SAN DIEGO | Boom Rundown, Vol. 2

[ChargerCarl]

I hope the Chargers brand would stay in SD like the Browns did with Cleveland.

[SDCAL]

I'm looking forward to a decade of wrangling over the Q. The UT has an article quoting Briggs saying he'll sue if they propose high-rises in the valley.

Briggs doesn't have much credibility left. Let's not forget, on election night when Spanos got it handed to him, so did Briggs. In fact, I believe his measure got less votes than the Charger's measure did. I wish he'd move to LA, too.

The Mayor is proposing a hotel tax increase to pay for a convention center expansion. I'm not sure if he means contiguous or not, but I'm hoping we can get the current convention center expanded and KEEP COMIC CON here for good!

[HurricaneHugo]

I thought the contiguous expansion already got shot down?

[SDCAL]

I thought the contiguous expansion already got shot down?

I keep reading contradictory things. I think it might still have a chance with the hotel tax, but would require a vote.

[Lipani]

I wouldn't worry about Comic-Con leaving. I work with them every year and no one from that office has mentioned the possibility of moving to LA or Anaheim (some have even mocked it as a conspiracy theory). The convention center mainly wants to expand to host multiple shows at the same time. For example, when my agency ran Schwab Impact (a little over 7000 attendees), we only utilized 3/5 of the available space. The convention center struggled to rent out the remainder and I think they ended up booking some mini-job fair. 100,000+ conventions are very rare and generally like to stick to the same cities. SF has Dreamforce, Vegas has SEMA and CES, and we have Comic-Con. It's extremely unlikely that any of those will go anywhere else in the near future.

[a very long weekend]

comicon can't move to LA for at least 5 years, either with the inglewood stadium or the convention center expansion. after that though, who knows. LA has far better international connections (LAX and the freeway system) and so many of the attendees are from LA anyway. it's a real risk and SD should really keep on top of it. the best way is to keep going with everything planned, on the waterfront and downtown, that improves san diego's core and continues the process toward making it a walkable, vibrant area, the sort of area that people are pleased they get to visit every year.

edit: also want to say that i think it fucking sucks that the football team is headed up to los angeles. here in SF, we lost the football team to a city about 40 miles south, what's basically san jose. you feel the void here in the city, there's very very little support for the team, even if they're still use our name for legacy and promotional reasons. i don't really care, personally, but i can understand how it could make a community feel less 'common.'

[Leo the Dog]

^I thought the next possible/realistic move for ComicCon was Anaheim, not LA.

[QuatroCerberus]

I wouldn't worry about Comic-Con leaving. I work with them every year and no one from that office has mentioned the possibility of moving to LA or Anaheim (some have even mocked it as a conspiracy theory). The convention center mainly wants to expand to host multiple shows at the same time. For example, when my agency ran Schwab Impact (a little over 7000 attendees), we only utilized 3/5 of the available space. The convention center struggled to rent out the remainder and I think they ended up booking some mini-job fair. 100,000+ conventions are very rare and generally like to stick to the same cities. SF has Dreamforce, Vegas has SEMA and CES, and we have Comic-Con. It's extremely unlikely that any of those will go anywhere else in the near future.

LOL that's what San Diego hoped for about the chargers, to not leave, but look what happened. People for the longest, thought NFL was never gonna move any team to LA, but look what happened. Anything is possible my friend don't overlook it.

[bobcat]

Too much attention is being given to Comic Con when in the grand scheme of things it's just one convention. The much greater danger is that LA and OC are spending billions on attractions, hotels, and transportation infrastructure and are both poised to see explosive growth in tourism over the next few years. SD will have to find a way to keep up or risk being left behind.

[Lipani]

LOL that's what San Diego hoped for about the chargers, to not leave, but look what happened. People for the longest, thought NFL was never gonna move any team to LA, but look what happened. Anything is possible my friend don't overlook it.

I said near future. 10 years from now the Comic-Con staff could be completely different and management might have other ideas. But what do I know? They've only been one of my biggest clients since 2010. ;) That can be verified by several forumers, by the way.

[SDCAL]

Too much attention is being given to Comic Con when in the grand scheme of things it's just one convention. The much greater danger is that LA and OC are spending billions on attractions, hotels, and transportation infrastructure and are both poised to see explosive growth in tourism over the next few years. SD will have to find a way to keep up or risk being left behind.

I disagree with you about Comic Con. It's way more than "just one convention", it's the largest pop culture event in the world and has a solid national and international reputation. I do agree with you about SD falling behind, though. Things don't look good. LA is quickly solving their transportation problems and building light rail like crazy, meanwhile SD, with our incompetent SANDAG planning agency, seem to take decades to get even small projects done. This past November, LA voters passed a transit tax that ensures their large projects will continue to be funded. SD rejected ours, so nobody knows where the money will come from for transit here. Has the blue line to UCSD even broken ground yet? Honestly, my guess is that if the blue line does get built we are unlikely to see another major trolley line in the next 20-50 years. Nope, that's not a typo. Look at SANDAG's long range plan, it's concentrating on freeways and "rapid busses" and the one trolley line proposed (purple line) has no funding.

[bobcat]

I disagree with you about Comic Con. It's way more than "just one convention", it's the largest pop culture event in the world and has a solid national and international reputation.

So what? Comic book geeks have little income. How does the economic impact of Comic Con really compare to, say, 2-3 big doctor/lawyer conventions?

Meanwhile, SeaWorld (San Diego's most popular attraction) has seen attendance drop by over 20% even while Disney and Universal are spending billions to expand their parks.

[eburress]

It's the same everywhere in California. In every locality the NIMBYs have completely taken over. The only way we're ever going to build a significant amount of new housing is if the state forces us.

You're probably right. That's definitely the case in San Francisco.

[eburress]

Agreed with all the above. No need for SD to whore itself to those greedy bastards. The NFL will come back in the future because its such a great superbowl city and is a large market. California has set the pace in regards to not paying any public money towards stadiums / arenas for years and its worked out just fine. We have some of the most up to date and desired stadiums in the world.

The price tag for an NFL franchise and stadium won't change. If San Diego really wants a team, it's going to have to pay this price at some point...

[SDCAL]

So what? Comic book geeks have little income. How does the economic impact of Comic Con really compare to, say, 2-3 big doctor/lawyer conventions?

Meanwhile, SeaWorld (San Diego's most popular attraction) has seen attendance drop by over 20% even while Disney and Universal are spending billions to expand their parks.

A doctor/lawyer convention doesn't have the same media attention as Comic Con. And you are stereo-typing the convention goers. A lot of them are in the entertainment industry or even unrelated industries who do have money to spend.

[Derek]

So what? Comic book geeks have little income. How does the economic impact of Comic Con really compare to, say, 2-3 big doctor/lawyer conventions?


