SAN DIEGO | Boom Rundown, Vol. 2

[mello]

They have been working on this Horton project for a long time now. When is it finally supposed to open. For example the RADD Labs project is almost finished and that started way after Horton. It's supposed to have a bunch of restaurants which downtown is already oversaturated with. I really hope some office workers fill up the space. I'm really excited for 2 40 floor towers there. Will be an awesome addition to skyline.

Has anyone heard what is up with the Ball Park Storage development? We were anticipating that would have broken ground by now.

[Jhanson312]

They have been working on this Horton project for a long time now. When is it finally supposed to open. For example the RADD Labs project is almost finished and that started way after Horton. It's supposed to have a bunch of restaurants which downtown is already oversaturated with. I really hope some office workers fill up the space. I'm really excited for 2 40 floor towers there. Will be an awesome addition to skyline.

Has anyone heard what is up with the Ball Park Storage development? We were anticipating that would have broken ground by now.

I heard it’s slated to open next summer but that’s if they have 60% retail and 10% office space leased out. I think it will be, as they already a number of tenants signed.

[Jhanson312]

Chula Vista Gaylord Pacific Resort coming along well. Does anyone have information on the residential towers coming to the Chula Vista bayfront?
https://coolsandiegosights.files.wordpress.com/2023/12/img_8081-1.jpg

[SDfan]

^^^ Damn I need to take a drive down there and check it out. That's exciting to see!

And no idea about the rest of the bay front's development. I remember there being some proposals years ago from the controlling entity, Pacifica, but no concrete news since then. Here is a link to the residential component from Pacifica's architects: http://super3studio.us/amara-bay/

Also, Merry Christmas, everyone! Looking forward to new development news next year :)

[SamFlood]

A few photos of Downtown projects

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53423438621_00ee701d91_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53423863960_abdda6ea67_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53423866480_cf097024d1_h.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53423865575_eee4e05415_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53422511832_382029806c_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53423865160_6cca824d48_b.jpg

[Streamliner]

Mostly vacant office complex in downtown San Diego will be converted into hotel and residential buildings

BY JENNIFER VAN GROVE
JAN. 3, 2024 10:35 AM PT
Link to Article (https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/story/2024-01-03/mostly-vacant-office-complex-in-downtown-san-diego-will-be-converted-into-hotel-and-residential-buildings)

https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1abd308/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5472x3648+0+0/resize/1200x800!/format/webp/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F8b%2F44%2Fa92fbccd422db2564ee505f083a3%2Ft180-148.jpg

The recently renovated Tower 180 office complex at 180 Broadway Ave. has a new owner that plans to spend $140 million to convert the downtown San Diego property into a hotel and residential property, while maintaining the existing ground-floor shops.

Last month, San Diego-based hotel developer J Street Space purchased the 386,000 square-foot office property, which includes a 25-story skyscraper and a contiguous eight-story annex, as well as a parking garage. The developer bought the complex, under the entity T180 SD Owner LLC, from Hammer Ventures for $61 million, property record records show.

Tower 180’s change in use is a marked departure for a complex that just a few years ago was completely refashioned with an all-new, distinctive glass facade and interior upgrades meant to give the 61-year-old facility fresh appeal to modern office tenants.

“I think at this point, it’s a one-off (office conversion). It’s hard to say if it’s going to create a trend,” Ohl said. “I think (there is) going to be a piecemeal approach to the individual properties that might be targeted for such conversion opportunities, simply because some properties are not going to be able to financially pencil out.”

[Streamliner]

Navy chooses local team to redevelop NAVWAR property

BY JENNIFER VAN GROVE
JAN. 9, 2024 6 AM PT

Link to article (https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/story/2024-01-09/navy-manchester-edgemoor-navwar-midway)

Manchester/Edgemoor selection concludes long, tightly controlled real estate competition for 70-acre Midway area

The United States Navy has selected a development team led by San Diego-based Manchester Financial Group and McLean, Virgina-based Edgemoor Infrastructure and Real Estate to replace its obsolete NAVWAR facilities and remake the rest of the 70.3-acre military campus in San Diego’s Midway District with private development.

The selection brings to an end a more than year-long, tightly controlled competition for the expansive property, which consists of two large parcels straddling Pacific Highway.

