SAN DIEGO | Boom Rundown, Vol. 2

[SDCAL]

Re: stadium downtown

I won't re-hash opposition to a chargers stadium downtown, I still think it's a terrible idea for reasons posted previously.

I am, however, also troubled by the convention center expansion. Doesn't being non-contiguous defeat the whole purpose of the expansion? Large convention planners prefer venues where everything can be in one contiguous space, I don't think we will lure those big clients here with this disjointed plan.

And then what happens when a large convention and a football game are happening at the same time? Is the parking shared? Will there be noise concerns for certain conventions?

A vote should be done separately on whether to expand the convention center and whether to build a chargers stadium downtown.

Or, we should have a choice of this project or the original contiguous convention center expansion that was put on hold when the city's hotel funding scheme lost in court. Despite the court loss, a public vote in favor would still allow that plan to go through and I think it's the best plan for our convention purposes.

I would vote yes on a convention center expansion but would vote no on a combined chargers stadium/convention center. It seems like JMI, the huge development company who stands to make mega profits if they are awarded both a stadium and convention center deal are using the situation with the convention center to try and bolster their chances of getting a stadium built and also bolster their chances of getting awarded two huge projects. While this plan is in the best interest of JMI's finances, it's not in the best interest of downtown or our potential future as a major convention city.

[Crackertastik]

I think a downtown stadium would have a lot of benefits. The current idea seems like it has too many issues though. I don't like the convention center pairing at all for the reasons you stated.

Remember this plan? I like this plan a lot. Lots of public space and parkland on the waterfront. A new stadium and a new arena. Would be sweet. Plus the terminal is totally unnecessary and not even close to the best use give the location.

[staplesla]

Originally Posted by Crackertastik

I think a downtown stadium would have a lot of benefits. The current idea seems like it has too many issues though. I don't like the convention center pairing at all for the reasons you stated.

Remember this plan? I like this plan a lot. Lots of public space and parkland on the waterfront. A new stadium and a new arena. Would be sweet. Plus the terminal is totally unnecessary and not even close to the best use give the location.

This plan is no longer valid. Dole re-signed a 25 year deal which is the area depicted in the rendering.

[eburress]

I like that stadium plan, but let's be real. Even if it were still a possibility, this city can't accomplish a project of that scale. Maybe 30-40 years ago, but the days of SD being a "can do" city capable of pulling together to do big things like that are long gone.

I'll be shocked if there's a new stadium or arena built in this city at all in the next 20 years, but if by some miracle it happens, it will be the most bare-bones stadium project possible.

[Leo the Dog]

Even though that plan would never happen, it is by far the best option/proposal I've seen. Stadium-Arena combo would be awesome. We could probably snag an NBA team.

This would create open space for the public, not eliminate it like the current East Village proposal does.

[eburress]

Originally Posted by Leo the Dog

Even though that plan would never happen, it is by far the best option/proposal I've seen. Stadium-Arena combo would be awesome. We could probably snag an NBA team.

This would create open space for the public, not eliminate it like the current East Village proposal does.

I completely agree. I'm not against an East Village stadium (I'd rather have a stadium/the Chargers in a less-than-perfect location than not at all) but I think something like this old proposal could be pretty close to a best case scenario.

[metrocity567]

With that new arena, I hope San Diego will get an NBA basketball team and also an NHL hockey team as well.

[Streamliner]

Editorial in the U-T by Bill Fulton, former City of San Diego planning director
Jan 3, 2015:

San Diego Must Embrace Urban Future

When I arrived in San Diego as planning director 18 months ago, I came with a strong sense of mission. My job, as I saw it, was to help the city successfully transition from a suburban to an urban place. This transition still seems inevitable to me. And I still believe that if San Diego does not confront this challenge directly, it will become not an elegant and well-functioning 21st century city, but rather an unworkable jumble of halfhearted efforts to both embrace and repel a more urban future.