You have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. :haha:

[bobcat]

A doctor/lawyer convention doesn't have the same media attention as Comic Con. And you are stereo-typing the convention goers. A lot of them are in the entertainment industry or even unrelated industries who do have money to spend.

I think you're seriously overestimating the value of that little bit of media exposure.

[bobcat]

You have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. :haha:

Oh really?

Let's look at a recent report
https://www.visitsandiego.com/sites/default/files/SDCCC_Forecast_2016.pdf

According to their figures, the top 5 conventions by economic impact and attendance were:

1. SDCC, $140.0 miillion/130,000
2. Society for Neuroscience, $109.6 million/32,000
3. Digestive Disease Week, $62.8 million/20,000
4. American Society of Hermatology, $61.8 million/19,000
5. American Chemical Society, $60.5 million/19,000

SDCC's attendance was 4 times that of the #2 convention, yet the economic impact was only 28% greater! In fact, SDCC's attendance was 44% more than #2-5 put together (90,000), but its total economic impact was less than half of their $294.7 million combined total.

[Northparkwizard]

Oh really?

Let's look at a recent report
https://www.visitsandiego.com/sites/default/files/SDCCC_Forecast_2016.pdf

According to their figures, the top 5 conventions by economic impact and attendance were:

1. SDCC, $140.0 miillion/130,000
2. Society for Neuroscience, $109.6 million/32,000
3. Digestive Disease Week, $62.8 million/20,000
4. American Society of Hermatology, $61.8 million/19,000
5. American Chemical Society, $60.5 million/19,000

SDCC's attendance was 4 times that of the #2 convention, yet the economic impact was only 28% greater! In fact, SDCC's attendance was 44% more than #2-5 put together (90,000), but its total economic impact was less than half of their $294.7 million combined total.

Yeah, folks really drink the Kool-Aid around here when it comes to SDCC. I'm voting against any public funds that will expand convention center, they can raise their own money.

[mhays]

What percentage of Comic Con visitors are from Southern California? I'm just an outsider popping into the discussion, but it seems like an event that's partially about being a global event but a large percentage of attendees are local. The popular culture influence point is good, and the lower spending point is also good.

My city, Seattle, can't host events anywhere near that big. We're expanding our convention center but the target will still be 5,000 high-spending doctors, though locally-focused events where people show up for half a day vs. the whole duration can still draw multiples of that. While some Comic Con (and local versions) attendees have plenty of money, the average skews lower than doctor groups, even without including the teenage participants.

As for losing the Chargers, welcome to the club. After we lost the NBA I found that a sport I had no stake in was pretty quickly just uninteresting. That plus the NFL's incessant commercials would make me drop it like a hot potato (commercials, kickoff, commercials, three plays, commercials, four plays, two minute warning commercials, guy gets injured commercials, misc. no reason except commercials commercials...). It takes two switch-to channels to watch anything these days. Without the NFL you can do something more useful with your time.

I liked the downtown stadium concept, which didn't take too much land and had other uses integrated. But San Diego has great residential demand and I bet you can fill it with housing and other uses that will be more productive 98% of the time.

[superfishy]

Just got back from Shanghai, Taipei, and Nanjing. Those supertalls really make me envious. 500 feet max for SD? :((

[mello]

Too much attention is being given to Comic Con when in the grand scheme of things it's just one convention. The much greater danger is that LA and OC are spending billions on attractions, hotels, and transportation infrastructure and are both poised to see explosive growth in tourism over the next few years. SD will have to find a way to keep up or risk being left behind.

I take it you are saying SD might start seeing its toursim numbers lag due to siphoning from OC/LA? So Disneyland is doing the Star Wars thing, and Lucas is building his big fancy museum near USC/Exp Park... I get it Seaworld is getting a bit stale, although the Zoo does keep getting better. I think our North Coast is getting much better every time I'm in Encinitas/Cbad/Oside I am impressed with how the amenities and general feel are improving.

Little Italy only keeps stepping up, Manchester Pac Gateway, Harbor Island, Seaport Village all transformative projects. Tons of hotel rooms are coming online, Liberty Station while maybe a bit boring to us who live here by now continues to improve and is a pretty unique place (OC/LA have nothing like it). Balboa Park will be getting the redo which willadd appea. I think Hillcrest and PB need a refresh and to step their game up but overall San Diego continues to get better.

The Wine Scene is booming in Ramona we have the Indian Casinos with tons of hotels Tijuana keeps getting better so don't worry bobcat we are holding our own against Smell A and Orange Clownty. :cheers:

[Leo the Dog]

Oh really?

Let's look at a recent report
https://www.visitsandiego.com/sites/default/files/SDCCC_Forecast_2016.pdf

According to their figures, the top 5 conventions by economic impact and attendance were:

1. SDCC, $140.0 miillion/130,000
2. Society for Neuroscience, $109.6 million/32,000
3. Digestive Disease Week, $62.8 million/20,000
4. American Society of Hermatology, $61.8 million/19,000
5. American Chemical Society, $60.5 million/19,000

SDCC's attendance was 4 times that of the #2 convention, yet the economic impact was only 28% greater! In fact, SDCC's attendance was 44% more than #2-5 put together (90,000), but its total economic impact was less than half of their $294.7 million combined total.

$140 million for a couple of days is still $140 million, the number of people crammed into the building doesn't matter.

SDCC is growing YoY. It would be extremely foolish to even risk losing this event due to the city being unable to expand the CC. Comic-Con is only under contract with SD through 2018. The city better get it's act together, losing comic-con would be a blow to the city.

SD could lose some of these other conventions if a competitor builds the next biggest/best thing. Cities either evolve and continue to grow or they get left behind by their competition.

SD is a convention/tourism town and should do everything possible to remain a top destination in the US. The climate helps, but that's not enough to keep people coming, there are just too many options.

[Nerv]

Oh really?

Let's look at a recent report
https://www.visitsandiego.com/sites/default/files/SDCCC_Forecast_2016.pdf

According to their figures, the top 5 conventions by economic impact and attendance were:

1. SDCC, $140.0 miillion/130,000
2. Society for Neuroscience, $109.6 million/32,000
3. Digestive Disease Week, $62.8 million/20,000
4. American Society of Hermatology, $61.8 million/19,000
5. American Chemical Society, $60.5 million/19,000

SDCC's attendance was 4 times that of the #2 convention, yet the economic impact was only 28% greater! In fact, SDCC's attendance was 44% more than #2-5 put together (90,000), but its total economic impact was less than half of their $294.7 million combined total.


Most of the people that attend comic con are younger. So they probably spend more like the average person would. Same type of crowd maybe that Disneyland gets on a given day. So yeah, doctors and the like as a group are going to spend more than the average group of tourists.

The biggest figure you're missing in that chart that has already been mentioned is media coverage which is free advertising for the city. This type of coverage of comic con extends outside the US too. So how do you place a price on that type of free press? Super Bowls, World Series, olympics, oscars, bowl games or whatever all come with various degrees of advertising for the cities they are held in.

