahead Wednesday from the Civic San Diego board.

The 269-apartment, seven-story project, Broadstone Makers Quarter, will likely start construction sometime next year for completion in 2017. It will be located on a 50,000-square-foot site, bounded by Broadway and 16th, 17th and E streets. Developer Jonas Bronk, representing Alliance Realty Partners, estimated the cost at about $60 million.

The 85-foot-tall building will occupy the first of several blocks owned by the Jerome's Furniture Navarra family included in Makers Quarter. That's a section of the so-called I.D.E.A. District south of City College where promoters hope to attract high-tech companies that would employ people living in a self-contained live-work-play district. The initials stand for innovation, design, education and art.

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/nov/19/makers-quarter-apartments-broadstone/

nezbn22
Nov 20, 2014, 6:42 PM
Also announced on the UT website - the Bayside Fire Station:

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/nov/20/fire-station-bayside-little-italy/

staplesla
Nov 21, 2014, 1:41 AM
What if Mission Valley had a “main street” — a pedestrian-oriented esplanade with wide sidewalks, bike paths and a streetcar down the middle?

What if parking lots were filled in with multi-story, mixed-use urban villages?

What if the vast asphalt expanse currently known as the Qualcomm Stadium parking lot were reimagined as a broad riverfront park and entertainment complex?

More here: http://www.missionvalleynews.com/imagining-the-mission-valley-of-the-future/


http://www.missionvalleynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/front-page-59web.jpg

nezbn22
Nov 21, 2014, 4:31 PM
Last night, I spoke with someone who has knowledge of the North Embarcadero plans, and he said the old Bayside Cafe is scheduled to be dismantled and scrapped as soon as January. He also said that they have determined that the cafe's foundation is sound, so they're going to keep it as part of the boardwalk as a viewing deck of sorts (for those of you who aren't familiar, the cafe hangs out over the water, so they're keeping the platform that juts out).

nezbn22
Nov 21, 2014, 4:43 PM
Stella Public House opening in EV:

http://www.sandiegomagazine.com/Blogs/SD-Food-News/Fall-2014/FIRST-LOOK-Stella-Public-House/

spoonman
Nov 21, 2014, 5:33 PM
What if Mission Valley had a “main street” — a pedestrian-oriented esplanade with wide sidewalks, bike paths and a streetcar down the middle?

What if parking lots were filled in with multi-story, mixed-use urban villages?

What if the vast asphalt expanse currently known as the Qualcomm Stadium parking lot were reimagined as a broad riverfront park and entertainment complex?

More here: http://www.missionvalleynews.com/imagining-the-mission-valley-of-the-future/


http://www.missionvalleynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/front-page-59web.jpg

This is a nice concept, but it appears to have many flaws. For instance, all of the buildings are a far walk from the station. I would have expected more from a team of designers. To me this looks auto oriented with curvy circuituitous streets.

SDCAL
Nov 21, 2014, 6:19 PM
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/nov/19/makers-quarter-apartments-broadstone/

Is this going to be built before IDEA1? It says groundbreaking next yr, anyone know if IDEA1 is still on track for gb next year?

Northparkwizard
Nov 21, 2014, 9:36 PM
So the blue line extension got approved and here I was thinking glaciers moved slowly. http://www.sandiego6.com/news/local/San-Diego-Trolleys-Blue-Line-approved-for-extension-283522031.html

mello
Nov 22, 2014, 5:21 AM
Speaking of a "Mission" that needs a revamp and main street feel is Mission Blvd in Pacific Beach. Just got back from there and god is it awful. whats with the stand alone Burger King, Dennys, other fast food joints, funky Motels, and the terrible Beach Cottage and Surf Rider hotels. This is the center of San Diego's beach scene and it is an embarrassing hodge podge of 60's crap that looks like it should be in Corpus Cristi. Has anyone ever heard of a plan to turn Mission Blvd around?

Leo the Dog
Nov 22, 2014, 8:13 PM
Speaking of a "Mission" that needs a revamp and main street feel is Mission Blvd in Pacific Beach. Just got back from there and god is it awful. whats with the stand alone Burger King, Dennys, other fast food joints, funky Motels, and the terrible Beach Cottage and Surf Rider hotels. This is the center of San Diego's beach scene and it is an embarrassing hodge podge of 60's crap that looks like it should be in Corpus Cristi. Has anyone ever heard of a plan to turn Mission Blvd around?

I like the old Mission Bay Motel. That could be preserved and turned into a trendy mid century place. It's got potential and history of time long gone.