Owned by the Navy since the mid-1990s, the Naval Base Point Loma, Old Town Complex — commonly known as NAVWAR — is home to the military’s Naval Information Warfare Systems Command and Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific divisions. The groups represent a mix of 5,000 full-time and contract cybersecurity professionals who currently work in World War II-era hangars that are said to be past their useful life.

The environmental report, required by the National Environmental Policy Act, has been on a hiatus pending the outcome of the solicitation process. It considered up to 19.6 million square feet of total development with as many as 10,000 residential units, two hotels and millions of square feet of commercial and retail space spread across 109 buildings, with towers stretching as high as 350 feet. The lowest-density alternative studied in the report includes 4,400 residential units, one hotel and 106 total buildings, some up to 240 feet high.

https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ed919ff/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3760x2117+0+0/resize/1200x676!/format/webp/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1c%2F0c%2F2175d60c4afba923c1764bf12d5a%2Fnavwar-building-10.jpg

[SDCAL]

Manchester’s record of uninspired, outdated designs, sitting on things for years, and abandoning projects doesn’t make me too optimistic I’ll see anything good there in my lifetime.

[ht-freak]

There's a Youtube video about the Amara Bay project. I've driven by there. They've starting grading the dirt.

[dl3000]

Manchester’s record of uninspired, outdated designs, sitting on things for years, and abandoning projects doesn’t make me too optimistic I’ll see anything good there in my lifetime.

ditto

[Streamliner]

https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6c49b5b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1600x900+0+0/resize/1200x675!/format/webp/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1e%2F4c%2F485ea7884520b6cda066972d0cb9%2Fimg-0863.jpg
A new six-story building is proposed in downtown San Diego to house one man

BY PHILLIP MOLNAR
JAN. 19, 2024 1:40 PM PT

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/story/2024-01-19/six-story-condo-downtown-san-diego


Masri’s plan calls for roughly 750 square feet of retail space on the first floor and five stories for himself a few blocks from Seaport Village. The plan is now being reviewed by the city for a coastal development permit, and has made its way through most approvals over a roughly two-year process.

It’s possible someone could appeal the project, which would send the proposal to the Planning Commission. But Masri’s planned building doesn’t violate any downtown building codes.

Designs call for 1,149-square-feet floors, complete with a bathroom, elevator and staircase. There will also be a 870-square-foot roof deck, which Masri said he would like to turn into some sort of green roof. The ground, fifth and sixth floors will have 14-foot ceilings. The middle floors will have 9-foot ceilings.

Plans leave space for a billboard on the side facing Harbor Drive, which could be in demand during Comic-Con International, given its proximity to the Convention Center.

It’s unclear if the property would ever be split into residences because the city has strict rules on the number of stair exits. The current design only has one staircase, which is fine for a single residence, but there would need to be a second set if floors were split into multiple residences. Given the size of the lot, Masri said adding the extra staircase would make the building “useless and full of stairs.”

This is kind of a funny headline, but it actually brings up an interesting point about single-staircase laws. This is a hot topic in planning/housing advocate circles. Small lots like this are underutilized because of (some say) outdated safety regulations regarding the number of staircases allowed for multi-story/multi-unit buildings. We are forced to design expensive, oversized developments because smaller lots can't afford to use space on multiple staircases.

[Derek]

Somewhat related…

What’s up with that 2 story gated house (?) that’s located directly next door to this site at 619 Kettner? Is that a residence? Does someone live there? I’ve wondered what it was ever since I was a kid. Google Maps says it’s “Essel Enterprises” which appears to be some kind of consultation service? Google search doesn’t return many results.

[HurricaneHugo]

Well that was quite the storm...

Anyways, has anybody looked at the 2025 Regional Plan?

[aekrid]

https://i.imgur.com/DtbvSBg.jpg
The Lindley
Up to the 33rd Floor only 4 more floors to go.

https://imgur.com/4InKvTj.jpg
The Torrey (Front and A)
Project has a name now. Podium under construction.

https://i.imgur.com/UhVYgWG.jpg
1st & Beech
Crane is up on site now that was fast.

[Jhanson312]

40-Story Residential High Rise Set to be Built on Site of Storage Building Near Ballpark
Times of San Diego
02-08-24

“ A 40-story residential development near Petco Park is set to break ground in early 2025, bringing nearly 450 homes to downtown San Diego.”