Doctors at convention here is something you want but they are dwarfed by comic con when talking about advertising for the city. Hell the auto show here gets more national buzz. You can not ignore media coverage with events like comic con and stick to numbers (which by the way vary some from the above depending on your sources). If you do you are not making a fair comparison. I've seen the numbers cited by officials and there's a reason they all mention the national exposure along with the numbers of events like comic con, all star game, Super Bowl, holiday bowl, etc.
It's all part of the package of a event.

[Nerv]

I take it you are saying SD might start seeing its toursim numbers lag due to siphoning from OC/LA? So Disneyland is doing the Star Wars thing, and Lucas is building his big fancy museum near USC/Exp Park... I get it Seaworld is getting a bit stale, although the Zoo does keep getting better. I think our North Coast is getting much better every time I'm in Encinitas/Cbad/Oside I am impressed with how the amenities and general feel are improving.

Little Italy only keeps stepping up, Manchester Pac Gateway, Harbor Island, Seaport Village all transformative projects. Tons of hotel rooms are coming online, Liberty Station while maybe a bit boring to us who live here by now continues to improve and is a pretty unique place (OC/LA have nothing like it). Balboa Park will be getting the redo which willadd appea. I think Hillcrest and PB need a refresh and to step their game up but overall San Diego continues to get better.

The Wine Scene is booming in Ramona we have the Indian Casinos with tons of hotels Tijuana keeps getting better so don't worry bobcat we are holding our own against Smell A and Orange Clownty. :cheers:



It's funny and I can only speak of people I know from outside of California so I'm not suggesting it's universal but it's because San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles are so close (driving distance) that that synergy is what makes So-Cal so damn popular with people from other states. We have a lot to offer within driving distance from one another. Yes we compete on various levels with the other 2 but I've always viewed So-Cal as this really great area to be in. We can have a lot of fun here with never catching a plane.

Just sayin'

[Lipani]

Oh really?

Let's look at a recent report
https://www.visitsandiego.com/sites/default/files/SDCCC_Forecast_2016.pdf

According to their figures, the top 5 conventions by economic impact and attendance were:

1. SDCC, $140.0 miillion/130,000
2. Society for Neuroscience, $109.6 million/32,000
3. Digestive Disease Week, $62.8 million/20,000
4. American Society of Hermatology, $61.8 million/19,000
5. American Chemical Society, $60.5 million/19,000

SDCC's attendance was 4 times that of the #2 convention, yet the economic impact was only 28% greater! In fact, SDCC's attendance was 44% more than #2-5 put together (90,000), but its total economic impact was less than half of their $294.7 million combined total.

Regardless of the number of attendees, Comic-Con is still number one by economic impact and by far receives the most press weeks before and after it takes place. The other four conventions you listed, by the way, are not coming back to San Diego this year. You're assuming that another event would come to San Diego, annually, at the same time of year and produce a similar economic impact. LA, SF and Vegas are all expanding their convention centers right now. All of them, like San Diego, are popular convention cities that want to host more events simultaneously. Certainly part of it, though, is that they want to appease some of their largest annual events (E3 in LA, Dreamforce in SF, CES and SEMA in Vegas).

[ChargerCarl]

It's funny and I can only speak of people I know from outside of California so I'm not suggesting it's universal but it's because San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles are so close (driving distance) that that synergy is what makes So-Cal so damn popular with people from other states. We have a lot to offer within driving distance from one another. Yes we compete on various levels with the other 2 but I've always viewed So-Cal as this really great area to be in. We can have a lot of fun here with never catching a plane.

Just sayin'

I grew up in Orange County and remember as a kid visiting places out of state and thinking it was really weird how far apart cities and towns were from each other. I've always liked that SoCal is basically one giant contiguous metro, except for Pendleton of course.

That Pendleton gap always made SD feel world's away from me even though it was so close. Hopefully one day we'll reform our land use regulations to make Japanese style regional train service a viable mode of transit between the two.

[bobbyv]

I take it you are saying SD might start seeing its toursim numbers lag due to siphoning from OC/LA? So Disneyland is doing the Star Wars thing, and Lucas is building his big fancy museum near USC/Exp Park... I get it Seaworld is getting a bit stale, although the Zoo does keep getting better. I think our North Coast is getting much better every time I'm in Encinitas/Cbad/Oside I am impressed with how the amenities and general feel are improving.

Little Italy only keeps stepping up, Manchester Pac Gateway, Harbor Island, Seaport Village all transformative projects. Tons of hotel rooms are coming online, Liberty Station while maybe a bit boring to us who live here by now continues to improve and is a pretty unique place (OC/LA have nothing like it). Balboa Park will be getting the redo which willadd appea. I think Hillcrest and PB need a refresh and to step their game up but overall San Diego continues to get better.

The Wine Scene is booming in Ramona we have the Indian Casinos with tons of hotels Tijuana keeps getting better so don't worry bobcat we are holding our own against Smell A and Orange Clownty. :cheers:

Lol someone is bitter:P, I love it, keep hating little sister of ours keep hating:cheers:

[IMBY]

Interesting how Mark Davis has not officially filed for relocation to Vegas yet. Word is the Mayor of SD and County Supervisor are talking to him. Think about it he only owns 51% of the Raiders, maybe someone in the group of minority owners is in construction or is a developer and they can give them the deal to develop the SDSU expansion at the Mission Valley Site. There is 166 acres to work with there vs. just a stadium in Vegas and being under the thumb of Billionaire Sheldon Adelson who is putting up tons of money to get it built. I still think there is a chance the Raiders move to SD.

As a Las Vegan, I hope, I hope, I hope, I hope the Raiders end up going to San Diego!

I also hope, hope, hope, one day, our short-sighted Clark County Commissioners will be replaced with far-sighted Millennials, who will put mass transit at the top of their lists, and a stadium at the bottom of the list.

[dtell04]

Interesting how Mark Davis has not officially filed for relocation to Vegas yet. Word is the Mayor of SD and County Supervisor are talking to him. Think about it he only owns 51% of the Raiders, maybe someone in the group of minority owners is in construction or is a developer and they can give them the deal to develop the SDSU expansion at the Mission Valley Site. There is 166 acres to work with there vs. just a stadium in Vegas and being under the thumb of Billionaire Sheldon Adelson who is putting up tons of money to get it built. I still think there is a chance the Raiders move to SD.

Do you have a source? I haven't heard this.

[Derek]

That would be so hilarious. They'd retain their rabid fanbase in the Bay Area, their rabid fanbase in Los Angeles, and the salty ex-Chargers fans. The Chargers would become irrelevant.

[ucsbgaucho]

Raiders to file for relocation to Vegas (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000773952/article/raiders-to-file-relocation-papers-to-move-from-oakland-to-vegas)

From NFL.com 5 days ago. That's the latest official news.