SDfan
Nov 22, 2014, 8:52 PM
Speaking of a "Mission" that needs a revamp and main street feel is Mission Blvd in Pacific Beach. Just got back from there and god is it awful. whats with the stand alone Burger King, Dennys, other fast food joints, funky Motels, and the terrible Beach Cottage and Surf Rider hotels. This is the center of San Diego's beach scene and it is an embarrassing hodge podge of 60's crap that looks like it should be in Corpus Cristi. Has anyone ever heard of a plan to turn Mission Blvd around?

Unfortunately this is what the people asked to preserve when they put into place the zoning ordinances and regulations in the 1970's. It's not going to change much in a meaningful way unless there is a serious overhaul of what's allowed in the coastal zone. Maybe some paint? Eh.

mello
Nov 22, 2014, 9:41 PM
Leo: Ok fine redo the Mission Bay motel a al Pearl in Point Loma, but what do you have to say about all of the other things? How can stand alone fast food places with parking lots be a smart use of such prime land?

Sdfan: What about doing underground parking with 3 floors of residential on top? Still within the lame coastal height limit but will help the look and feel of the area. I don't think people voted to preserve Burger King, and what used to be Taco Bell behind it don't even know what the hell it is. Doesn't the council member from that area have a clue :shrug:

SDfan
Nov 22, 2014, 10:12 PM
Leo: Ok fine redo the Mission Bay motel a al Pearl in Point Loma, but what do you have to say about all of the other things? How can stand alone fast food places with parking lots be a smart use of such prime land?

Sdfan: What about doing underground parking with 3 floors of residential on top? Still within the lame coastal height limit but will help the look and feel of the area. I don't think people voted to preserve Burger King, and what used to be Taco Bell behind it don't even know what the hell it is. Doesn't the council member from that area have a clue :shrug:

Well, District 2 (the beach communities) voted for Donna Frye (D) twice, and she opposed nearly every infill development because they threatened "community character." They currently have Ed Harris (D) who, even in his temporary position, has been ardently anti-development and NIMBY sympathetic. Due to the council redistricting, Lori Zapf (R) is going to be taking over the district and she has already proven a willingness to cede power to NIMBY forces when she turned against SANDAG and the City Planning Department when they proposed increasing densities in Bay Park and Clairemont (remember the Red Balloon rally?). During her election against Sarah Boot (D), Zapf was attacked for being pro-development, and she quickly shed that image in favor of an anti-growth stance.

The coastal areas are always going to be very anti-development. The reason why we have a lot of the regulations and ordinances we do are because of community activists from coastal areas who saw anything different from what existed in 1960 as a threat to their neighborhoods. It sucks, but it is what it is.

Bertrice
Nov 22, 2014, 10:46 PM
Well, District 2 (the beach communities) voted for Donna Frye (D) twice, and she opposed nearly every infill development because they threatened "community character." They currently have Ed Harris (D) who, even in his temporary position, has been ardently anti-development and NIMBY sympathetic. Due to the council redistricting, Lori Zapf (R) is going to be taking over the district and she has already proven a willingness to cede power to NIMBY forces when she turned against SANDAG and the City Planning Department when they proposed increasing densities in Bay Park and Clairemont (remember the Red Balloon rally?). During her election against Sarah Boot (D), Zapf was attacked for being pro-development, and she quickly shed that image in favor of an anti-growth stance.

The coastal areas are always going to be very anti-development. The reason why we have a lot of the regulations and ordinances we do are because of community activists from coastal areas who saw anything different from what existed in 1960 as a threat to their neighborhoods. It sucks, but it is what it is.

And yet some of the beach is walled off by some of these older buildings. Maybe that's what scared everyone into height limits.
I posted this like 2 years ago. A pb planning group started a smaller offshoot called Beautiful PB. I don't know if they have any traction. They had a booth at beachfest. Not sure if this group includes nimby Scott Chipman

http://beautifulpb.com/projects/pb-parks/

spoonman
Nov 22, 2014, 11:18 PM
Nice shot of 15th & Island posed by JCamilo79 on Skyscrapercity

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=431731&page=61

http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/zz144/Duncan79/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-11-09-15-18-15_deco_zpsisumtbua.jpg

SDfan
Nov 22, 2014, 11:57 PM
Here is the view from Sherman Heights:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c24/SDfan12/Public/c0ab3375-0351-4291-9a4d-27f624f0d49c.jpg (http://s24.photobucket.com/user/SDfan12/media/Public/c0ab3375-0351-4291-9a4d-27f624f0d49c.jpg.html)

I think it has 5-6 stories left. :D

SDfan
Nov 22, 2014, 11:58 PM
PS, I was driving around Logan Heights and 15th and Island has some nice angles from out there. It is really going to expand the skyline outwards view-wise.