“We acknowledge that San Diego has long been a car-dependent city, but we are confident the mindset will change as downtown continues to urbanize.” -Cresleigh Homes

https://i0.wp.com/timesofsandiego.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/0.rise_.jpg?ssl=1
https://timesofsandiego.com/business/2024/02/08/40-story-residential-high-rise-set-to-be-built-on-site-of-storage-building-near-ballpark/

[mello]

Early 2025 for groundbreaking of Ball Park storage? Um I hope that is a typo. This development has been approved for what a year and a half now? I hope it is more like early 2024 to this summer ground breaking. By early 2025 there could be major economic problems with the commercial real estate and banking sectors.

A tall building in that spot will somewhat make up for the absence of 7th and Market for skyline affect. I am still so mad that the Ritz never materialized such a blow to skyline potential and urban impact on that part of DT.

Does anyone find it strange that downtown LA had so many towers built by Chinese money and SD got zero? You would have thought they would look 100 miles south and say oh here is another booming urban zone that is open to highrise development. San Diego must be on their radar with so many of the elites children going to UCSD lol :haha:

[Streamliner]

Does anyone find it strange that downtown LA had so many towers built by Chinese money and SD got zero? You would have thought they would look 100 miles south and say oh here is another booming urban zone that is open to highrise development. San Diego must be on their radar with so many of the elites children going to UCSD lol :haha:

Aren't those abandoned tagged towers in downtown LA vacant because of dried up Chinese money? I suppose they made a mark on the skyline at least.

[futuresooner]

They can just buy a condo at Coronado Shores and overlook WARCOM & the BUD/S kids in the sand.

[negentropic behavior]

Signs of life at 13th and Broadway (14 story residential project designed by JWDA

https://jwdainc.com/civic-san-diego-unanimously-approves-design-for-13th-broadway/

Heavy machinery on site is drilling around the perimeter for shoring. Glad to see some activity around this area-- so many vacant blocks just sitting empty since they demolished the Salvation Army Rehab Center, and their Thrift Store, not to mention the big hole in the ground across the street from 1080 Park Blvd.

[SDCAL]

Early 2025 for groundbreaking of Ball Park storage? Um I hope that is a typo. This development has been approved for what a year and a half now? I hope it is more like early 2024 to this summer ground breaking. By early 2025 there could be major economic problems with the commercial real estate and banking sectors.

A tall building in that spot will somewhat make up for the absence of 7th and Market for skyline affect. I am still so mad that the Ritz never materialized such a blow to skyline potential and urban impact on that part of DT.

Early 2025 seems about right, it’s already 2 months into 2024 and the storage facility is still in operation. They need to give people a period of time to vacate. Not sure if people have already been notified or not? That site will need a LOT of work. I used to have a storage unit there, and that building is disgusting. There’s human/rodent urine soaked through and the place has a musty odor which is why I left. Items I stored there had a stench even months after I took them out of storage. Also, when I went to my storage unit, I saw people actually living in storage units there. I’m guessing they will gut it and keep the facade?

Not sure if that project will make-up for the ritz not moving forward, that was a HUGE blow and I feel like East Village continues to deteriorate. Also, the target not moving forward was another big blow.

There is an article in the Union Tribune about a Whole Foods store going into this development at A and Front street (I don’t subscribe so can’t post the full article):

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/story/2024-02-21/whole-foods-market-planned-for-front-a-skyscraper-project-in-downtown-san-diego

Seems like Little Italy area is where a lot of investment is happening, I’m worried retail developers have given-up on East Village.

[Streamliner]

Yes Little Italy is definitely where the investment and people are nowadays. Hopefully East Village can start getting back to where it should be, but the homeless issue is really a deterrent for everyone out there.

Here's a snippet from the Whole Foods article:

Whole Foods Market planned for Front & A skyscraper project in downtown San Diego
BY JENNIFER VAN GROVE
FEB. 21, 2024 11:21 AM PT
Link to Article (https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/story/2024-02-21/whole-foods-market-planned-for-front-a-skyscraper-project-in-downtown-san-diego)

https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c2793d7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3400x3800+0+0/resize/1200x1341!/format/webp/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F92%2F6d%2Fade9e59f45dcb7655de5373fc4e5%2Fr-c-ne-02.jpg

The high-end grocery tenant is set to take over roughly 50,000 square feet of ground-floor and mezzanine space at the base of the 34-story, residential tower, according to a permit application submitted to the city of San Diego in December.