[IconRPCV]

Too much attention is being given to Comic Con when in the grand scheme of things it's just one convention. The much greater danger is that LA and OC are spending billions on attractions, hotels, and transportation infrastructure and are both poised to see explosive growth in tourism over the next few years. SD will have to find a way to keep up or risk being left behind.

Seriously??

COMICON is just about the biggest thing SD has in its tool kit. The entertainment world kinda pays all its attention to our lil hamlet for the duration of the convention. We need to ensure it stays in SD and the organizers of the convention need to work on making sure it stays relavent.

[mello]

Just listened to Mike Aguirre on the Radio he says the city has a great shot at getting an injunction to block the Chargers move and file an anti trust lawsuit. He is currently working with the City Attorney and a guy who filed suit against the NFL during the last lock out and was essentially successful. He said the Bolts were consistently 21st to 23rd in revenue among the 32 teams.

That isn't bad hey someone has to be in the bottom third not all can be top ten right? Plus he had rent credits, ticket guarantee in past, and free rent at their team facility now. He has had virtually no costs and the team has gone in value from 70 million to 1.5 billion - 2.2bill. So where is the hardship here? There is none at all. We are going to fight this #SDSTRONG :cheers:

You can't move our Dolts:haha::notacrook:

[SDCAL]

Just listened to Mike Aguirre on the Radio he says the city has a great shot at getting an injunction to block the Chargers move and file an anti trust lawsuit. He is currently working with the City Attorney and a guy who filed suit against the NFL during the last lock out and was essentially successful. He said the Bolts were consistently 21st to 23rd in revenue among the 32 teams.

That isn't bad hey someone has to be in the bottom third not all can be top ten right? Plus he had rent credits, ticket guarantee in past, and free rent at their team facility now. He has had virtually no costs and the team has gone in value from 70 million to 1.5 billion - 2.2bill. So where is the hardship here? There is none at all. We are going to fight this #SDSTRONG :cheers:

You can't move our Dolts:haha::notacrook:

You have to be kidding me, forcing a football team to stay in a city by court order? That would make us look pathetic. Sue them to recuperate the ongoing costs we still have at qaulcomm, but suing to force them to stay is like a husband suing a wife who wants a divorce and telling her she can't move out. This is getting idiotic. We need to stop while we're ahead. We are known right now as the first major city to tell the NFL and their stadium extortion tactics to f**** off, do we really want to swap that out with being the City who has to sue to keep a team? Hahahahaha. It would be so SD to do that though. About as smart as the city turning down Miramar from the Navy who offered it to the city for $ 1 in 1952 !

[Lipani]

Most professional sports teams are franchises in this country. As long as they honor their lease agreements and have approval of their leagues, they can move just about anywhere they want. The Chargers covered both of those and a lawsuit like this would be laughed at by the courts.

[Lipani]

Gotta wonder how long Westfield is going to let Horton Plaza bleed out. They had similar problems with Downtown Plaza in Sacramento, but eventually sold it (and was later demolished to make way for the Kings' new arena).

Horton Plaza — from remarkable vision to troubled reality
By Peter Rowe

Today, mired in a midlife crisis, Horton Plaza seems to have lost its sparkle. The mall is bleeding tenants: Nordstrom packed its Coach bags last year; Panda Inn, Horton Plaza’s last full-service restaurant, departs Jan. 31. Besides empty storefronts, visitors wandering the five-story, 900,000-square-foot complex see peeling paint, chipped tiles and cracked woodwork.

Westfield, Horton Plaza’s Australian owner, has promised a “future revitalization” of this property but has not released any details.

Malls around the world face daunting challenges, as online stores siphon off consumers. For busy shoppers, Horton Plaza presents an additional drawback: its trademark design of meandering walkways.
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/local-history/sd-me-horton-20170115-story.html

[mwm991]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-is-reportedly-upset-with-chargers-wants-them-to-move-back-to-san-diego/?linkId=33624389

Pah, Dean Spanos might just be the worst owner in pro sports.

[mwm991]

Gotta wonder how long Westfield is going to let Horton Plaza bleed out. They had similar problems with Downtown Plaza in Sacramento, but eventually sold it (and was later demolished to make way for the Kings' new arena).

Horton Plaza — from remarkable vision to troubled reality
By Peter Rowe


http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/local-history/sd-me-horton-20170115-story.html

On life support. I think retail in some manner can have a place, but the shopping center mall is done particularly in the downtown setting outwith the extreme NYC type examples. I can see a mixed use replacement in a few years office/retail/residential/entertainment.

[SLO]

Gotta wonder how long Westfield is going to let Horton Plaza bleed out. They had similar problems with Downtown Plaza in Sacramento, but eventually sold it (and was later demolished to make way for the Kings' new arena).

Horton Plaza — from remarkable vision to troubled reality
By Peter Rowe


http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/local-history/sd-me-horton-20170115-story.html

That's too bad, I hate to see the total destruction of retail. Horton was pretty darn cool back in the day.

[JerellO]

I love Horton Plaza :(

[mello]

Horton blows, does Westfield actually own the land the mall sits on? It should be sold to a Chinese Billionaire for a mega mixed use ego project. Modern and sleek something to put SD on the map! Like Brickell City Center in Miami but with better design. Or maybe something like MGM City Center. We need something to really knock peoples socks off. :yes:

[Lipani]

^ Hardly anyone would disagree that Horton Plaza needs at least a massive renovation. It served a good purpose in downtown for several years, but has failed to adapt to the changes in retail. Losing Nordstrom's clearly hurt and Macy's, like many anchor stores, isn't doing very well lately.

As far as I know Westfield owns the land. Then there are several other properties that would have to be worked around: Balboa Theatre, Horton Apartments and Golden West Hotel on Fourth; the Westin on First, etc. Personally I would love to see something that doesn't feel so claustrophobic as part of Horton Plaza's redevelopment, but other than that I'm keeping an open mind.

[SLO]

I think more playing off of the atmosphere, weather and lifestyle more like Paseo Nuevo in Santa Barbara would be plenty, it integrates well with a downtown and has a cool factor without being ostentatious.

[JerellO]

Maybe knocking down some walls to make the space more open and inviting??

[Bertrice]

A sports arena downtown would be epic but it will never happen.

[Lipani]

You never know. AEG proposed an arena as part of the Seaport Village redevelopment. They seem eager to replace the old sports arena.

[mello]

Are you kidding me Bertrice if the NFL is not in San Diego we are by far the largest metro area in the US with only one major sports team. There is plenty of land at Tailgate park to fit in an arena where you wouldn't have to move the MTS busyard. I have already made a lot of phone calls and the NBA will definitely be looking at SD with a downtown arena. Sacramento's arena cost 530 million.

[JerellO]

They can't just build over the tracks?? Let the trains be underground? I think they did that with the original Penn station in NYC to build Madison Square garden.