SDfan
Nov 23, 2014, 12:00 AM
And yet some of the beach is walled off by some of these older buildings. Maybe that's what scared everyone into height limits.
I posted this like 2 years ago. A pb planning group started a smaller offshoot called Beautiful PB. I don't know if they have any traction. They had a booth at beachfest. Not sure if this group includes nimby Scott Chipman

http://beautifulpb.com/projects/pb-parks/

Nice. They look mostly infrastructure-based. The day I see someone or some group advocating for 4-6 story buildings along the coast is the day I jump for joy (or can expect the apocalypse).

Leo the Dog
Nov 24, 2014, 12:16 AM
Leo: Ok fine redo the Mission Bay motel a al Pearl in Point Loma, but what do you have to say about all of the other things? How can stand alone fast food places with parking lots be a smart use of such prime land?

Sdfan: What about doing underground parking with 3 floors of residential on top? Still within the lame coastal height limit but will help the look and feel of the area. I don't think people voted to preserve Burger King, and what used to be Taco Bell behind it don't even know what the hell it is. Doesn't the council member from that area have a clue :shrug:

Mello,
I'm definitely with you on this. The beach areas have become ratty. An unintended consequence of preserving the character of the community is that the housing stock has aged and cheap renters with many roommates have taken over. PB has become a high density student housing district. I would argue that the NIMBYs have created a much bigger mess in PB.

HurricaneHugo
Nov 24, 2014, 2:17 AM
Here is the view from Sherman Heights:


I think it has 5-6 stories left. :D

Why are you supporting that Wal-Mart!

jk

SDfan
Nov 24, 2014, 6:06 AM
Why are you supporting that Wal-Mart!

jk

For the same reasons I'm going to love shopping at the new Target in South Park.

:tup:

Puzzlecraft
Nov 24, 2014, 7:31 PM
Groundbreaking this December 1(didn't see this posted here).

Date Street between Columba and India to be turned into the plaza.

http://www.sdbj.com/news/2014/nov/18/dec-1-groundbreaking-slated-new-little-italy-plaza/

psychotron
Nov 24, 2014, 10:51 PM
Looks great! SD needs more of this! Wonder what the status of those mixed use buildings are in the rendering. As it stands now, that stretch of W Date St is a stark difference, with some duplexes and a parking lot.

psychotron
Nov 24, 2014, 10:57 PM
15th & Island is a beast. Hopefully it'll serve as an anchor and catalyst for development to push further east.

Bertrice
Nov 25, 2014, 1:04 AM
airport car rental center restaurant

http://sandiego.eater.com/2014/11/20/7254897/monumental-new-downtown-space-seeks-restaurant-tenant


https://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DCMXtgujxon1MtWiPgCtkvi0qMM=/828x0:4428x2700/800x600/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44194714/1_2014-10-27_Vu02_Frame02.0.0.jpg

Northparkwizard
Nov 25, 2014, 3:15 AM
Fundraising campaign to assess and restore the historic North Park water tower.

http://sduptownnews.com/north-park-historical-society-nov-21-2014/

spoonman
Nov 25, 2014, 4:56 AM
Looks great! SD needs more of this! Wonder what the status of those mixed use buildings are in the rendering. As it stands now, that stretch of W Date St is a stark difference, with some duplexes and a parking lot.

The 2 buildings in the rendering are supposed to connect via a parking garage under the street. I would think any work on the plaza would have to be done once the excavation and construction of the underground garage has occurred. That said, I'm not sure why it wasn't mentioned in the article.

SDfan
Nov 25, 2014, 5:07 AM
Fundraising campaign to assess and restore the historic North Park water tower.

http://sduptownnews.com/north-park-historical-society-nov-21-2014/

I hope they can find the funding for all the work that needs to be done.

SDfan
Nov 25, 2014, 5:08 AM
Good news?

Appeals court rejects SANDAG transportation plan

A transportation plan for the San Diego region lacks details about how future projects might worsen climate change and air quality — and fails to offer ways to address those problems, a state appeals court ruled Monday.

By a 2-1 vote, a panel of the California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District rejected the environmental analysis for a $200 billion transportation plan prepared by the San Diego Association of Governments, or SANDAG, concluding that it downplayed harmful effects of future transportation projects.

The court found that the transportation blueprint glossed over projections that climate pollutants would increase sharply by 2050. Doing so conflicts with state directives to lower emissions by then, and with a state law that requires agencies to disclose and reduce the environmental risks of proposed projects, the court stated.

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/nov/24/enviornment-san-diego-transportation-environment/

HurricaneHugo
Nov 25, 2014, 10:40 AM
Boo.

aerogt3
Nov 25, 2014, 10:57 AM
Fundraising campaign to assess and restore the historic North Park water tower.

http://sduptownnews.com/north-park-historical-society-nov-21-2014/

1.7 million to restore an unused water tank.... just because its old?