Holland Partner Group’s Front & A high-rise, which is under construction, is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2026 and is meant to complement the developer’s nearly finished West apartment and office complex just a block away.

Front & A is described in architectural plans submitted to the city as a 343-foot-tall tower with commercial space and 450 residential units, 19 of which will be deed-restricted for very low-income families making 50 percent or less of the area median income. The building will have 693 parking spaces — 518 spaces reserved for residents and 175 spaces reserved for shoppers — spread across two levels of underground parking and six levels of above-ground, enclosed parking.

[Jhanson312]

Speaking of East Village… is there any updates on the Tailgate Park development? I know they said groundbreaking wouldn’t commence until late 2024 to late 2025, but I’ve haven’t heard a peep about it in a long time.

[JSW]

Yes Little Italy is definitely where the investment and people are nowadays. Hopefully East Village can start getting back to where it should be, but the homeless issue is really a deterrent for everyone out there.


While East Village has more problems and dead areas than Little Italy, I wouldn't say it's very accurate to say that Little Italy is where the investment and people are. It's more of a split especially in terms of investment. There are just as much highrise housing development on both fronts if you look at the past 4-5 years - East Village is just a much larger area so it's not as concentrated. And it's also getting an incredible expensive park and community center - currently under construction. Little Italy definitely has the crowds for their restaurant scene though - no doubt about that.

[Streamliner]

While East Village has more problems and dead areas than Little Italy, I wouldn't say it's very accurate to say that Little Italy is where the investment and people are. It's more of a split especially in terms of investment. There are just as much highrise housing development on both fronts if you look at the past 4-5 years - East Village is just a much larger area so it's not as concentrated. And it's also getting an incredible expensive park and community center - currently under construction. Little Italy definitely has the crowds for their restaurant scene though - no doubt about that.

Yeah I was referring to the concentration of development in Little Italy. Though even then I think some of those projects in Columbia/Core are being advertised as Little Italy, which skews perceptions a bit.

[Jhanson312]

Just wanted to say that The Lindley looks awesome. It with Simone, changes the skyline pretty dramatically when you’re on the 5 going south into downtown (Haven’t driven down there in ages). For the first time, it actually felt like I was driving into a major city.

[JSW]

Just wanted to say that The Lindley looks awesome. It with Simone, changes the skyline pretty dramatically when you’re on the 5 going south into downtown (Haven’t driven down there in ages). For the first time, it actually felt like I was driving into a major city.

1st and Beech will probably have the most dramatic impact. It'll only be a bit over 200ft, but it will look more prominent from that angle due to the location. Front and A will also flesh things out even more from that perspective.

[aekrid]

The Lindley looks close to topping out soon. Should be working on the 37th floor.
https://i.imgur.com/uvUhG96.jpeg

Columbia and A crane is up, foundation might happen soon.
https://i.imgur.com/B0osagv.jpeg

[dirt patch]

Early 2025 for groundbreaking of Ball Park storage? Um I hope that is a typo. This development has been approved for what a year and a half now? I hope it is more like early 2024 to this summer ground breaking. By early 2025 there could be major economic problems with the commercial real estate and banking sectors.

A tall building in that spot will somewhat make up for the absence of 7th and Market for skyline affect. I am still so mad that the Ritz never materialized such a blow to skyline potential and urban impact on that part of DT.

Does anyone find it strange that downtown LA had so many towers built by Chinese money and SD got zero? You would have thought they would look 100 miles south and say oh here is another booming urban zone that is open to highrise development. San Diego must be on their radar with so many of the elites children going to UCSD lol :haha:
And Downtown San jose got 4 high rises built by Chinese money.

[dirt patch]

Early 2025 for groundbreaking of Ball Park storage? Um I hope that is a typo. This development has been approved for what a year and a half now? I hope it is more like early 2024 to this summer ground breaking. By early 2025 there could be major economic problems with the commercial real estate and banking sectors.

A tall building in that spot will somewhat make up for the absence of 7th and Market for skyline affect. I am still so mad that the Ritz never materialized such a blow to skyline potential and urban impact on that part of DT.