[HurricaneHugo]

MLS targeting San Diego for Expansion:

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/sports/MLS-Targeting-San-Diego-for-Expansion-410864725.html

[CastleScott]

Hopefully one day we'll reform our land use regulations to make Japanese style regional train service a viable mode of transit between the two.

This would be great and I think something like this could happen in the I-5 corridor-since LA passed Measure M I believe something like this is almost around the corner.

[SDCAL]

Horton Plaza was built in the mid 1980s when downtown was still seedy and a center of porn shops and peep shows. That influenced the fortress-like design. I think any thriving downtown needs ratail, my hope is that HP stays a retail center and totally revamps and turns inside-out so you have street-level shopping.

[Leo the Dog]

I have already made a lot of phone calls and the NBA will definitely be looking at SD with a downtown arena. Sacramento's arena cost 530 million.

^Awesome!

The Clippers lease at the Staples Center expires 2024. Staples will be 25 years old at that point. There's already some chatter in LA about the Clippers building a new arena potentially in the Westside, but imagine if SD put together a legitimate proposal to lure the Clips away, could get interesting.

[ChelseaFC]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C23zEVQUkAEjBvv.jpg

Artie Ojeda ‏@ArtieNBCSD
BREAKING: First look at rendering of MLS Stadium concept at Qualcomm Stadium site. Standing by for details. #nbc7

Three investors insist no taxpayer money. Must file for MLS application by Jan 31st.

plan would also include a stake in Mexican soccer league and bring a team to play here.

first step would be to develop 30 acres of River Park, no public expense. Would eventually total 55 (same as Measure D)

have had discussion with SDSU for joint stadium "quite hopeful" about working with university.

plan would also include "transit oriented development with student focused housing."

big challenge will be land acquisition. Land needs to be assessed for fair market value "to protect taxpayers."

SDSU asked to assume half of 200-million cost. Investors will then donate their half 5 years down the road.

investors say plan would relieve city of millions of dollars of negative financial liability.

investor group and city would split maintenance costs of proposed stadium.

Investors putting pressure squarly on city council. Will gather signatures and ask city to "direct adopt" plan.

investors say city must "direct adopt". If goes to a ballot vote, they will lose MLS bid.

HUGE point here. Investors say if city doesn't direct adopt (no public vote), they back out. It will be a deal breaker.

investors say city needs to act quickly because MLS application deadline is January 31st (yeah, real fast).

SDSU response: "Have had discussions, excited about reviewing complete proposal. Our priority is having a home for Aztec football and a plan for potential student housing and research facilities."

[Lipani]

Wow! FS Investors put this together quickly. So far it seems to be mostly good. Per the Union-Tribune (http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/growth-development/sd-fi-soccer-20170122-story.html), Gensler will have a site plan available in about two weeks.

[Nerv]

It will be interesting to see if anything gets done with the Q over the next couple of years. Lots of moving parts to that puzzle.

San Diego State is starting to look desperate. First in earlier remarks about the city giving them some land for a stadium at the Q if the Chargers left. Second with that second prop that got shot down by voters with the city giving them the land again if the Chargers left (hidden in a convention center expansion deal. Lol). Third by offering to kick in a 100 million to the new Charger stadium deal. Now that the teams gone they are all over the place with possible deals.

I've love to see them get a stadium deal here somewhere but if the voters didn't give in to the Chargers (who had a much higher value to more voters) what makes them think the same voters are going to be fine giving them valuable city lands or a super steep discount on it?

I remember one source trying to say that 160+ acres of mission valley land was only worth about 50 million dollars. What a bargain if you can buy a 3+ acre parcel in mission valley for a million dollars. Ha-ha.

Ugh. This is only the beginning. :uhh:

[mwm991]

I read some of the comments on various local media sites, i.e the UT. I'm actually surprised, well kind not, that there are some negative responses to this proposal. People forgetting that there is actually no public money being spent on this. I think conservative folks just like moaning for the sake of moaning sometimes.


Buy the 166-acre site from the city at fair market value, as determined by a third-party. The site has been estimated at about $50 million in its present, unimproved condition;
Demolish 50-year-old Qualcomm Stadium, relieving the city of the annual upkeep of about $12 million and about $100 million in deferred maintenance costs. The city still owes about $28 million on outstanding bonds;
Set aside enough land for an NFL stadium to be built in the next five years if another city’s team wants to relocate and replace the Chargers, assuming the Chargers do not change their minds and want to move back;
Pay the projected cost, previously estimated at about $50 million, for a 55-acre San Diego River Park on the south side of the property;
Cover the costs of offsite traffic improvements associated with the development, as determined in an environmental analysis to accompany the citizens initiative, as well as onsite infrastructure site development costs with details to be laid out in coming weeks; and,
Invite other developers to build housing, including about 800 beds for SDSU students, 10 percent of the remainder for low- and moderate-income renters; office space for SDSU and other tenants, including a possible million-square-foot corporate headquarters; and related commercial and entertainment uses on the remainder of the property. The overall hope is to develop a transit-oriented development tied to the existing trolley line and one planned along Interstate 15.


To clarify you get a brand new mixed use stadium. An open door for an NFL team to return. Green space. Transport infrastructure improvements. Additional amenities for the local university. Opportunities for other various commercial use. Oh, and not a penny spent by the tax payer.

I am disgusted! Jesus. :rolleyes:

[ChargerCarl]

Demolish it, slice up the land into smaller properties, up zone it, and auction it off to the highest bidder.

I mean we are suffering from a housing crisis right?

[The Flying Dutchman]

A measly 800 housing units on 55 acres? WTF. That's less than one house per acre. On a site with a trolley through it. Council better vote NO on this non-starter P.O.S. "Deal".

[Nerv]

I also wonder what the cost of razing the Q would cost too. In the past it seems to run about 15-25 million to take down a stadium but I seem to remember them wanting over 75 million to take down the Astrodome due to extra clean up costs.

Anyone know what the building height limits are in Mission Valley? I know they've proposed towers in the past in the 225-300 foot range but is there a current max limit there?

[spoonman]

A measly 800 housing units on 55 acres? WTF. That's less than one house per acre. On a site with a trolley through it. Council better vote NO on this non-starter P.O.S. "Deal".

The article said "INCLUDING" 800 units for SDSU students. Didn't say "Up to".

[Northparkwizard]

Page number 619. Use it wisely people ...

[HurricaneHugo]

Anyone know what the building height limits are in Mission Valley? I know they've proposed towers in the past in the 225-300 foot range but is there a current max limit there?

No taller than the valley's rim

BS limit, could have a couple of 600 footers there

[Leo the Dog]

No taller than the valley's rim

BS limit, could have a couple of 600 footers there

Imagine the view from University-Normal Heights/Kensington if MV was full of towers!

[The Flying Dutchman]

Imagine the view from University-Normal Heights/Kensington if MV was full of towers!

