SAN DIEGO | Boom Rundown, Vol. 2

[dl3000]

The removal of Harbor Drive seems unlikely in general. It doesn't have to go to get a great park on the embarcadero though.

[Crackertastik]

i know it is unlikely, but that rendering looks like it is gone. Unless that brownish path right up next tot he waterfront is harbor drive that has been vastly downsized.

[SDfan]

Check out these renderings for Two America Plaza:

http://www.scb.com/?mainpage=2&pagetype=Architecture&p=74&firstlevel=1&seclevel=2

Also 880 West Broadway:

http://www.orchidsandonions.org/category/building-category/architecture

[Derek]

That's the first time I've seen that Two America Plaza rendering.



It looks nice!

[brantw]

It would be so sweet if they built that!!! I live in the building across the street!!!

[SDfan]

Here is the proposed US Navy Building:

http://www.scb.com/?mainpage=2&pagetype=Architecture&p=301&firstlevel=5&seclevel=7

[staplesla]

Check out these renderings for Two America Plaza:

http://www.scb.com/?mainpage=2&pagetype=Architecture&p=74&firstlevel=1&seclevel=2



Last I heard Two American Plaza had fallen apart, and the land instead was to be a park.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/mar/01/1m1plaza222512-ccdc-scratching-head-over-park-plan/?metro

[SDfan]

^^ Well it looks like the park proposal feel apart as well. Who knows what they are going to build there. The office tower project looks fairly new though, I wonder if Irvine contracted them for it.

[HurricaneHugo]

880 West Broadway looks awful.

[SDfan]

880 West Broadway looks awful.

I agree. It would be fine if it was further in the Core District. Big, blocky buildings thrive in that canyon environment. But on the bayfront? I don't think so...

[Derek]

Here is the proposed US Navy Building:

http://www.scb.com/?mainpage=2&pagetype=Architecture&p=301&firstlevel=5&seclevel=7



I like the reflecting pool idea. The building looks nice.

[Filambata]

Check out these renderings for Two America Plaza:

http://www.scb.com/?mainpage=2&pagetype=Architecture&p=74&firstlevel=1&seclevel=2

Also 880 West Broadway:

http://www.orchidsandonions.org/category/building-category/architecture

The renderings of the Two America Plaza look awesome. I love how OAP is reflecting off of TAP!

http://www.scb.com/images/project/74/view2-more%20reflective.jpghttp://www.scb.com/images/project/74/view1-more%20reflective.jpg

[tdavis]

Last I heard Two American Plaza had fallen apart, and the land instead was to be a park.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/mar/01/1m1plaza222512-ccdc-scratching-head-over-park-plan/?metro

FYI guys, Two American Plaza bldg. and park fell apart a while back. No point to talk a building that won't happen.

[HurricaneHugo]

Why do you guys have to ruin our fun?

[brantw]

Seriously...

[SDfan]

This will be interesting. I'm definitely excited for it!

http://www.flycpair.com/

[SDfan]

This is also promising:

http://www.sdbj.com/news/2010/aug/16/minor-league-baseball-team-becoming-major-topic-re/

[Derek]

This is also promising:

http://www.sdbj.com/news/2010/aug/16/minor-league-baseball-team-becoming-major-topic-re/




I was looking forward to watching the Beavers play at PGE Park next year when I move to Portland... :(



I guess I'll have to stick to the MLS team they're getting and the Trail Blazers. :(

[Derek]

http://www.10news.com/news/24684545/detail.html

[SDfan]

20 million dollars? Jesus.

And what is going to happen to all of those investments once HSR comes downtown and they've buried/lowered all of the train traffic below ground?

I guess this is an interim solution. Expensive still...

[eburress]

20 million dollars? Jesus.

And what is going to happen to all of those investments once HSR comes downtown and they've buried/lowered all of the train traffic below ground?

I guess this is an interim solution. Expensive still...

Rest easy - HSR is never coming downtown. Never.

That's what I thought though. $20M+ for intersection improvements seems like a lot of money.

[sandiegodweller]

The renderings of the Two America Plaza look awesome. I love how OAP is reflecting off of TAP!

http://www.scb.com/images/project/74/view2-more%20reflective.jpghttp://www.scb.com/images/project/74/view1-more%20reflective.jpg

The Irvine Company is defaulting on downtown buildings. As someone else mentioned, both of these are dead.

[bmfarley]

Rest easy - HSR is never coming downtown. Never.

That's what I thought though. $20M+ for intersection improvements seems like a lot of money.

When all is taken into consideration.... probably not. Several intersctions will have major improvements. One street will be converted from 2-way to 1-way. A couple streets might be widened a marginal amount at crossings to provide room for raised center medians... and relocated and new crossing gates installed. Additionally, a lot of communications equipment located along railway to tell gates when to go up or down need to be relocated too... or new altogether.

[HurricaneHugo]

I was looking forward to watching the Beavers play at PGE Park next year when I move to Portland... :(



I guess I'll have to stick to the MLS team they're getting and the Trail Blazers. :(

Even if the Beavers stay in Portland they won't play in PGE Park anymore as it's being converted to soccer/football only.

Also if I were CEO of the Padres I'd move the Padres to somewhere in southern Riverside county to try to steal some of the Angels fanbase.

[HurricaneHugo]

This is a cool video of our freeways in '75:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7FtlrQr7nk&fmt=6

And a cool picture site:

http://members.cox.net/mkpl2/hist/sdhist.html

[Derek]

Even if the Beavers stay in Portland they won't play in PGE Park anymore as it's being converted to soccer/football only.

Also if I were CEO of the Padres I'd move the Padres to somewhere in southern Riverside county to try to steal some of the Angels fanbase.



Oh I know that, I was just being sarcastic. :P


I'm looking forward to the MLS coming to Portland! :D




Why would you move the Padres?!!??! Did you mean Beavers? :P

[Derek]

This is a cool video of our freeways in '75:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7FtlrQr7nk&fmt=6

And a cool picture site:

http://members.cox.net/mkpl2/hist/sdhist.html



That was freaking awesome! Especially the video!

[SDfan]

This is a cool video of our freeways in '75:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7FtlrQr7nk&fmt=6

And a cool picture site:

http://members.cox.net/mkpl2/hist/sdhist.html


The video really shows you how little some things have changed in SD. 35 years and some of those shots are my commute to a "T".

Thank you for sharing.

[staplesla]

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders and Qualcomm co-founder Irwin Jacobs unveiled a $33 million plan Monday to remove cars from Balboa Park’s main square, but the price for creating a pedestrian-only zone might be to charge for parking in the park for the first time.

The plan, which would require City Council approval, calls for removing the 67 parking spaces in the Plaza de Panama and building a two-level parking garage with up to 900 spaces south of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.