Aren't there transit and park projects that need funding??

EastVillageSD
Nov 25, 2014, 12:28 PM
15th & Island is a beast. Hopefully it'll serve as an anchor and catalyst for development to push further east.
Went to the restaurant on the corner of that project. Halcyon Coffee / Stella Public House. Awesome space! This will do wonders for the neighborhood.

I just hope that they have enough capital to last until the pinnacle project is complete, because there is not that much foot traffic in that part of EVSD yet.

mello
Nov 25, 2014, 7:49 PM
So does this mean that the widening of the 5 will be delayed again? I am all for transit in the densely populated South of 8 neighborhoods but lets face it Coastal North County is not nearly dense enough for transit to work. The 5 does need to be widened and SD county's population is not growing fast enough for it to get clogged up again if it is 7 lanes each way.

If we were still growing at 70's and 80's pace then I would say yes if you widen 5 it will just get jammed again, but it looks like our County is just growing from child births. Temecula might have tons of people moving there but that traffic will obviously mostly fall on the 15.

How do these people expect transit to be implemented in to the low density sprawl areas of SD which are 90% of the metro? They all call for more transit but they also don't want density. With the job centers of our metro spread out over the whole County transit simply will never work here also the geography is a big factor. If 800,000 people worked in downtown then things would be a lot different but there is not one dominant condensed center of jobs here.

bushman61988
Nov 25, 2014, 9:44 PM
If the goal is to reduce congestion on the freeway, then that is most successfully achieved by investing in alternatives (Bus Rapid Transit, the Coaster, the Sprinter, Bike lanes). Studies have proven that simply expanding a freeway even if it's for HOV/Carpool lanes does not reduce congestion in the long run (http://www.vtpi.org/gentraf.pdf, http://bicycleuniverse.info/transpo/roadbuilding-futility.html).

Freeway expansion has shown to not relieve traffic congestion in the long run, but only increase air pollution and greenhouse gases. A University of California at Berkeley study covering thirty California counties between 1973 and 1990 found that for every 10 percent increase in roadway capacity, traffic increased 9 percent with a four years’ time. The research shows that building more roads results in more driving. Adding a freeway lane does not lead to congestion relief because more drivers will rush to fill the space and traffic congestion will soon be at previous levels.

It's true, in order for transit to be successful, you need the density which certain communities like Bay Park oppose, but there's other communities along the Sprinter like San Marcos and Escondido that are embracing density and are building 4-6 story multi-family homes (Ginger Hitzke is a great example of one of those developers). Instead of focusing on expanding the freeways, why not invest that money to make the Sprinter more effective and encouraging ppl to use it?

So does this mean that the widening of the 5 will be delayed again? I am all for transit in the densely populated South of 8 neighborhoods but lets face it Coastal North County is not nearly dense enough for transit to work. The 5 does need to be widened and SD county's population is not growing fast enough for it to get clogged up again if it is 7 lanes each way.

If we were still growing at 70's and 80's pace then I would say yes if you widen 5 it will just get jammed again, but it looks like our County is just growing from child births. Temecula might have tons of people moving there but that traffic will obviously mostly fall on the 15.

How do these people expect transit to be implemented in to the low density sprawl areas of SD which are 90% of the metro? They all call for more transit but they also don't want density. With the job centers of our metro spread out over the whole County transit simply will never work here also the geography is a big factor. If 800,000 people worked in downtown then things would be a lot different but there is not one dominant condensed center of jobs here.

mello
Nov 25, 2014, 11:12 PM
Bushman: I have lived in San Marcos and I'm from Encinitas/Cardiff. I will tell you this, every single time I have been on 5 South stuck in traffic and then pass Via De La Valle the traffic flow starts to move. With out fail literally every time unless there is an accident obviously. Why is this? Because an extra lane is added south of VDLV. Lets be realistic how in the hell is Coastal North County ever going to become a place where transit will even become a remotely close alternative to car travel?

They are anti anything up there, density will never occur. San Diego would literally have to Quadruple or more the percentage of people who work downtown for this to ever happen, how many new office jobs have been created downtown in the last 15 years?

Plus look at the layout of San Diego. In LA or even Phoenix you have a flat linear row of employment centers. Downtown LA all the way down Wilshire to Santa Monica you have office towers. Look at Sorrento Valley and even UTC they are up on a hill completely disconnected from any street grid. To get from downtown to UTC and SV you have to take a freeway!