I was thinking the same exact thing. Latest article re: the whole Uptown upzoning debacle: http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2017/jan/06/ticker-uptown-preservationists-sue-city/

Also see: http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2016/feb/10/citylights-hillcrest-high-rise-housing-heights/

Note that even though the latest plan calls for a 200 ft. build height limit (up from 65 ft.), density bonuses can easily double the limits. So I wouldn't be surprised to see 30 or even 40 footers in Uptown. That will be interesting to see.

Also to read:

Important article re: East Village/Downtown from the business community:
https://www.bisnow.com/san-diego/news/mixed-use/why-redevelopment-of-east-village-is-so-important-to-downtown-san-diegos-future-70109

[JerellO]

I wish they'd built more high rises in Hillcrest... there's so much potencial there

[spoonman]

Note that even though the latest plan calls for a 200 ft. build height limit (up from 65 ft.), density bonuses can easily double the limits. So I wouldn't be surprised to see 30 or even 40 footers in Uptown. That will be interesting to see.


Huh? :shrug:

[spoonman]

Can someone chime in on whether the Uptown/Hillcrest Community Plan passed? If so, what type of height does it allow?

[Lipani]

Hillcrest protested bike lanes; just imagine how they'd feel about higher density. It'll happen sooner or later, though. Housing is only going to get worse than it already is without more supply.

[SDfan]

Page number 619. Use it wisely people ...

Lolz!

[SDfan]

Looks like Bosa has settled on a new name for it's Kettner tower: Savina

http://savinabybosa.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=display&gclid=CJXt9aeW4NECFQWTfgodjZMBGQ

[SDfan]

Can someone chime in on whether the Uptown/Hillcrest Community Plan passed? If so, what type of height does it allow?

The Uptown community plan passed, except the council did some amending before the vote. It stripped out the proposed 65' height limit, and kept in place the original density levels which were set to be downzoned. They also asked the city planning department to weigh in on upzoning the Hillcrest core (higher FAR and height limits) at the request of the Uptown Gateway District (those awesome property owners who see the potential for a Little Italy like evolution for Hillcrest).

So far, a community group in Mission Hills, and SOHO have said they will sue the city for not imposing the NIMBY community planning group's original proposals for downzoning and height limits, but we shall see where those go. Community planning groups are advisory, it's the city that gets to make these final decisions.

However, with the density bonus all of this might not matter. As I type, Jonathan Segal is building a 90'-100' mid-rise in Mission Hills (an area that is supposed to be 55' max) thanks to his inclusion of affordable housing in the project. I expect to see a lot more of these situations cropping up in the near future.

[Affrojuice]

http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/news_uploads/park-market-lead.jpg

Making a Mark in Downtown

The University of California San Diego is going urban.

In December, the university announced its plans to build an Innovative Cultural and Education Hub in downtown San Diego at the corner of Park Avenue and Market Street. The new center will connect a wide range of campus programs to the downtown innovation community and more closely link diverse neighborhoods throughout San Diego’s urban core.

UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla said the new facility is designed to deliver on the core tenets of the university’s Strategic Plan to ensure both equity and excellence.

“Our establishment of an urban innovation and educational hub demonstrates our commitment to be bold and build a better university, a better community and a better world,” Khosla said. “This new hub will support economic development downtown while delivering new educational opportunities for our students, faculty and staff and provide a greater connection to communities throughout San Diego.”

UC San Diego Extension will manage the 66,000-square-foot center, which the Holland Partner Group is developing as part of a larger project at the location. The center is slated to be completed in 2020 and will offer educational and cultural programs; it also will house a 3,000-square-foot restaurant on the ground floor and an outdoor amphitheater space. The center will be home to:

academic and outreach programs for middle and high school students from surrounding communities
business incubation and entrepreneurship resources for entrepreneurs throughout the urban core
a venue for arts events and exhibits to showcase the university’s and the larger community’s cultural offerings.
a hub for civic engagement, including applied research and volunteer opportunities.
courses, workshops and seminars relevant to downtown’s growing workforce.
Mary Walshok, UC San Diego’s associate vice chancellor for public programs and dean of Extension, said the new Innovative Cultural and Education Hub will redefine the role of a research university in the 21st century by offering unique educational experiences and research opportunities as well as arts and cultural activities.

“With the diverse neighborhoods surrounding the urban core, including Barrio Logan, the Diamond District and Golden Hill, this project reinforces UC San Diego’s role as a key partner in spurring economic prosperity and inclusion through engaging events and educational offerings.”

The 66,000-square-foot center, at the corner of Park Avenue and Market Street, will also include a restaurant and outdoor space.
The selection of the Park and Market site was driven because of its proximity to the UC San Diego Blue Line. The line will run from San Ysidro to University City and link the main campus in La Jolla with the greater San Diego region and ensure a stronger connection between the university and diverse communities.

“These transportation links that connect the university with the larger community are critical as the city comes of age,” Walshok said. “We want to build this facility to demonstrate that no matter where you come from, there is place for you in the new economy.”

Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer applauded UC San Diego’s efforts and its commitment to the City of San Diego’s ongoing efforts to education and economic development.


http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/news_uploads/park-market-2.jpg

“Landing a university presence in downtown San Diego is a game changer and the result of years of hard work to make it a reality,” Faulconer said. “This new project will continue the revitalization of the East Village neighborhood and, with UC San Diego’s top-notch reputation, provide countless opportunities for collaboration as we prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow.”

No state funds will be used to finance the construction of the project and ongoing financing for the facility will come from a combination of program underwriting, contracts and grants, fees for services and lease revenues, all of which UC San Diego Extension will manage.

The Holland Partner Group received final approval of the entitlements for both the Innovative Cultural and Education Hub and its larger residential project from the San Diego City Council on Dec. 13. The residential project includes 341 market-rate apartments, 85 rent-restricted affordable apartments for very low-income residents and preservation of the historic Remmen House. Construction is slated to begin during the summer of 2017.

By Jennifer Davies
http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/feature/making_a_mark_in_downtown?utm_campaign=thisweek&utm_medium=email&utm_source=tw-2016-01-26

[spoonman]

The Uptown community plan passed, except the council did some amending before the vote. It stripped out the proposed 65' height limit, and kept in place the original density levels which were set to be downzoned. They also asked the city planning department to weigh in on upzoning the Hillcrest core (higher FAR and height limits) at the request of the Uptown Gateway District (those awesome property owners who see the potential for a Little Italy like evolution for Hillcrest).

So far, a community group in Mission Hills, and SOHO have said they will sue the city for not imposing the NIMBY community planning group's original proposals for downzoning and height limits, but we shall see where those go. Community planning groups are advisory, it's the city that gets to make these final decisions.

However, with the density bonus all of this might not matter. As I type, Jonathan Segal is building a 90'-100' mid-rise in Mission Hills (an area that is supposed to be 55' max) thanks to his inclusion of affordable housing in the project. I expect to see a lot more of these situations cropping up in the near future.