Jacobs, who has donated tens of millions of dollars to local causes, said he has formed an 11-member committee to raise the necessary funds. But he said if they come up short, the city might have to issue a bond and charge for parking in the garage to cover bond payments. Neither Jacobs nor any of his committee publicly pledged what they will contribute to the effort. But the group has several generous donors who have backed other park improvements.

“There are many people who would prefer not (to pay for parking),” Jacobs said. But considering the time wasted in looking for spaces on busy days, “I would much prefer to pay a parking fee if it comes down to that.”

Sanders and Jacobs want to complete the transformation in time for the 2015 centennial of the Panama-California Exposition that made the park into the city’s crown jewel and cultural hub it is today.

The focus Monday was not on parking fees but on the vision of returning the plaza to what it was like as a pedestrian-only zone for the 1915 exposition and the 1935-36 California Pacific International Exposition that left behind the Old Globe Theatre, Starlight Bowl and the Air & Space Museum.

Parking has been allowed in the plaza since 1917 — aside from during the two World Wars, when the park was taken over by soldiers and sailors — and many master plans have called in vain for it to be eliminated.

“The plaza was designed as a grand, ceremonial space, a gathering place for visitors and a hub of cultural activities in the heart of Balboa Park,” Sanders said. “As you can see, previous generations traded in that vision and all they got in return was a few dozen parking spots and a steady drone of automobiles searching for an empty spot.”

The city last tried to impose a $5 parking fee in Balboa Park and at the beaches to fill a budget hole in 1993. But public outcries prompted the City Council to reverse itself and raise parking fines instead.

This time, charging for parking in a garage might be acceptable, said park activist Betty Peabody, who sits on Jacobs’ committee representing the Friends of Balboa Park.

“There’s a time and place for everything,” she said.

Leo Wilson, chairman of the Uptown Planners group that will review the Jacobs plan, said parking fees in a garage might be acceptable if free spaces continue to be available elsewhere.

“I’m not necessarily putting a big, red flag up,” Wilson said.

Richard Rider, chairman of San Diego Tax Fighters, said he also could accept a parking charge but cautioned that the city will have to find alternate funding sources if parking revenues come up short.

The parking issue is just one of many that Jacobs and his committee will have to address as public presentations begin next month before the Balboa Park Committee. Some key areas include:

• Traffic: The plan envisions only eastbound traffic across the Cabrillo Bridge. Visitors would have to exit via Presidents Way and Park Boulevard and return on surface streets or freeways to their westside origins.

• Fountain: Under the proposal, the fountain donated by the late Mary Elizabeth North in the 1990s would be moved from the center of the plaza to the Plaza de California outside the San Diego Museum of Man. Mark Johnson of Civitas, who has been hired to develop the Jacobs plan, said the fountain, while called for in the park master plan, is not typical of Spanish-style plazas and was not a feature in the park at the time of the expositions.

• Public art: Jacobs said the plaza might be a suitable place for the sculptures in the San Diego Museum of Art’s sculpture garden. If that takes place, museum board President Tom Gildred, a member of Jacobs’ committee, said the museum could then proceed to build a new wing — something park supporters have supported as long as it is modeled after the 1915 Science of Man Building that was demolished in the 1960s to make way for the museum’s present west wing.

• Future plaza: If the Plaza de Panama becomes pedestrian only, some park activists want to move on to another goal in the park master plan and replace parking at the Pan American Plaza with reconstruction of the fountains and landscaping that existed at the 1935-36 exposition. The new garage would be large enough to compensate for lost parking in this area outside the Starlight Bowl and Air & Space Museum.

Vicki Granowitz, former chairwoman of the Balboa Park Committee, said the review process is as important as the design details.

“We need a very robust public process,” she said.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/aug/31/plaza-plan-for-balboa-park-unveiled/

http://media.signonsandiego.com/img/photos/2010/08/31/parklook_t593.JPG?f53c1bb70f629018cec0bd6246c82dae770b93ac

[brantw]

Meh, I wish we could get some new buildings.

[voice of reason]

Yea, lets start a movement to get those shitty old buildings at the park torn down and get some modern stuff up. I hear they are tearing down that crap in Rome and building highrises. Cool!

[Jobohimself]

Yea, lets start a movement to get those shitty old buildings at the park torn down and get some modern stuff up. I hear they are tearing down that crap in Rome and building highrises. Cool!


Nice to see your tactless negativity is still plaguing this board, VOR. :rolleyes:

[brantw]

Yea, lets start a movement to get those shitty old buildings at the park torn down and get some modern stuff up. I hear they are tearing down that crap in Rome and building highrises. Cool!

Idiot, I wasn't even referring to Balboa Park.

[staplesla]

For riders on the San Diego Trolley’s aging Blue Line, “green with envy” has its own unique meaning.

After all, the relatively new Green Line, which runs from Old Town to Santee, has the brightest and most comfortable trolley cars. You walk into them; you don’t climb up into them. They glide like butter over the rails. The stations are airy and sheltered from sun and the occasional storm.

“The rest of the riders look at the Green Line and say, ‘When do I get that?’ ” said Paul Jablonski, CEO of the Metropolitan Transit system.

And now there is an answer: Over the next three years.

This month, MTS and its engineering and planning partner SANDAG will start shelling out $600 million in a mix of state, local and federal funds to bring the 30-year-old Blue Line and its slightly younger sibling, the Orange Line, up to Green Line standards.

The fabled but threadbare Blue Line launched the county’s trolley system, from downtown to San Ysidro, on the cheap in 1981. “There wasn’t a whole lot thrown at it to start the south (Blue) line,” says E. Wayne Terry, chief operating officer of the MTS rail division. “We’re going back and making the Blue Line right.”

What will it take to make it “right”?

It means replacing a lot of the 100-year-old railroad ties and mismatched rails. It means replacing the overhead power lines that keep breaking. It means installing a fiber-optic communication line for security cameras and “next train” boards. It means rebuilding all of the stations so they can accommodate the “low floor” trains used on the Green Line.

And as that work is completed, MTS will be retiring the system’s original train cars, which have logged as much as 2 million miles each — replacing them with 57 new low-floor cars being built by Siemens USA in Sacramento at a cost of $233 million.

The newer cars are not only convenient, officials say, they are key to running the entire system on time.

On low-floor cars, commuters, wheelchair users, moms with strollers and cyclists all board together. On the older trains, some 12,000 wheelchairs a month must use antiquated, slow lifts to get onboard. They account for 70 percent of the system’s late trains, officials say.

There’s even a bonus for Green Line riders in all this. Once all three lines are compatible, the Green Line will be extended to the 12th and Imperial station. Riders will no longer need to get off in Old Town and switch trains.