The way this metro area is laid out makes it extremely hard to properly implement transit. You have canyons, hills, escarpments, lagoons, and military bases chopping everything up. The only hope for the vast majority of SD County is self driving cars. I say widen the 5 and focus on transit in the areas where density is feasible like Mission Valley and La Mesa through Mission Hills and down through the South Bay along the 5.

mello
Nov 25, 2014, 11:14 PM
delete --

bushman61988
Nov 26, 2014, 2:31 AM
Lets be realistic how in the hell is Coastal North County ever going to become a place where transit will even become a remotely close alternative to car travel?
By investing tens of millions more in adding more Class 1 bike lanes, converting one of the general purpose lanes or the left-hand emergency shoulder to HOV/Carpool/Transit, adding more hours/service to the bus routes and sprinter, and making the sprinter more cohesive with the Coaster in terms of schedule.


They are anti anything up there, density will never occur. San Diego would literally have to Quadruple or more the percentage of people who work downtown for this to ever happen, how many new office jobs have been created downtown in the last 15 years?
Density is occurring in San Marcos and areas along the Sprinter. Last year when I took the Sprinter I saw 3-4 different multi-family housing projects under construction. Check this one out: http://dcgengr.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/atcourtyard02small67.jpeg


The way this metro area is laid out makes it extremely hard to properly implement transit. You have canyons, hills, escarpments, lagoons, and military bases chopping everything up. The only hope for the vast majority of SD County is self driving cars. I say widen the 5 and focus on transit in the areas where density is feasible like Mission Valley and La Mesa through Mission Hills and down through the South Bay along the 5.
It's true, topography can pose a challenge to implementing transit, but that's why you focus on areas that are already close to transit and densify in areas like Mission Valley, National City, or Barrio Logan. And speaking of National City, look at these rowhomes in our downtown that are almost complete. They're for sale guys, and National City is a real up-and-coming community, especially with all the recent investments in our Downtown. (PS, the renderings of the surroundings are WAY off as this is a very urban, built-out neighborhood) http://www.kirebuildersinc.com/wp-content/gallery/ap-8onc-ave/Front-Elevation-1.jpg http://www.kirebuildersinc.com/wp-content/gallery/ap-8onc-ave/Front-Perspective-1.jpg

bushman61988
Nov 26, 2014, 2:57 AM
A Louisiana real estate and marketing specialist offered up a new tagline for San Diego: Live outdoors.
“You guys have absolutely no excuse, whatsoever, not to be the most walkable, bikeable city in the United States,” said Nathan Norris, CEO of Downtown Lafayette, a nonprofit which worked on revitalizing downtown Lafayette, La.
Ideal weather and variable landscape could, and should, drive future development decisions, because it’s already affecting lifestyle choices, Norris said.
“What do you have that other people don’t have? You have a beautiful setting with great weather. You can live outdoors the entire year,” said Norris, an attorney, real estate broker and marketing specialist. “You’re lucky your topography and natural environment keeps you from being Atlanta -- you have nature that keeps you somewhat compact in certain areas.”
Norris has been traveling the country talking to Realtor groups, thanks to a National Association of Realtors grant that encourages locals to be more active in deciding how their cities grow.
He discussed "place making" and functional design as key in creating healthy, smart-growth communities.
The Greater San Diego Association of Realtors’ intimate “Smart Growth in the 21st Century” summit — with less than a dozen people attending — allowed for more conversation than presentation throughout the four hours.
Though small, the group was diverse: a Chicago transplant, a man returning from years in Japan, a new Realtor, a lifelong San Diegan and a civil engineer, among others.
“Your downtown is really fascinating to me. It’s so close to being the best downtown in America,” said Norris, previously of the New Mexico-based PlaceMakers.
“And yet everything I see that’s new, it’s like the additions that are coming are just not getting this detail right or that detail right, and that impacts its overall vibrancy in the long haul. You have too [many] suburban design elements still being the default setting downtown.”
From an outsider’s perspective, downtown San Diego could be “so much better” if a few things were changed, based on functional design details.
For instance, allowing windows to be opened in office buildings, such as the one where the summit was held in the complex housing SDAR’s Kearny Mesa Service Center on Ronson Court, he said.
Focusing on traditional neighborhood design, rather than sprawling suburban neighborhoods, was another example, as was allowing for visually stimulating density and development.
The city should build with the goal of vibrancy, such as using chamfered corners instead of 90-degree angles, and create village centers that get cars off freeways, he said. The city should also consider incremental urbanism that allows for staged development.
The demand for large living spaces is also fading here, Norris said.
Ample amenities outside, combined with the mild weather, allow for smaller living environments. Of course, housing options aren’t one size fits all, and a housing type for each buyer may last about 10 years, and then alter due to life situations, he said.
A variety of housing styles in one neighborhood, such as the traditional neighborhood design of The Waters in Montgomery, Ala., which he worked on, allows for diverse areas with a range of housing opportunities and choices.
Norris also praised the City of Villages method as a way to accommodate growth, with strong village centers connected by transit lines.
Naysayers might not understand the full potential of such a plan, he said.
“If someone is objecting [to] density, they’re objecting [to] poorly designed density,” Norris said. “They haven’t seen good density.”
Transit and density go hand in hand, allowing affordability and sustainability. Norris recommends first planning where high-density zones would be, to support certain types of transit.
Graphic-based codes also help simplify zoning descriptions and make for better understanding among developers, city officials and residents.
The country is now facing a new “perfect storm” for a great migration, as the Millennial generation — ages 18 to 34 — drives radical changes in buyer preferences, Norris said.
Factors include declining quality of suburbs, an aging population that wants to use transit as they lose their ability to drive and smaller households with more women in the workforce.
“We don’t need to keep building the way we did,” Norris said.
Convenience and vibrancy are key to making downtown urban settings work.
Downtowns should look to the traditional mall for an example as to how to design effectively around human behavior: Glass storefronts keep shoppers engaged, wide walkways allow ease of use, and signs and lighting are also placed in appropriate sizes and spaces.
“Nothing is by accident,” Norris said.
http://www.sddt.com/RealEstate/article.cfm?SourceCode=20141121czd&utm_medium=email&utm_source=BuildingBriefs&utm_campaign=2014-11-25&_t=Real+estate+expert+says+SD+should+be+more+walkable#Article