Does anyone find it strange that downtown LA had so many towers built by Chinese money and SD got zero? You would have thought they would look 100 miles south and say oh here is another booming urban zone that is open to highrise development. San Diego must be on their radar with so many of the elites children going to UCSD lol :haha:
Don't pity this downtown since the Canadian developers and Holland Partner fell in love with your downtown and put so much money investing and building in your downtown. I wish Downtown SJ would get some love from the Canadian developers. They build towers regardless of the costs and market conditions. Downtown San Jose got some development from different developers from England, China, LA, locals and perhaps Westbank from Vancouver which is now rehabbing the landmark Bank of Italy building. Since Dt. SJ has fewer development than your downtown, it has been creative by adding a lot of cool entertainment, nightlife, art and murals. It also focused on mid rises to fill out the downtown, and it's working nicely since it's the second or third most recovered downtown in the country. You guys should consider your downtown is so lucky to have these Canadian and Pacific Northwest developers as your downtown's best partner; otherwise, say "hello to 1978 downtown again." Most other downtowns are not as lucky as your downtown in terms of seeing quite a few high rises getting underway in the middle of the downturn for real estate nationwide.

[Streamliner]

The Lindley looks close to topping out soon. Should be working on the 37th floor.
https://i.imgur.com/uvUhG96.jpeg


This shot makes it look like the Lindley has a slight taper. I like it but I'm pretty sure it's just the camera lens.

[aekrid]

This shot makes it look like the Lindley has a slight taper. I like it but I'm pretty sure it's just the camera lens.

It's just the perspective.
Also anybody have any idea what's goin on at 5th/Ash. Parking lot has been torn up and looks like they are driving piles down, far more work than I'd expect for a simple lot repavement. No info online.

[TimeToBuild]

It's just the perspective.
Also anybody have any idea what's goin on at 5th/Ash. Parking lot has been torn up and looks like they are driving piles down, far more work than I'd expect for a simple lot repavement. No info online.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/tourism/story/2019-05-24/its-a-go-for-new-16-story-hotel-in-downtowns-cortez-hill


New Hotel

[dirt patch]

Bosa will build Symphony condo tower instead of apt.. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/story/2024-03-20/downtown-40-story-apartment-project-changes-course-will-become-condos

[Streamliner]

Bosa will build Symphony condo tower instead of apt.. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/story/2024-03-20/downtown-40-story-apartment-project-changes-course-will-become-condos


Downtown 40-story apartment project changes course, will become condos

BY PHILLIP MOLNAR
MARCH 20, 2024

https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e758fa6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1920x1765+0+0/resize/1200x1103!/format/webp/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc1%2Fdd%2F5533f8f9405d84fb3b56ed65a13b%2Fbosa.jpg

An apartment complex being built in downtown San Diego is changing course nearly two years into its construction and will now become condos.
British Columbia-based developer Bosa Development submitted plans this week to change the 40-story apartment building into a 389-unit condominium tower. Bemi Jauhal, a vice president at Bosa, said the decision was made because the company believed condominiums would deliver a better return on investment than apartments and therefore saw the change as a good opportunity.

“There is a lack of condo supply” in downtown San Diego, she said.

Construction started on the project in 2022, and it remains a big hole in the ground at the moment. Work at the site, near the Symphony Towers building on B Street, has been paused for several months as Bosa applies for new permits.

My question is how tall is this building? The Downtown Activity Map (https://webmaps.sandiego.gov/portal/apps/storymaps/stories/826d9f690a354f6a9634d7559e5a4d98) states 503 feet, but that can't be correct. I assume it's 503 above sea level but I'd like to know the exact height above ground.

[Charmy2]

[SIZE="3"]
My question is how tall is this building? The Downtown Activity Map (https://webmaps.sandiego.gov/portal/apps/storymaps/stories/826d9f690a354f6a9634d7559e5a4d98) states 503 feet, but that can't be correct. I assume it's 503 above sea level but I'd like to know the exact height above ground.

I assume it's 503 above sea level because San Diego has some pretty strict FAA laws but if my some miracle it is the actual height, San Diego might be getting a new tallest building. I'm so glad at least one major city in California is having a ton of high-rises actively under construction!

[Will O' Wisp]

I assume it's 503 above sea level because San Diego has some pretty strict FAA laws but if my some miracle it is the actual height, San Diego might be getting a new tallest building. I'm so glad at least one major city in California is having a ton of high-rises actively under construction!

Sadly no, the twin towers at 15th and J are already 520 feet above sea level. A good portion of that are a set of cranes on both towers though, the roofline is just a hair over 500 feet MSL iirc.