The Trolley Renewal Project, as it is called, has taken three years of planning for SANDAG engineer John W. Haggerty and MTS’ Terry and their teams. The trolleys will be running during construction; much of the work will take place late at night, when ridership is at its lowest.

“Quite a ballet we’ve got going here,” said SANDAG’s Haggerty.

“We’ve been through nine service startups,” says Terry. “This is by far more intense and aggressive than any we’ve done.”

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/sep/01/thin-blue-line-getting-beefed-up/

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4869929869_e908cf312e_z.jpg

[Filambata]

I'm so excited for the San Diego region, especially for the next five years. There are so many projects going on or about to start that will really make our region even more wonderful and competitive!!

-San Diego Central Library
-North Embarcadero Visionary Plan, Phase I
-Cruise Ship Terminal Expansion
-Convention Center Expansion
-Balboa Park Improvements
-New Chargers Stadium(?)
-San Diego Civic Center(?)
-Mid-Coast Trolley Expansion
-Blue/Orange Line Trolley Upgrades
-Mercado del Barrio Commercial/Residential Project
-San Diego International Airport Expansion
-SR-905 Extension
-San Ysidro Port of Entry Expansion/Upgrades
-UCSD Campus/Medical Facility Construction
-San Diego Community College District Construction
-Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan
-San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge Lighting

:banana: :banana: :banana:

[OneMetropolis]

^^^^^
And here's a look at reality.



-North Embarcadero Visionary Plan, Phase I: (Never Happening)
-Convention Center Expansion: (No Funds)
-Balboa Park Improvements: (No Funds)
-New Chargers Stadium: (Not Likely)
-San Diego Civic Center: (Good as Dead)
-Mid-Coast Trolley Expansion: (not in our life-times)
-Blue/Orange Line Trolley Upgrades: (could happen)
-Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan: (Please)
-San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge Lighting: (In your dreams)

[SDfan]

^^^^^
And here's a look at reality.



-North Embarcadero Visionary Plan, Phase I: (Never Happening)
-Convention Center Expansion: (No Funds)
-Balboa Park Improvements: (No Funds)
-New Chargers Stadium: (Not Likely)
-San Diego Civic Center: (Good as Dead)
-Mid-Coast Trolley Expansion: (not in our life-times)
-Blue/Orange Line Trolley Upgrades: (could happen)
-Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan: (Please)
-San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge Lighting: (In your dreams)

Hmm.

Aside from the Chargers Stadium and Civic Center, I don't see why those other projects you listed as "never happening," "good as dead," etc, wouldn't come to fruition.

The North Embarcadero is actually moving in the right direction with community groups and the Port moving together to find a compromise. That will get done in time.

The Convention Center expansion will be built. San Diego's businesses will be more then capable of hobbling up the funds necessary (through a hotel tax increase, or through a downtown vendor fee, or a bond, or a mix of the three) to get it built. These conventions are big bucks, unlike a new Civic Center or Chargers Stadium.

Balboa Park will get its money. Its the city's crown jewel and it's turning 100 in 5 years. If one project out of this will get money from philanthropy it will be Balboa.

Mid-Coast trolley expansion is 2014 or 2015. Maybe not in our lifetimes if we were horseflys or if 2012 is the end of it all...

Blue/Orange line upgrades... read the article, I need not say more.

Chula Vista Bayfront... actually this one is more tricky to pin. I don't see there being much demand in the near future, but I think within ten years there will be a boom on their shores. It will get done, it just needs time (demand).

San Diego Bridge Lighting will be done. The Port wouldn't have wasted its money on an international design competition if it hadn't thought it to be a viable plan otherwise.

I think San Diego suffers a lot from nay-sayers. In reality we won't get all of what we want, but most of the civic projects listed here will get done, plus who knows what is going to come next? I read an article advocating for an MLS stadium to be built at the old Balboa Stadium by city college. Plus look at what SANDAG has been proposing transit-wise. There is a lot to be excited about. We are in a rescission...now. Not necessarily forever...

[eburress]

My concern about San Diego (aside from way too many NIMBYs) is how it is not putting itself in a position to be successful economically. Companies are leaving because of the cost of doing business here and because of a lack of business infrastructure (i.e., an airport). Until the city does something to change this, the its financial situation is only going to get worse.

[brantw]

Does anybody know what happened to all of the cruise ships? I haven't seen one in months. I know they are constructing the new terminal, but I didn't know that meant they shut down the old one?? That doesn't seem to make much sense as the new one is a couple hundred yards away and doesn't really affect the old one. Are the cruise ships packing up and leaving as well?

[OneMetropolis]

Hmm.

Aside from the Chargers Stadium and Civic Center, I don't see why those other projects you listed as "never happening," "good as dead," etc, wouldn't come to fruition.

The North Embarcadero is actually moving in the right direction with community groups and the Port moving together to find a compromise. That will get done in time.

It will eventually hit another wall and be stalled, than come back agian 2 yrs later. How long has this thing been trying to happen agian?

The Convention Center expansion will be built. San Diego's businesses will be more then capable of hobbling up the funds necessary (through a hotel tax increase, or through a downtown vendor fee, or a bond, or a mix of the three) to get it built. These conventions are big bucks, unlike a new Civic Center or Chargers Stadium.

If its going to happen than why haven't we seen or heard of any progress on this issue if it's so "needed." It's already obvious that tax increase will only anger people and cause the project to be stalled even more.

Balboa Park will get its money. Its the city's crown jewel and it's turning 100 in 5 years. If one project out of this will get money from philanthropy it will be Balboa.

So a lot of things turn a certain age it dosen't necessarily mean it's going to get first priority cause of it.

Mid-Coast trolley expansion is 2014 or 2015. Maybe not in our lifetimes if we were horseflys or if 2012 is the end of it all...

... Not really sure about this one either. Last time they said that it would take 10 years to do the expansion and now it's been narrowed down to a shorter timeline?

Blue/Orange line upgrades... read the article, I need not say more.

Chula Vista Bayfront... actually this one is more tricky to pin. I don't see there being much demand in the near future, but I think within ten years there will be a boom on their shores. It will get done, it just needs time (demand).

Haha... Your quite the optimist, but sorry. This project is way too big and will cost somewhere in the billions. Where do you think the city will get that money from?

San Diego Bridge Lighting will be done. The Port wouldn't have wasted its money on an international design competition if it hadn't thought it to be a viable plan otherwise.

So what? A lot of projects get international compaines to plan and dream up things. For Example the Hollywood Sign wanted a makeover so they also had a international design competion, but there's no money.