Thanks for the info, SDFan. Does that mean that the original 200ft (?) height limit is still in effect. I think it was 200ft.

[The Flying Dutchman]

The limit is 65' but a group of developers are pushing for 200'. Throw in density bonuses and there is the potential for 400' in Uptown. I post articles for a reason, but here they are again:

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2016/feb/10/citylights-hillcrest-high-rise-housing-heights/

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2017/jan/06/ticker-uptown-preservationists-sue-city/

Basically, you have a group of NIMBYs crying hell to high water because like SDFan said, the city amended the community-approved plan at the last second to allow for greater density up to 100'. The developers want up to 200' (likely since steel frame construction is necessary to make a profit and I believe is only feasible after around 20 stories/200' or so). Steel frame is necessary over anything ~60' or six stories. 100' doesn't pencil out for developers, is too high for the NIMBYs, yada yada.

[spoonman]

FYI

The height limit was 150-200ft along Washington St and other business corridors before the "interim" height limit was enacted.

http://missionhillsheritage.org/interimordinance.htm

Am I correct to understand that the limit just passed is now 100' everywhere, with the possibility for increases to 200' in certain areas?

[The Flying Dutchman]

You are correct. Also interesting to note is that on Park blvd., the west side is considered Uptown (Hillcrest), and parts are considered University heights. The entire eastern side is considered North Park, which is why all the taller buildings are on the eastern side of Park blvd. (That's how I understand it.)

[The Flying Dutchman]

"The new North Park Community Plan, which covers 2,260 acres, focuses much future development in two nodes: 30th Street and El Cajon Boulevard and 30th Street and University Avenue.

The plan also encourages replacement of housing built between the 1960s and 1980s that community leaders say veers from the area’s traditional architecture.

In addition, the plan includes incentives for pedestrian–oriented projects on the blocks between Lincoln Avenue and Howard Avenue, and transit-oriented projects along Park Boulevard and El Cajon Boulevard.

The new Uptown Community Plan, which covers 2,700 acres, lifts height limits for new construction by rescinding 2008’s interim height ordinance.

The cap remains 50 feet in Mission Hills, but is 65 feet in Bankers Hill and could rise to 150 feet there with a special permit. And in Hillcrest, buildings can be 100 feet tall east of state Route 163 and 120 feet tall in the central part of the community west of the freeway.

The plan also calls for closing a notorious gap in the University Avenue bike path to improve safety and encourage more commuting by bicycle.

In addition to Mission Hills and Hillcrest, Uptown includes Bankers Hill, Park West, Middletown and University Heights.

The new Golden Hill Community Plan, which covers 745 acres, reduces density in the eastern and central parts of the community and in much of South Park. Density increases in the western portion of Golden Hill, particularly near downtown and San Diego City College.

Two local nonprofits, Mission Hills Heritage and Save Our Heritage, sued the city on Jan. 4 to block the new Uptown plan based on concerns its potential environmental effects hadn’t been properly studied."

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/politics/sd-me-new-plans-20170106-story.html

I could be wrong, but NP doesn't have a height limit in parts. See this:
https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/npdenheights.pdf

[Lipani]

Big win for San Diego convention center expansion

Supporters of a foundering plan to expand San Diego’s convention center on the waterfront were thrown a lifeboat this week when a Superior Court judge rejected a legal challenge to block the development. The project had once been pegged at $520 million before an appellate court cast a pall over it more than two years ago, calling a financing plan unconstitutional.

Common sense, legal savvy and a new financing plan to the rescue?

Lawyer Cory Briggs, whose victory in the appellate case left the convention center expansion in limbo in 2014, lost this latest round when Superior Court Judge Joel Wohlfeil ruled that the California Coastal Commission’s approval had “exhaustively” addressed coastal access and other required issues.

Wohlfeil won’t make his tentative decision final until after a hearing in March, but his announcement couldn’t have come at a better time for Mayor Kevin Faulconer, who resurrected the idea of a contiguous convention center expansion and proposed a hotel tax hike to pay for it two weeks ago. Faulconer told The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board his new proposal could seek to raise the hotel tax from 12.5 percent to 16 percent and that the revenue would be dedicated to the expansion as well as homelessness programs and street repair.

Those other items should broaden support for the measure, although the devil is always in the details. The editorial board has long embraced the idea of a convention center expansion and urged a public vote on a tax increase. In 2013, we wrote, “The worst-case scenario remains the possibility that the center not be expanded at all. Tens of millions in annual tax revenue, and the creation of thousands of jobs, are at stake.”

The convention center expansion still faces two big hurdles: a competing project on the same site and a public vote that requires two-thirds support from San Diegans. If the first hurdle can be cleared, the second will be tougher. Faulconer should flesh out his idea as soon, fully and publicly as possible.
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/opinion/editorials/sd-san-diego-convention-center-expansion-20170127-story.html

[SDCAL]

It stilll sounds like a long shot (contiguous convention center), but I think it's the best option for the city. A measure that raises the hotel tax to fund a contiguous expansion and fund homeless programs would be great for downtown. The homeless problem keeps getting worse and SD is doing less than other major cities to address it. Helping get people off the streets will be good for them and also good for EV. As for Briggs, that guy is really on a losing streak. First his proposition goes down in flames and now this. Good. He's a parasite. He doesn't give a rat's behind about the environment, he cares about himself and lining his own pockets. The CA coastal commission is pretty thorough and the fact he's trying to argue something they've already approved is ridiculous. It's even more ridiculous that he's against the convention expansion because it would wall-off the bay, but he supports a project that would put a high rise there. What a tool. At least the convention center expansion would have a public rooftop park.

[SDfan]

"The new North Park Community Plan, which covers 2,260 acres, focuses much future development in two nodes: 30th Street and El Cajon Boulevard and 30th Street and University Avenue.

The plan also encourages replacement of housing built between the 1960s and 1980s that community leaders say veers from the area’s traditional architecture.

In addition, the plan includes incentives for pedestrian–oriented projects on the blocks between Lincoln Avenue and Howard Avenue, and transit-oriented projects along Park Boulevard and El Cajon Boulevard.

The new Uptown Community Plan, which covers 2,700 acres, lifts height limits for new construction by rescinding 2008’s interim height ordinance.

The cap remains 50 feet in Mission Hills, but is 65 feet in Bankers Hill and could rise to 150 feet there with a special permit. And in Hillcrest, buildings can be 100 feet tall east of state Route 163 and 120 feet tall in the central part of the community west of the freeway.

The plan also calls for closing a notorious gap in the University Avenue bike path to improve safety and encourage more commuting by bicycle.

In addition to Mission Hills and Hillcrest, Uptown includes Bankers Hill, Park West, Middletown and University Heights.

The new Golden Hill Community Plan, which covers 745 acres, reduces density in the eastern and central parts of the community and in much of South Park. Density increases in the western portion of Golden Hill, particularly near downtown and San Diego City College.