Was an unusual set of circumstances that lead to that actually. Previously the Symphony Towers had been the highest buildings in downtown, but midway through design the engineers in the twin towers discovered a fault line splitting the lot in two. They ended up having to shrink the ground footprint of both towers, and make them a tad bit taller.

That ended up pushing the height above sea level above Symphony, which meant they had to do some extra aviation safety studies, something the developers had been hoping to avoid. But all's well that ends well I suppose.

[JSW]

Do we know if the conversion to condos will have further implications beyond change of floor plans and layout? Surely it's not any massing changes since they've already started laying the groundwork?

I live close to the site, so I'm eager to watch construction resume and see the neighborhood further densify :cheers:

[Jhanson312]

Looks like West Chula Vista finally will see more development.

https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/developers-flock-to-the-south-bay-to-join-gaylord-pacific-on-chula-vistas-bayfront/3469282/

[superfishy]

Looks like West Chula Vista finally will see more development.

https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/developers-flock-to-the-south-bay-to-join-gaylord-pacific-on-chula-vistas-bayfront/3469282/

"With MountainWest Real Estate of Chula Vista as the primary developer, the Bayview Point project is designed to include a 22-story apartment tower with 288 apartments, a 19-story residential tower with 216 apartments, and a 400-room hotel with 37 for-sale condominium units on the top floor of the 24-story building."

https://www.sdbj.com/featured/900m-bayview-point-coming-to-chula-vista/

[Splosivo945]

Do we know if the conversion to condos will have further implications beyond change of floor plans and layout? Surely it's not any massing changes since they've already started laying the groundwork?

I live close to the site, so I'm eager to watch construction resume and see the neighborhood further densify :cheers:

I'd heard that they were trying to reduce the parking footprint in favor for more units as they'd now be entitled to the newer transit proximity bonus

[Streamliner]

Benefactor steps in to help San Diego entice developers to remake downtown’s Civic Center

The Prebys Foundation is paying real estate consultant U3 Advisors to come up with a big-picture vision for six city-owned blocks in the heart of downtown

Union-Tribune
BY JENNIFER VAN GROVE
APRIL 2, 2024 5:30 AM PT
Link to Article (https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/story/2024-04-02/benefactor-steps-in-to-help-san-diego-entice-developers-to-remake-downtowns-civic-center)

A prominent philanthropic organization has cut a $303,000 check to hire an outside consultant to help San Diego sidestep repeat failure as it seeks to secure developer interest in remaking the city’s Civic Center real estate.

On Tuesday, the Prebys Foundation and the Downtown San Diego Partnership announced that they’ve hired Philadelphia-based real estate consulting and urban planning firm U3 Advisors to come up with a big-picture vision for the six downtown blocks that the city intends to once again market for sale or lease later this year.

The effort brings back to the surface Mayor Todd Gloria’s push for a “once-in-a-generation” transformation of San Diego’s municipal core. The idea is to not only offload the city’s deteriorating buildings and underused land, but to find a private development team to create a new hub of activity and hundreds of homes in the city’s core. The land transaction would then help fund the construction or purchase of a brand-new City Hall facility to house the city’s downtown workforce.

But the Civic Center Revitalization solicitation, as it was called, failed to attract developer interest, save for two parties interested in the Ash Street tower.

The lack of interest was due in part to California’s Surplus Land Act, which regulates how municipal agencies offload excess land and prioritizes the production of housing for low-income families. At a minimum, interested developers were required to set aside 25 percent of proposed units as affordable units, meaning deed-restricted for families making 80 percent or less of the area median income.

In recent weeks, the city has telegraphed its intent to try again.

The timing is contingent, however, on two key decisions. The city must first decide whether it wants to continue negotiating with the developer proposing to convert 101 Ash into apartments. It must also determine whether it wants to build an all-new City Hall complex or buy an existing property. The latter choice will see the city either retain the City Operations Building block at 1222 First Ave. for a future skyscraper or free up that land for sale or lease.

In the interim, U3 Advisors will craft creative concepts for the municipal blocks that retain their civic nature.

[Nerv]

Does anyone here know if the Coronado Bridge Lighting Project is still alive? Have not heard a peep about it for awhile now.I know a lot of projects go dark for a bit before we hear they are a go so not sure if this one is still in a process.