I think San Diego suffers a lot from nay-sayers. In reality we won't get all of what we want, but most of the civic projects listed here will get done, plus who knows what is going to come next? I read an article advocating for an MLS stadium to be built at the old Balboa Stadium by city college. Plus look at what SANDAG has been proposing transit-wise. There is a lot to be excited about. We are in a rescission...now. Not necessarily forever...

Whatever be a optimist I'll just be a realist. MLS really? Sorry to say, but San Diego isn't really a soccer type city.

[SDfan]

It will eventually hit another wall and be stalled, than come back agian 2 yrs later. How long has this thing been trying to happen agian?

The NEV Plan has been going on for quite awhile. I really do think that this time around the people on both sides (more park vs more development) are talking at the same table and not just shooting ideas out from their hips. I mean in this stalled economy nothing is going to be built commercially anyways. So while there is a lull, development projects along the corridor can take a step back, redesign and come out better for everyone. That's kind of whats been happening...if you read the article posted in this very thread before...

If its going to happen than why haven't we seen or heard of any progress on this issue if it's so "needed." It's already obvious that tax increase will only anger people and cause the project to be stalled even more.

The convention center corporation just selected the finalists for the design of the expansion...I know this project is moving forward...again, you should read your local newspapers, they are quite useful.

So a lot of things turn a certain age it dosen't necessarily mean it's going to get first priority cause of it.

San Diego has three things: Weather, Beaches and Balboa. If one of the city's biggest philanthropic individuals (Jacobs) is heading a committee to revitalize Balboa, id bet my money on their being actual progress. They may end up charging for parking at the new structure, but it will be a lot better then having a car filled plaza when Balboa turns 100. Making light of Balboa's 100 year anniversary is a big mistake on your part, I don't think anyone with civic pride would question the significance of this event (which is still 5 years away, which equals plenty of time to get this done).

... Not really sure about this one either. Last time they said that it would take 10 years to do the expansion and now it's been narrowed down to a shorter timeline?

I don't know when "last time" was for you, but the mid-coast expansion has been in development for a long time. And its a good thing it has taken awhile, as it passed with flying colors through the community organizations that would have otherwise rejected a rushed proposal. MTS did the right thing in engaging neighbors along the line and offering multiple options for those groups to choose the best from. This train will be running by 2015 for sure, its too profitable (come one, UCSD to Downtown, and UTC... three major urban centers connected...) for them not to move forward.

Haha... Your quite the optimist, but sorry. This project is way too big and will cost somewhere in the billions. Where do you think the city will get that money from?

Chula Vista won't get the money from anywhere, its a private development, which is why I said that this project would take a while. It's not up to the city to pay for the majority of this, its up to the markets (ie DEMAND, as I stated before, you should read (not skim) what I post). So, again, this will be built in the next boom cycle. 10 years more then likely.

So what? A lot of projects get international compaines to plan and dream up things. For Example the Hollywood Sign wanted a makeover so they also had a international design competion, but there's no money.

That's Hollywood's problem, not San Diego's. The port wouldn't have initiated the project, wasted its reserves, and the people of the bay's time if they hadn't thought this was viable. I'm not saying that this will be built tomorrow, but it's going to get done. Plus it's a civic project, and with little else going on commercially, the port has to focus on other things...like civic projects...

Whatever be a optimist I'll just be a realist. MLS really? Sorry to say, but San Diego isn't really a soccer type city.

I'm really not an optimist at all. The civic center project is dead. The chargers will leave when the stadium deal is not approved by voters. Their won't be a new airport built in San Diego until Miramar closes. But their is a difference between being a realist (me) and an outright pessimist (you).

You are always saying something negative about this city. This isn't the first time I've had to knock you down from your lowly pedestal. San Diego has problems, but if you actually researched these projects (like in newspapers, those things that are available everywhere and free online even!) you would see that things are not so grim.

As for MLS, I've done enough typing, can one of the soccer enthusiasts here explain to onemetro about San Diego's history of hosting international soccer events, having high attendance, being a finalist city to host in the next world cup if the US gets the event, the pull of Mexican fans, blah-blah, yada-yada...

Goodnight everyone. :whip:

[bmfarley]

My concern about San Diego (aside from way too many NIMBYs) is how it is not putting itself in a position to be successful economically. Companies are leaving because of the cost of doing business here and because of a lack of business infrastructure (i.e., an airport). Until the city does something to change this, the its financial situation is only going to get worse.

Or, high speed rail to downtown.

One thing I have said before, HSR will link LA to SF in the first phased effort. When that happens, LA and SF and the places in between that are connected, will have an advantage for offering something to potential employers and visitors. That IS attractive.

San Diego... instead of trying to accelerate HSR to San Diego, has chosen to push it back to the periphery of downtown, thereby minimize its utility and attraction to downtown.

[eburress]

Or, high speed rail to downtown.

One thing I have said before, HSR will link LA to SF in the first phased effort. When that happens, LA and SF and the places in between that are connected, will have an advantage for offering something to potential employers and visitors. That IS attractive.

San Diego... instead of trying to accelerate HSR to San Diego, has chosen to push it back to the periphery of downtown, thereby minimize its utility and attraction to downtown.

Possibly, though I can't imagine hearing a company say "we're relocating to Dallas from San Diego because we couldn't find an easier way to get to LA."

[OneMetropolis]

The NEV Plan has been going on for quite awhile. I really do think that this time around the people on both sides (more park vs more development) are talking at the same table and not just shooting ideas out from their hips. I mean in this stalled economy nothing is going to be built commercially anyways. So while there is a lull, development projects along the corridor can take a step back, redesign and come out better for everyone. That's kind of whats been happening...if you read the article posted in this very thread before...



The convention center corporation just selected the finalists for the design of the expansion...I know this project is moving forward...again, you should read your local newspapers, they are quite useful.



San Diego has three things: Weather, Beaches and Balboa. If one of the city's biggest philanthropic individuals (Jacobs) is heading a committee to revitalize Balboa, id bet my money on their being actual progress. They may end up charging for parking at the new structure, but it will be a lot better then having a car filled plaza when Balboa turns 100. Making light of Balboa's 100 year anniversary is a big mistake on your part, I don't think anyone with civic pride would question the significance of this event (which is still 5 years away, which equals plenty of time to get this done).



I don't know when "last time" was for you, but the mid-coast expansion has been in development for a long time. And its a good thing it has taken awhile, as it passed with flying colors through the community organizations that would have otherwise rejected a rushed proposal. MTS did the right thing in engaging neighbors along the line and offering multiple options for those groups to choose the best from. This train will be running by 2015 for sure, its too profitable (come one, UCSD to Downtown, and UTC... three major urban centers connected...) for them not to move forward.