I just subscribed to Daily Transcript and even though it's pricey, it's totally worth it for stories like this and I encourage you all to get it too.

Anyway, I really wish I could've been there to hear this guy, because he's totally right about us taking for granted our perfect weather, and we really should be the most bikeable, walkable region in the country. We also don't embrace the climate in our design features and should.

Here's also some info on him: http://www.newurbanguild.com/about-us/members/norris-nathan.html

S.DviaPhilly
Dec 1, 2014, 10:11 PM
I spent Friday am, walking around East Village and took some pics of the construction in the area...

15th and Island...
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e338/Spiewak/IMG_0164_zpse36270ea.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Spiewak/media/IMG_0164_zpse36270ea.jpg.html)
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e338/Spiewak/IMG_0165_zps4f73b4af.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Spiewak/media/IMG_0165_zps4f73b4af.jpg.html)
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e338/Spiewak/IMG_0187_zpsde61e7f8.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Spiewak/media/IMG_0187_zpsde61e7f8.jpg.html)
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e338/Spiewak/IMG_0181_zps15a3ce34.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Spiewak/media/IMG_0181_zps15a3ce34.jpg.html)
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e338/Spiewak/IMG_0185_zpsfb618326.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Spiewak/media/IMG_0185_zpsfb618326.jpg.html)
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e338/Spiewak/IMG_0184_zps7f5c50ca.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Spiewak/media/IMG_0184_zps7f5c50ca.jpg.html)
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e338/Spiewak/IMG_0183_zps363eab35.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Spiewak/media/IMG_0183_zps363eab35.jpg.html)
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e338/Spiewak/IMG_0176_zps7d26ae86.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Spiewak/media/IMG_0176_zps7d26ae86.jpg.html)
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e338/Spiewak/IMG_0177_zpsb4d37c42.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Spiewak/media/IMG_0177_zpsb4d37c42.jpg.html)
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e338/Spiewak/IMG_0178_zps7fb818cc.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Spiewak/media/IMG_0178_zps7fb818cc.jpg.html)

688 Lofts (13th in between Market and G.)
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e338/Spiewak/IMG_0190_zpsb3976989.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Spiewak/media/IMG_0190_zpsb3976989.jpg.html)
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e338/Spiewak/IMG_0191_zpsdd5bfc6b.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Spiewak/media/IMG_0191_zpsdd5bfc6b.jpg.html)

Alpha Square (South side of Market between 13th and 14th)
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e338/Spiewak/IMG_0189_zpsa8921648.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Spiewak/media/IMG_0189_zpsa8921648.jpg.html)

Quartyard Dog Park (North side of Market between 11th and Park)
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e338/Spiewak/IMG_0192_zps1ed75240.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Spiewak/media/IMG_0192_zps1ed75240.jpg.html)

Urbana (10th between Island and J St.)
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e338/Spiewak/IMG_0193_zps9ee5825d.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Spiewak/media/IMG_0193_zps9ee5825d.jpg.html)

15th and Market (Complete and open for leasing)
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e338/Spiewak/IMG_0188_zpsb5818e3b.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Spiewak/media/IMG_0188_zpsb5818e3b.jpg.html)