Like most California cities, San Diego has traditionally been a suburban place — adding population primarily by expanding outward onto raw land. But San Diego today is the largest city in the United States that has run out of raw land. Except in the largely industrial Otay Mesa area, it is simply not possible for San Diego to continue growing in this traditional way. In order to enhance both prosperity and quality of life, San Diego must learn to grow gracefully by adding new residents, jobs, and other activities in existing locations... Full Text

[spoonman]

Originally Posted by Streamliner

Editorial in the U-T by Bill Fulton, former City of San Diego planning director
Jan 3, 2015:

San Diego Must Embrace Urban Future

A handful of Nimbys went berserk in the comments section. One of them even complains about cyclists and how she has to dodge them with her car because the streets in Golden Hill and South Park aren't wide enough. One hick even wants to install gates at the 5,8, and 15 freeways so that people can only enter the county as another leaves. Unbelievable, literally. See for yourselves and feel free to comment.

[Leo the Dog]

Originally Posted by spoonman

A handful of Nimbys went berserk in the comments section. One of them even complains about cyclists and how she has to dodge them with her car because the streets in Golden Hill and South Park aren't wide enough. One hick even wants to install gates at the 5,8, and 15 freeways so that people can only enter the county as another leaves. Unbelievable, literally. See for yourselves and feel free to comment.

Haha wow!

there is still so much available land to be developed and redeveloped in this city.

Visit Boston, they maximize every single inch of available land.

I'd like to see PB slowly redevelop. So much wasted opportunity on a gold mine of real estate.

[SDCAL]

Originally Posted by spoonman

A handful of Nimbys went berserk in the comments section. One of them even complains about cyclists and how she has to dodge them with her car because the streets in Golden Hill and South Park aren't wide enough. One hick even wants to install gates at the 5,8, and 15 freeways so that people can only enter the county as another leaves. Unbelievable, literally. See for yourselves and feel free to comment.

Crazies like this exist everywhere, the only problem is in San Diego the local government coddles them instead of ignoring them and carrying on with logical urban planning.

[Northparkwizard]

Drove by the Tijuana Cross-border Terminal that's under construction on Otay Mesa. Sorry for the distant photos, you can't get very close to it yet. As you can see the steel superstructure is up and they're working on the streets, parking lots, etc...

Here's looking almost directly south facing the border fence, the backside of Tijuana International and the main entrance to the new terminal.


This is looking southeast(outside of the Border Patrol HQ) towards where the bridge will be built from the new terminal connecting it to Tijuana International.


As for the final look... well judge for yourselves.

[tyleraf]

It looks like we are jumping on the ferris wheel bandwagon. http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/...heel-bay-port/

[dtell04]

http://www.therichmangroup.com/devel...elopments.html

I can't seem to find any other renderings, but this is a link to a pic for a 7 story apartment building on park and F. I saw the notice come out from civic SD yesterday.

[eburress]

Originally Posted by dtell04

http://www.therichmangroup.com/devel...elopments.html

I can't seem to find any other renderings, but this is a link to a pic for a 7 story apartment building on park and F. I saw the notice come out from civic SD yesterday.

Oooh, pretty! I like that!

A ferris wheel's not happening.

[tyleraf]

This looks like some nice infill. Hopefully this becomes this becomes the new standard. Now if we could get some more highrises.

[spoonman]

Agree. Looks like a quality project.

[Urbanize_It]

Agreed, I like it! However, just a few blocks away....Has anyone else seen the steaming pile o' crap Oliver McMillan 13th & G building recently? Man is it ugly! Even more so than the renderings. I would take a picture and post it, but I'm afraid my camera would break.

[spoonman]

Originally Posted by Urbanize_It

Agreed, I like it! However, just a few blocks away....Has anyone else seen the steaming pile o' crap Oliver McMillan 13th & G building recently? Man is it ugly! Even more so than the renderings. I would take a picture and post it, but I'm afraid my camera would break.

Wow. It is ugly. McMillan should be banished for what they have built in this city. They are responsible for this (below), the radar dish building in Cortez Hill, and the stucco-fest that is Liberty Station.

EDIT: Sorry, the building on Cortez Hil was developed by K. Hovnanian Homes, another tract home builder trying to do urban developments. At least they are trying?!?

[tyleraf]

I found some new renders of Makers Quarter. At least it looks decently dense.

image by tylerfagan, on Flickr

image by tylerfagan, on Flickr
[url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/96153353@N08/16045934230/]