Chula Vista won't get the money from anywhere, its a private development, which is why I said that this project would take a while. It's not up to the city to pay for the majority of this, its up to the markets (ie DEMAND, as I stated before, you should read (not skim) what I post). So, again, this will be built in the next boom cycle. 10 years more then likely.



That's Hollywood's problem, not San Diego's. The port wouldn't have initiated the project, wasted its reserves, and the people of the bay's time if they hadn't thought this was viable. I'm not saying that this will be built tomorrow, but it's going to get done. Plus it's a civic project, and with little else going on commercially, the port has to focus on other things...like civic projects...



I'm really not an optimist at all. The civic center project is dead. The chargers will leave when the stadium deal is not approved by voters. Their won't be a new airport built in San Diego until Miramar closes. But their is a difference between being a realist (me) and an outright pessimist (you).

You are always saying something negative about this city. This isn't the first time I've had to knock you down from your lowly pedestal. San Diego has problems, but if you actually researched these projects (like in newspapers, those things that are available everywhere and free online even!) you would see that things are not so grim.

As for MLS, I've done enough typing, can one of the soccer enthusiasts here explain to onemetro about San Diego's history of hosting international soccer events, having high attendance, being a finalist city to host in the next world cup if the US gets the event, the pull of Mexican fans, blah-blah, yada-yada...

Goodnight everyone. :whip:

OK you got me. I am just a wanabe novice who knows nothing. Please forgive me!!!!!!!!!!!!:gaah:

Looks like you know your stuff so kudos to yeah.:yes: :tup:

I somtetimes like to make up scenarios and have you guys fill in the blanks for me.:D

[SDfan]

OK you got me. I am just a wanabe novice who knows nothing. Please forgive me!!!!!!!!!!!!:gaah:

Looks like you know your stuff so kudos to yeah.:yes: :tup:

I somtetimes like to make up scenarios and have you guys fill in the blanks for me.:D

Forgiven. :)

[SDfan]

Possibly, though I can't imagine hearing a company say "we're relocating to Dallas from San Diego because we couldn't find an easier way to get to LA."

That would be hilarious though. :haha:

[staplesla]

Fresh from a round of four public workshops, the San Diego Unified Port District’s staff and consultants will lay out some options to the port board Tuesday on how to add more open space to the $28 million first phase of the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan.

Spokesman Ron Powell said the seven port board members will hear much the same presentation as given last month to almost 300 members of the public.

The meeting, including public comment, is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the port headquarters, 3165 Pacific Highway.

The $28 million first phase of the plan is in play because the California Coastal Commission failed to approve the improvements planned between Broadway Pier and B Street Pier last spring.

Critics complained that an oval park at the foot of Broadway had been eliminated when the port moved forward on a new cruise ship terminal on the pier.

To gain more open space as the coastal commission staff had recommended, the port’s consultants have presented a variety of options -- fewer trees and more hardscape, fountains, grass, or a further narrowing of Harbor Drive than is currently planned.

With the board’s preferences in hand, consultants plan to present refined options at a second round of public meetings late this month or in early October. The board then would consider final recommendations, probably at its Nov. 2 meeting.

“What our fondest hope would be is we would come up with a plan that our opponents say is a good plan and that way, they won’t appeal” to the coastal commission, Powell said. If there is an appeal, that commission would likely take it up early next year.

If approved then, construction could start late next year and be completed in 2013, officials said.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/sep/05/port-consider-tweaks-north-embarcadero-plan/

[Filambata]

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/sep/08/new-downtown-courthouse-be-safer-bigger/

Faster schedule saved $500 million
By Roger Showley, UNION-TRIBUNE

Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at 4:36 p.m.

http://media.signonsandiego.com/img/photos/2010/09/08/statecourt_photo_view_9.2010_t593.bmp?f53c1bb70f629018cec0bd6246c82dae770b93ac

The new $634 million downtown courthouse planned by the state won't open for another six years, but it's sure to be a safer place than the present county courthouse, officials said Wednesday at a meeting to review the project's environmental impact

"We really are very excited about this project," said Clifford Ham, the principal architect for the Administrative Office of the Courts, who addressed a small gathering Wednesday at Horton Plaza shopping center.

Ham said the old building is riddled with asbestos and poses serious problems for security and safety.

In the new building, planned north of the Hall of Justice and west of the old 1960s courthouse complex at Broadway and Front Street, defendants will be transported from the Central Jail through tunnels to courtrooms in the new building. Today, they are routed along bridges linking buildings and along corridors shared with jurors and the public.

There will be more space for all court functions -- twice as much as in the old building --- but it will be more efficient, Ham said. One example is the provision of just one front door versus four on the buildings that currently hold Superior Court facilities that will be located in the new building.

The building, planned for up to 750,000 square feet and 20 stories, will be located on the block bounded by B,C, Union and State streets, known as the "Stahlman block" (site of the King Stahlman Bail Bonds office).

At one time it was budgeted at $1.1 billion, but it has been reduced by $500 million by speeding up the schedule and reducing inflation adjustments through a property transfer agreement by the County of San Diego, which owned the old courthouse. Funding is coming from a $5 billion bond measure backed by higher court fines and charges.

The state assumed responsibility for the Superior Court under 2002 legislation, but will continue to lease civil Superior Court rooms in the Hall of Justice when the new building opens in mid-2016.

Few questions arose at Wednesday's meeting. Public comments are due Sept. 22 with the final EIR, including state responses to questions, expected next month and adoption in November.

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the San Francisco architectural firm hired to design the courthouse, is scheduled to prepare preliminary plans in 2011 and working drawings in 2012. Construction would then proceed in late-2013.

One unknown is the fate of the old courthouse, built in phases on three blocks stretching from Broadway to A street in the 1960s.

Ham said the budget does not include demolition costs, projected in the millions.

The current plan is to mothball the complex until a developer is selected to demolish the property and build a new office building, hotel or other structures there.

The old county jail, now housing federal detainees, mostly on immigration violations, also would close.

"It could be decades and it could be sooner," said Ham when asked how long it will take for redevelopment to occur.

County Supervisor Greg Cox, who attended the meeting having followed the project for many years, said it might make sense for the Centre City Development Corp., the city's downtown redevelopment arm, to front the money for demolition and operate a surface parking lot until a developer is selected. No general parking is planned in the new building -- just as there is no public parking at existing locations.

Ham said under legislation that imposed new fines and fees to cover the cost of this and other state courthouse projects did not allow for the new buildings to be used for expansion.

Thus the 71 courtrooms in the new building will include only one more than are currently in the old courthouse and three satellite locations. As growth occurs over the next 50 years and more courtrooms are needed, he said, the new building could be reconfigured or technology might make it unnecessary to add more space.