Two local nonprofits, Mission Hills Heritage and Save Our Heritage, sued the city on Jan. 4 to block the new Uptown plan based on concerns its potential environmental effects hadn’t been properly studied."

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/politics/sd-me-new-plans-20170106-story.html

I could be wrong, but NP doesn't have a height limit in parts. See this:
https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/npdenheights.pdf

Nice roundup, thank you. And NP doesn't have height limits in some areas, but the FAR caps limit how tall a build could get realistically.

[Lipani]

The MLS bid is now official. Other cities likely to bid are Charlotte, Cincinnati, Detroit, Nashville, Phoenix, Raleigh, Sacramento, St. Louis, San Antonio and Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg. Four clubs will be accepted into the league.

San Diego Launches MLS Bid

A group of investors that last week proposed building a new stadium in Mission Valley submitted an application Monday for a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in San Diego to league Commissioner Don Garber.

The 24-team MLS is entertaining bids from potential ownership groups to add new members. At a news conference, Garber said he anticipates receiving a dozen applications by Tuesday's deadline, with four to be accepted.

The local bid comes more than two weeks after the National Football League's Chargers announced plans to move to Los Angeles after 56 seasons in San Diego.

City officials are determining how long to keep open Qualcomm Stadium, which is far too large for the MLS and the San Diego State University football team. The Aztecs have a lease through the 2018 season, and are negotiating a two-year extension to provide time to find a new home.

SDSU has been discussing options with the local MLS group, led by investor Mike Stone and Juan Carlos Rodriguez, the president of Univision Deportes. School officials have also been in touch with the Padres about making renovations that would allow football to be played at Petco Park.

At the news conference, Mayor Kevin Faulconer said the city wants to take advantage of an opportunity to remake the 166-acre Qualcomm Stadium property.

"It's an opportunity to create jobs, it's an opportunity to revitalize Mission Valley and become an economic driver that will help us pave streets, keep our neighborhoods safe and do all the things we do in this great city," Faulconer said.

The proposal for the property includes building a stadium of undetermined but smaller seating capacity, tearing down Qualcomm Stadium, creating a park along the San Diego River, and constructing residential and commercial buildings. Backers of the plan said no public money would be required.
http://www.kpbs.org/news/2017/jan/30/mls-to-consider-san-diego/

[Lipani]

Exterior rendering of the proposed stadium:

http://kfmb.images.worldnow.com/images/13019679_G.jpg
CBS8.com (http://www.cbs8.com/story/34381006/investors-submit-application-to-bring-major-league-soccer-to-san-diego)

[ucsbgaucho]

Raiders move to Las Vegas is now in jeopardy
http://www.si.com/nfl/2017/01/30/las-vegas-raiders-stadium-sheldon-adelson-withdraws-investment

Wonder if any wheels are turning in San Diego on this news.

[ChargerCarl]

The San Diego Raiders? As a lifelong Chargers fan I don't know if I could ever root of the Raiders...

[JerellO]

Anyone take construction progress photos in downtown?? This thread needs life lol

[mello]

MLS Take: Stadium looks a bit small for SDSU football especially if they move in to the PAC-12/16 or the Big-12 (Whatever new name is). I would like to see 38k capacity at least for them not just 28 to 30k.

RAIDERS: I think you guys are underestimated how huge the brand is. It's a top 12 sporting brand in the World! If they come here and win, which it looks like they are set for the next 5 to 7 years for a nice run, the exposure for San Diego will be epic:yes: It will bring tons of attention to our region that a giant tourism marketing budget could never bring.

Let's think big and encourage Faulconer/Roberts/Sherman to court the Raiders. I have already emailed and tweeted all of them. Raiders2SD get it done. :cheers:

[Derek]

I'm also a lifelong Chargers fan (but I am no longer a fan) and I'd welcome the Raiders with open arms if they came to San Diego.

[Boatguy619]

The Raiders will never move to SD.The owners are still relying on SD fans to travel north to watch the Chargers. The Raiders in SD would jeopardize that.

[Lipani]

Anyone take construction progress photos in downtown?? This thread needs life lol

A few from earlier today. :tup:

Intercon:

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/850x637q90/924/gfmGzd.jpg

Intercon/Pacific Gate:

http://imageshack.com/a/img924/407/dSYC0k.jpg

Pacific Gate:

http://imageshack.com/a/img923/4173/HlI4tR.jpg

Savina? (Kettner & Ash):

http://imageshack.com/a/img922/6346/hA76vJ.jpg

Ballpark Village:

http://imageshack.com/a/img922/503/xzgaHD.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img923/8531/eRI8Dd.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img923/8462/EtQFNy.jpg

Alexan Tower (13th & K):

http://imageshack.com/a/img923/2429/UwKXzI.jpg

Pendry Hotel (looks like it opens in a few days):

http://imageshack.com/a/img922/1816/lVJGnk.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img922/297/CWY9yr.jpg

[HurricaneHugo]

What's the height for Ballpark village?

[Lipani]

What's the height for Ballpark village?

It's probably about 250 feet right now. I believe the completed height will be 410 feet.

[Streamliner]

Nice to see cladding on Ballpark Village, and Alexan is a lot farther along than I thought.

Wow, Pacific Gate is looking really good! Though I wish it were tied with One America as tallest in the city. Is it topped out already? I like the yellow netting (?) that they've been using on it. I'm also probably the only one that likes the bright yellow on Lane Field though.

[joemamma]

Anyone take construction progress photos in downtown?? This thread needs life lol

I agree! I have a ton (I'm dt a lot) but can't for the life of me fig out how to post them. Sorry gang I'm not that smart. Can someone break it down for this dumb dumb? Thanks!

[Bertrice]

this twitter account has a lot of downtown pics


https://twitter.com/SanDiegoLive1

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C3ZapN6UoAEJQZ5.jpg

[superfishy]

Nice to see cladding on Ballpark Village, and Alexan is a lot farther along than I thought.

Wow, Pacific Gate is looking really good! Though I wish it were tied with One America as tallest in the city. Is it topped out already? I like the yellow netting (?) that they've been using on it. I'm also probably the only one that likes the bright yellow on Lane Field though.

The color scheme reminds me a bit of the architecture used in the video game Mirror's Edge. I also like it.

[JerellO]

A few from earlier today


Thank you!! :) much needed

[Derek]

The Pacific Gate tower is one of the best things to happen downtown in a long time.

[eburress]

The Pacific Gate tower is one of the best things to happen downtown in a long time.

I agree!

[embora]

I agree! I have a ton (I'm dt a lot) but can't for the life of me fig out how to post them. Sorry gang I'm not that smart. Can someone break it down for this dumb dumb? Thanks!

You need to upload photos first to a flicker account (or equivalent), copy the link to one of your photos, click on the yellow "insert image" icon with a mountain (here in skyscraperpage), and then past the URL.