Courtyard Marriott on 6th (between Island Ave. and J St.)
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e338/Spiewak/IMG_0204_zps61da7b3e.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Spiewak/media/IMG_0204_zps61da7b3e.jpg.html)

Pendry Hotel (J St. between 5th and 6th)
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e338/Spiewak/IMG_0205_zps77d57bd2.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Spiewak/media/IMG_0205_zps77d57bd2.jpg.html)

Sempra Energy HQ's (7th/8th/Island/J St.)
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e338/Spiewak/IMG_0195_zps670afa2e.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Spiewak/media/IMG_0195_zps670afa2e.jpg.html)
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e338/Spiewak/IMG_0201_zpsaca16974.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Spiewak/media/IMG_0201_zpsaca16974.jpg.html)
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e338/Spiewak/IMG_0203_zpsfc0bdbb0.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Spiewak/media/IMG_0203_zpsfc0bdbb0.jpg.html)
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e338/Spiewak/IMG_0202_zps388dae35.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Spiewak/media/IMG_0202_zps388dae35.jpg.html)
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e338/Spiewak/IMG_0206_zpse9667029.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/Spiewak/media/IMG_0206_zpse9667029.jpg.html)

Urbanize_It
Dec 2, 2014, 12:33 AM
A wooden construction fence is being built around Bosa's Pacific and Broadway lot. Hopefully this means he is about to break ground!

Urbanize_It
Dec 2, 2014, 7:50 PM
http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h443/MDUNCAN10/20141202_111928.jpg
http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h443/MDUNCAN10/20141202_112013.jpg
http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h443/MDUNCAN10/20141202_112110.jpg
http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h443/MDUNCAN10/20141202_112137.jpg

:)

Urbanize_It
Dec 2, 2014, 7:57 PM
http://sandiego.urbdezine.com/files/2012/05/rendering-3.jpg (http://skyscraperpage.com/)
http://sandiego.urbdezine.com/files/2012/05/rendering-1.jpg (http://skyscraperpage.com/)

Yackemflaber69
Dec 3, 2014, 12:37 AM
is it going to start construction soon?

embora
Dec 3, 2014, 2:16 AM
Do any of you know what this one will be named, assuming the name has been chosen?

I seem to recall the developer saying they would put it to the public as to what the project should be named.

mello
Dec 3, 2014, 3:56 AM
In that first rendering from Urbanizeit the tower doesn't look very tall. I'm hoping that it has higher ceilings than normal because at 41 floors it will basically be as tall as the Grande towers.

Hopefully we will be seeing the proposals for 7th and Market soon. I also read that the city owns the lot where the RadLab park is going to be and they have been trying to get proposals from developers. That seems like a prime lot what is the hold up?

tyleraf
Dec 3, 2014, 4:13 AM
Mello: Here is the info regarding Park and Market. IDEA District is one of the finalists.
Also, Pacific Highway and Broadway is supposed to be around 450 feet. The name will be decided by a naming contest. http://www.ideadistrictsd.com/park-and-market/

mello
Dec 3, 2014, 5:50 AM
^^ As long as Park and Market is a tall tower I'm cool with it. I don't want to see another short long structure like IDEA1. We can't continue to take up prime land with midrises. I see one of the proposals is from a company in Vancouver so I expect that to be a tall one.

Leo the Dog
Dec 3, 2014, 5:57 PM
It's a great looking tower. I wish they'd front the street to the north side corners though.

SDCAL
Dec 3, 2014, 7:42 PM
^^ As long as Park and Market is a tall tower I'm cool with it. I don't want to see another short long structure like IDEA1. We can't continue to take up prime land with midrises. I see one of the proposals is from a company in Vancouver so I expect that to be a tall one.

I'm surprised IDEA Partners are bidding on more developments when their first one (IDEA1) hasn't even broken ground yet. It's taken a very long time for them to break ground, but I guess if they are bidding on other things this means they are pretty stable, have more resources than I thought and IDEA1 is going to break ground very soon??

tyleraf
Dec 3, 2014, 7:44 PM
IDEA1 will break ground Q1 2015 from according to the IDEA district website. Also, I emailed David Malmuth, one of the developers of the project, who said the same thing.

mello
Dec 3, 2014, 11:03 PM
I wanted to get the fellow SD forumers opinion on the prospects for growth in San Diego tech with regards to "Near Shoring". I did a google search for - San Diego near shoring jobs to Tijuana - and you get articles by Huff Post, Al Jazeera, all kinds of stuff talking about how companies can set up here and then utilize cheap talent and production in TJ.