"A generation or two from now is a very long time," Ham said.

[SDfan]

^^Well that's something to look forward too.

[shareknowledge]

I have visited many sky touching buildings in San Diego. I am also resident of San Diego. In this thread i could not find a single building belonging to San Diego. Can you show me Fly Tower here. I have no pics of Fly Tower.

Best Regards
jack

[SDfan]

^^Uhhhh...

onemetro, wanna get that? haha.

[mongoXZ]

so here's a good reason why we're building that multi-million dollar pedestrian bridge over Harbor Blvd. (lookout! @ 0.55)
zW9RrPUu6j0

[brantw]

so here's a good reason why we're building that multi-million dollar pedestrian bridge over Harbor Blvd. (lookout! @ 0.55)
zW9RrPUu6j0

Wow! Those fans are ridiculous! I can't believe they were going under the train.

[OneMetropolis]

^^Uhhhh...

onemetro, wanna get that? haha.


I would but I don't know what a Fly tower is.

I am gonna ASSUME IT WAS MY OLD PROFILE PIC.

http://www.hotspot.nl/weblog/images/oneplaza.jpg

[bmfarley]

so here's a good reason why we're building that multi-million dollar pedestrian bridge over Harbor Blvd. (lookout! @ 0.55)
zW9RrPUu6j0

Those folks have no exuse. They are risking their lives for something so relatively cheap.

But, they are not as bad as the 4 who decided to take a nap on Metrolink tracks this morning in Orange County! Three died!

[HurricaneHugo]

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0910-metrolink-fatalities-20100910,0,5840774.story

great idea to take nap on train tracks...

:(

[colemonkee]

^ I'm sure the Darwin Award nomination committee is all over this.

[202_Cyclist]

I just fowarded this video to a few people at the Federal Railroad Administration. At the very least, San Diego law enforcement needs to ticket these people who are risking their lives.

[SDfan]

That was ridiculous! People and their ideas of whats worth their lives...

[staplesla]

One of San Diego’s largest waterfront hotels, the San Diego Marriott, is planning a $200 million renovation that comes with an added bonus for the public: a 32-foot-wide promenade that will give pedestrians a direct connection to the harbor.

While periodic remodels are standard practice for hotels seeking to refresh their brand, the Marriott Hotel and Marina’s mammoth project is far more ambitious, focused in part on boosting convention and meeting business that is a key driver of the hotel’s revenues.

Planned is a $97 million expansion of ballroom space that will replace the hotel’s 23,000-square-foot Marriott Hall with a state-of-the-art, 40,000-square-foot ballroom and a 40,000-square-foot exhibit hall, which general manager Ray Warren said will meet growing demands in the meeting industry for added space for vendors and sophisticated audiovisual presentations.

“For large in-house groups, their needs for space have changed dramatically in the last 10 years,” said Warren. “For their general sessions, they need a huge amount of space for all the technology to put on these major presentations. The second issue is that these corporate groups and small associations, in order to subsidize their meetings, want to do exhibits with vendors who they charge to put a booth in.”

Because the Marriott leases land from the San Diego Port District, its walkway and exhibit hall reconstruction will require approval from Port Commissioners in October following a 30-day comment period for the public.

The new walkway, which will be bordered by palm trees and other landscaping, will give pedestrians on Harbor Drive not only easy access to the water but also a clear view now blocked by a parking lot, cooling towers and trees, says the port. It will complement an already existing pathway installed several years ago by the adjacent Manchester Grand Hyatt.

“Visually, if you walk down Harbor, you don’t know how to get to the water,” said Penny Maus, asset manager for the Port District. “But now you’ll have this beautiful, wide pedestrian promenade that will provide you with views of the marina, port parks and the bay.”

The 1,362-room Marriott already has completed renovation of its guestrooms in one of its two towers and expects to finish the $41 million redo of the north tower by next April. Also planned is a $4.2 million makeover of the lobby and front entrance and a $7.7 million redo of the pool area, which will include two new waterfalls, Jacuzzi, pool bar and restaurant and new lighting and sound system.

The revamped Marriott, says Warren, is supposed to reflect a "cool, coastal Californian" look. The redone rooms, which will all have flat-screen televisions, modernized bathrooms with walk-in showers and new carpeting and bedding, will have a color scheme of blues, corals, golds and greens.

Warren said the overall $200 million investment is the most that the hotel’s owner, Host Hotels and Resorts, has ever spent on one of its properties.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/sep/10/waterfront-marriott-to-undergo-200-million-renova/

http://media.signonsandiego.com/img/photos/2010/09/10/marriott_hallbynight_t593.JPG?f53c1bb70f629018cec0bd6246c82dae770b93ac

[kpexpress]

CCAC Pre-design Subcommittee will be reviewing this proposed parking structure down at the site of the old ballpark village across the street from petco.
your thoughts?

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn60/kpexpress42/Screenshot2010-09-10at93639PM.jpg

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn60/kpexpress42/Screenshot2010-09-10at93609PM.jpg

I wish they would have thought more about sight-lines from 10th ave toward the Clock Tower of the MTS Center. To me that identifies the East Village just as much as Petco it's self. I love the techy look of the materials though.

[eburress]

^^ That is a VERY nice looking parking lot!

[bmfarley]

^^^ Yes, very nice indeed.

Re Clock Tower... tha tis nice too; however, with the proposed development, it is really out of scale and difficult to make it a centerpiece or focal point.

btw, where are the ramps to/from the parking for the above proposal?

[kpexpress]

I am not saying that we need to have the clock tower the central theme for ball park village, I'm just saying that it would be nice if when ine left Petco park on the 10 ave side and headed for the parking lot or trolly station the clock tower would be visible. Sight lines are a basic strategy to connect(visually) different key contextual landmarks and create a sense of place. I always imagined that area to have the sight lines to/from trolly station, Petco park, and the harbor drive ped bridge. Imagine if they did that and filled the ped streets with shops bars restaurants and stores, plus they could add a bunch of screens and lights like they have at LA Live to lure broadcasting stations, events, conventioneers, etc. I say it's a missed opportunity, but Like materials and textures of this proposed parking structure.

[HurricaneHugo]

That Marriott redevelopment came out of nowhere!

And screw the nice looking parking garage, what's that tower right behind it!

[Derek]

That Marriott redevelopment came out of nowhere!

And screw the nice looking parking garage, what's that tower right behind it!



Just looks like some crappy rendered filler tower that we will never see. :P

[HurricaneHugo]

Just looks like some crappy rendered filler tower that we will never see. :P

I thought it was going to be a 1000 ft tower. :(

[SDfan]

^^ That would be the day...

As for the parking garage, it looks nice. I just wonder what it would be like without all of that development nearby.

[Filambata]

http://www.hargreaves.com/projects/Waterfronts/SanDiegoCountyAdmin/

This 12-acre park will replace 8 acres of surface parking and will be the most significant waterfront open space in downtown San Diego. The existing historic landscape and landmark County building form the park’s center while a new interactive fountain extends from the building and into the new park defining a large civic green on one side and more intimate garden rooms with distinct themes and functions on the other overlooking the green. The park will accommodate special events and festivals, farmers’ markets, day and nighttime urban needs, family recreation, and a variety of gardens.

http://www.hargreaves.com/projects/Waterfronts/SanDiegoCountyAdmin/SWP_1.jpg

http://www.hargreaves.com/projects/Waterfronts/SanDiegoCountyAdmin/SmallSWP_2.jpghttp://www.hargreaves.com/projects/Waterfronts/SanDiegoCountyAdmin/SmallSWP_3.jpghttp://www.hargreaves.com/projects/Waterfronts/SanDiegoCountyAdmin/SmallSWP_4.jpg

[S.DviaPhilly]

So, I have known that they were building a 6 story office next to the mission at 13th and J, but could not find any pictures or what was going in there...until now!

I went to the robquigley website and saw that they are building their office there and found some cool renderings of what the building is going to look like...Looks awesome!!!

From Robquigley.com

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e338/Spiewak/13thj.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e338/Spiewak/13thandj2.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e338/Spiewak/13thj2.jpg

[HurricaneHugo]

This image or video has been moved or deleted!

[IconRPCV]

I was downtown yesterday and was quite excited about the goings on. The law school is almost completed, as is the pedestrian bridge. The library is starting up, and I saw a crane over in Barrio Logan,anyone know what that project is? Finally, the Padres are going to make the Playoffs; hopefully!

[S.DviaPhilly]

This image or video has been moved or deleted!

Fixed, sorry about that

[SDfan]

Well that's at least something.

[SDfan]

I was downtown yesterday and was quite excited about the goings on. The law school is almost completed, as is the pedestrian bridge. The library is starting up, and I saw a crane over in Barrio Logan,anyone know what that project is? Finally, the Padres are going to make the Playoffs; hopefully!

The law school will definitely be a nice addition to the EV. The pedestrian bridge is pretty, albeit late, late, late! The crane near Barrio Logan (its in the EV) is a 12-story project by Father Joe's Villages. Some kind of low income housing/resource center. Its a pretty decent project. As for the Padres, good luck to them!

[Urbanize_It]

[QUOTE=S.DviaPhilly;4989149]So, I have known that they were building a 6 story office next to the mission at 13th and J, but could not find any pictures or what was going in there...until now!

I went to the robquigley website and saw that they are building their office there and found some cool renderings of what the building is going to look like...Looks awesome!!!

From Robquigley.com
QUOTE]

Thanks S.DviaPhilly! I have also been curious as to what that construction would become. Looks like an interesting building. I walked by it last night and it is going up quickly.

There is also one other construction site at 2nd and Laurel that I can’t find any info on. It is right next to the Ohr Shalom Synagogue. Anyone know anything about it?

By the way, long time watcher, first time poster. Thanks to all for keeping the updates coming!!! I enjoy and appreciate the info on this thread!!!

[SDfan]

^^Welcome to the board!

And I'm curious about the Laurel site too. I pass it sometimes on my way to Balboa and it looks sad...

Also, I know this isn't big development news, but there is supposed to be a 99 Cent Only store to be built on Market Street, just a little past 25th. I'm kind of excited for this! I googled 99 Cent Only, Dollar Tree, etc. and I couldn't find anything close to the city centre that wasn't...odd. As a broke college student, I deeply appreciate this. I just wish it would get off the ground, its still just an empty lot.

[HurricaneHugo]

[QUOTE=S.DviaPhilly;4989149]So, I have known that they were building a 6 story office next to the mission at 13th and J, but could not find any pictures or what was going in there...until now!

I went to the robquigley website and saw that they are building their office there and found some cool renderings of what the building is going to look like...Looks awesome!!!

From Robquigley.com
QUOTE]

Thanks S.DviaPhilly! I have also been curious as to what that construction would become. Looks like an interesting building. I walked by it last night and it is going up quickly.

There is also one other construction site at 2nd and Laurel that I can’t find any info on. It is right next to the Ohr Shalom Synagogue. Anyone know anything about it?

By the way, long time watcher, first time poster. Thanks to all for keeping the updates coming!!! I enjoy and appreciate the info on this thread!!!

Stalker. :sly:

[HurricaneHugo]

^^Welcome to the board!

And I'm curious about the Laurel site too. I pass it sometimes on my way to Balboa and it looks sad...

Also, I know this isn't big development news, but there is supposed to be a 99 Cent Only store to be built on Market Street, just a little past 25th. I'm kind of excited for this! I googled 99 Cent Only, Dollar Tree, etc. and I couldn't find anything close to the city centre that wasn't...odd. As a broke college student, I deeply appreciate this. I just wish it would get off the ground, its still just an empty lot.

That sign has been there for like two years now!

[SDfan]

That sign has been there for like two years now!

Really?? Aww...

[spoonman]

Anyone see the convention center plans here?

http://www.conventioncentertaskforce.org/MCTFconcepts.shtml

[HurricaneHugo]

Yup, we just hope it actually goes through!

[Derek]

I got stuck on a jury so I snapped this shot of the new courthouse from the skywalk between the Hall of Justice and the County Courthouse. It's not significant I know. It's from my iPhone. I was just thinking of you guys. :D


http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll120/derekadour/IMG_0025.jpg

[HurricaneHugo]

Makes me sad knowing how much taller it could have been. :(

[Derek]

Makes me sad knowing how much taller it could have been. :(



Didn't you hear the new plans?



The whole thing is underground, they are just building the roof now. ;)

[SDfan]

London Flights to Resume

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

British Airways announced Oct. 6 that it will offer daily nonstop flights from San Diego International Airport to London’s Heathrow Airport starting June 1. It will be the first such service offered locally since 2003.

At an airport news conference, airline officials said the service stems from a newly launched joint business agreement involving British Airways, American Airlines and Spanish carrier Iberia.

“Combined selling and scheduling means that we will be able to operate routes that would not have been feasible for us to operate individually,” said Kevin Burns, a regional director with British Airways.

British Airways Flight 272, on the carrier’s Boeing 777 aircraft with 275 seats, will leave daily from London at 3:05 p.m. local time and arrive in San Diego at 6:15 p.m. local time. The flight will depart San Diego from Terminal 2 at 8:05 p.m. local time, arriving in London at 2:25 p.m. the following day.