There was a big conference about this called Innovadora something in October with a big write up in the UT. Do you guys think this is all hype or could we really have something special going here? I was thinking about maybe doing consulting to get companies to come here but I don't know how realistic it is. It seems like a great sell instead of dealing with China or Southeast Asia and all the headaches of offshoring, come to SD live a great lifestyle and near shore 15 - 25 miles from where you live (easy access with SENTRI and shorter border waits now). Thanks for your input.

Urbanize_It
Dec 4, 2014, 4:52 AM
I wanted to get the fellow SD forumers opinion on the prospects for growth in San Diego tech with regards to "Near Shoring". I did a google search for - San Diego near shoring jobs to Tijuana - and you get articles by Huff Post, Al Jazeera, all kinds of stuff talking about how companies can set up here and then utilize cheap talent and production in TJ.

There was a big conference about this called Innovadora something in October with a big write up in the UT. Do you guys think this is all hype or could we really have something special going here? I was thinking about maybe doing consulting to get companies to come here but I don't know how realistic it is. It seems like a great sell instead of dealing with China or Southeast Asia and all the headaches of offshoring, come to SD live a great lifestyle and near shore 15 - 25 miles from where you live (easy access with SENTRI and shorter border waits now). Thanks for your input.

It seems like a slam dunk to me, but I have always been surprised that it was not already a major thing. I don't know why or what would make it more appealing now than before during the original offshoring move.

aerogt3
Dec 5, 2014, 8:33 AM
It seems like a slam dunk to me, but I have always been surprised that it was not already a major thing. I don't know why or what would make it more appealing now than before during the original offshoring move.

I bet Mexico would be competitive with China on labor and transport, but would fall behind quickly on industrial infrastructure. China is a manufacturing country. Not just for it's young, cheap workforce, but also a wealth of natural resources and virtually no environmental protections on harvesting them, and a massive infrastructure for getting raw materials to factories, etc. Northern Mexico doesn't really have any of this. You can source virtually any natural resouce cheaply and locally, your site runs on cheap (but dirty) coal power, and you just dump the toxic byproducts into the nearest river rather than expensive treatments. I don't see that infrastructure in TJ, nor can you just dump whatever you want into the TJ river.

I think if you tried to produce iPhones in TJ, the troubles of importing all the materials, transporting them to the production sites, and environmental compliance would quickly override the cost savings of employee travel and shipping to the US.

It sure would be nice though. Environmentally better and the outsourced money would be strenghening a neighbor rather than a competitor.

Kenchiku desu
Dec 7, 2014, 6:46 AM
You raise good points, Aero. It is interesting that Mexican industry is influenced heavily by the US, including in the environmental arena.

mello
Dec 8, 2014, 4:09 AM
Watching Sunday Night Football now and man our night skyline looks so dark from the blimp cam NBC has. The vantage point is over coronado looking to the North East obviosly because the north side of DT is the flightpath to Lindbergh.

Maybe blimp shots from the North Over mission hills would be much better. The condo towers are all dark shadows. And Irvine Comapny please put a nice bright crown on top of One America Plaza!! Swear to god it is completely dark on the top with just the little red light blinking, what a disgrace.

OAP is the premier office tower downtown it deserves to be brightly lit on the crown, Irvine is a gigantic company worth tens of billions of dollars and they are so cheap they won't light a building right on DTSD waterfront :hell:

eburress
Dec 8, 2014, 9:01 PM
Watching Sunday Night Football now and man our night skyline looks so dark from the blimp cam NBC has. The vantage point is over coronado looking to the North East obviosly because the north side of DT is the flightpath to Lindbergh.

Maybe blimp shots from the North Over mission hills would be much better. The condo towers are all dark shadows. And Irvine Comapny please put a nice bright crown on top of One America Plaza!! Swear to god it is completely dark on the top with just the little red light blinking, what a disgrace.

OAP is the premier office tower downtown it deserves to be brightly lit on the crown, Irvine is a gigantic company worth tens of billions of dollars and they are so cheap they won't light a building right on DTSD waterfront :hell:

I noticed that too. The skyline definitely looks better during the day.

The announcers were also pretty negative about Qualcomm, how it was one of the two worst NFL stadiums, and discussed the possibility of the Chargers, Rams, or Raiders moving to LA after this season. Man, please let it be the Rams or Raiders!

mello
Dec 8, 2014, 9:54 PM
Kroenke (Rams Owner) is worth 11.5 billion his wife is WalMart heiress. He is the only guy with the financial wherewithal to buy land (he already has the 60 acres and going for more in Inglewood/Hollywood Park Race Track) he can afford to pay 1.3 billion to also build a stadium with private money. Spanos is a small fry compared to him and is too cheap, after all these years he still only trots out his paltry 200 million dollar contribution to a stadium here which is pathetic.