British Airways hasn’t offered local flights to London since 2003, when it discontinued San Diego service amid companywide cutbacks. The industry at the time was reeling from a global slowdown in air travel following the terrorist events of September 2001.

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders noted that the new flights will benefit the region’s tourism and business promotion efforts, as London is a key destination city for local residents and corporate travelers.

“The importance of this service cannot be overstated,” Sanders said.

— Lou Hirsh

http://www.sdbj.com/news/2010/oct/06/london-flights-resume/

Wait...this doesn't make sense to me. I thought we couldn't support intercontinental flights with our runway...

[Derek]

That's good news! :D




SDFan - Defunct Zoom Airlines ran a 767 from San Diego to Heathrow like twice weekly a few years back...it'll be interesting to see a 777 at SAN!

[HurricaneHugo]

Damn...luckily those construction workers were there.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/oct/08/carlsbad-police-respond-to-reports-of-shots-at-a-s/

[HurricaneHugo]

And the Chargers stadium will probably be sped up by 18 months! :D

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/oct/08/carlsbad-police-respond-to-reports-of-shots-at-a-s/

"A potential downtown Chargers stadium may be closer to reality as a result of last-minute legislation passed Friday morning as part of the new state budget.

The arrangement, advanced by Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, R-San Diego, eliminates the present $2.9 billion cap on a downtown redevelopment plan adopted in 1992, theoretically making it possible for the city to build a new stadium east of Petco Park, estimated to cost at least $800 million, hundreds of millions of dollars of which could come from public spending."

[Derek]

And the Chargers stadium will probably be sped up by 18 months! :D

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/oct/08/carlsbad-police-respond-to-reports-of-shots-at-a-s/

"A potential downtown Chargers stadium may be closer to reality as a result of last-minute legislation passed Friday morning as part of the new state budget.

The arrangement, advanced by Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, R-San Diego, eliminates the present $2.9 billion cap on a downtown redevelopment plan adopted in 1992, theoretically making it possible for the city to build a new stadium east of Petco Park, estimated to cost at least $800 million, hundreds of millions of dollars of which could come from public spending."



Nice! :D


Can't wait to hear more...


P.S. You posted the shooting link twice. :P

Here you go!
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/oct/08/new-chargers-stadium-may-result-new-state-budget/

[SDfan]

So if we can go to London, why not Asia?...

[Derek]

So if we can go to London, why not Asia?...



Philippine Airlines has been trying to get a Manila-Vancouver-San Diego (or something...) flight for some time but nothing has really happened with that in a while...

[kpexpress]

Upon returning to san diego I noticed that the old tech trades training building, owned by city college, has started to be demolished between Park/13th and E/F. Does anyone know what's going to be built there? My guess is a parking lot for now and maybe a city college building later on.

Does anyone have any details about this though?

[kpexpress]

Nice! :D


Can't wait to hear more...


P.S. You posted the shooting link twice. :P

Here you go!
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/oct/08/new-chargers-stadium-may-result-new-state-budget/

It's going to cost about $6Billion to complete the downtown community plan alone (chargers' stadium aside). This means way more to downtown than just the possibility if a chargers stadium.

[SDfan]

Upon returning to san diego I noticed that the old tech trades training building, owned by city college, has started to be demolished between Park/13th and E/F. Does anyone know what's going to be built there? My guess is a parking lot for now and maybe a city college building later on.

Does anyone have any details about this though?

At the corner on Broadway there is a rendering billboard of the buildings they are constructing at that block. I'll take a pic and post it here eventually.

[dl3000]

That's good news! :D




SDFan - Defunct Zoom Airlines ran a 767 from San Diego to Heathrow like twice weekly a few years back...it'll be interesting to see a 777 at SAN!

Actually 777s are here all the time. Hawaiian Airlines runs them and I'm sure there are others. I remember way back late 90s a 747 would come in headed to Phoenix then London.

[Derek]

Really? I'm too young to remember that. :)



I thought Hawaiian ran 767s. I guess I'm corrected! :D

[Trvlr]

Philippine (PAL) is indeed trying to start SAN-YVR-MNL, probably with very large aircraft--777-300ERs that are actually larger than the kind BA will be using (777-200ER) for the non-stop Heathrow route.

However, the FAA recently downgraded the Philippines' "safety rating" (for the country, not the airline), meaning a lack of confidence in safety practices and infrastructure. A consequence is that airlines from that country are not allowed to add new service to the U.S. until the country safety rating is upgraded back to normal. As soon as that happens, we'll probably see PAL fly to San Diego. Give it a year or so.

The largest aircraft flying into SAN right now are FedEx's DC-10s, to Memphis. Hawaiian flies 767s to Honolulu and Maui, Delta flies a 767 to Atlanta from time to time, and American even flew a 767 to New York until recently. Zoom did fly SAN-LGW (London Gatwick) nonstop 3x a week until they went bankrupt and ceased operations.

Our runway is small compared to other int'l airports, but a bigger problem is the hills on either side (Banker's Hill to the east, Point Loma to the west). Aircraft need to be able to climb fast and high enough to clear these obstructions, which means compromising performance for larger aircraft flying longer routes. That's why BA's 747s couldn't fly non-stop to London--they had to make a pit stop in Phoenix. However, the smaller 777 can make it non-stop--but only just.

Looking forward, Boeing's new 787 (delayed 2 years and counting) will help mid-size cities like San Diego gain new int'l service, because they are efficient enough to make longer, thinner routes profitable. For now, we should be happy with BA's return and the imminent arrival of PAL. Canadian and Mexican service has also picked up, with new or added non-stop flights to Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo. I think that within 3-5 years, a flight to a major Asian hub isn't out of the question, and we could also see a second daily flight to another European hub (Frankfurt or Amsterdam). Patience...

[SDfan]

^^ Thank you for the info!

[dl3000]

Really? I'm too young to remember that. :)



I thought Hawaiian ran 767s. I guess I'm corrected! :D

No problem, if I didn't know any better I would have assumed 767 was the biggest SAN could handle too. I just remember going to my little brother's soccer practices at MCRD and seeing the British Airways 747 at that last gate in Terminal 2 West. They had it go to Phoenix where it would take on most of its weight since it has to be pretty light to operate at SAN. And then it would go to London. I don't know about right now, but I know I left SD in a 777 to Hawaii and it was a daily flight. I agree though, Hawaiian uses mostly 767s.

What I wonder is what sorts of opportunities can come about with the 787 since it will have such extended range. Perhaps other European or Asian destinations could become available.(EDIT: Sorry, Trvlr, seems like I read your post after I posted about the 787). I'm still wishing for a new airport at Miramar. Call me crazy but that would be amazing. It would open the door to higher buildings too.