Because that is such a desirable location for wildlife and the water is so clean. :rolleyes:

This is very true. I think CCDC could do all of us downtowners a favor and require developers to offer subsidized rent on ground floor retail, or at least escalating rents. If someone wants to have some fun, go take pictures of ALL the ground floor retail for rent in Downtown. That aint a pretty picture, in fact it is depressing. Time for the developers to see the reality that retailers don't want to pay $3 or $4 or $5 a foot for the stuff. In order for downtown to succeed it needs good retail, enlivened streets, and a neighborhood feel.

there's also another proposed site in CV, on the bay, where some power plant is on right now

Does anyone know what the city plans to do with that huge chunk of prime land just sitting there west of I-5 and south of Fiesta Island. Hmmmm just another underutilized peace of land that the city is probably hemmiraging (sp.?) money on....

I think that would also be a great place for a stadium. I can't believe that a deal can't be worked out between the city, Spanos, and another developer. Think of all the land there is that is sitting vacant: Sports Arena, Qualcomm, the aforementioned Mission Bay site. Plus all that land where the people were supposed to have moved out of there mobile homes at the North East corner of Mission Bay.

I don't even think that plot of land has been looked at by the Chargers or anybody, I think it's only popped up here on the forum.

STADIUM SITE SEARCH
'World-class' complex proposed at Qualcomm

By Ronald W. Powell
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

September 18, 2007

A local real estate and finance firm is pitching a plan to city and county officials to convert Qualcomm Stadium into a $2.2 billion sports, entertainment, residential and commercial development that would include a new Chargers stadium and an arena.

The plan is to convert Qualcomm into a sports arena by renovating and enclosing it. It would become the home of a professional basketball or hockey team and would host concerts and trade shows, according to a proposal by CB Richard Ellis Capital Markets Debt and Equity Finance.

“This would create a world-class sports and entertainment destination for San Diego,” said Jeff Rice, senior financial analyst for CB Richard Ellis, who developed the plan over four years. “It would be a place that could host Super Bowls, soccer championships, major concerts and trade shows.”

City and county officials said yesterday that they have not had time to analyze the plan.

Ellis said developing the property could generate millions for the city in annual hotel room, property, sales and other taxes. The city currently operates the stadium at an annual deficit of about $10 million.

The proposal includes about 20 projects at the 166-acre Qualcomm Stadium property that would be built in phases over about 20 years. They include four hotels, office buildings with retail space, 1,500 apartments, student housing, three parking garages, a shopping center, a 16-acre park and an electronic display similar to Times Square in New York City.

The Chargers and the National Football League would pay most of the costs for the new stadium, with the city and county pitching in $50 million each in bond financing for a $600 million facility – a cost the Chargers believe is low. The city also would be expected to contribute an additional $50 million in bond financing for a $190 million arena.

Rice, a San Diego State University graduate, said he began researching the proposal because he feared his alma mater would not have a place to play football if the Chargers developed a stadium in another city. He said the plan was developed independently of a group of businessmen who have been working on their own stadium development plan for the Qualcomm site.

He said the plan is “fiscally responsible” and should be considered by the city if it wants to make money at the Mission Valley site.

“If the mayor doesn't deem that this plan has enough merit to pursue it, then what can you do?” Rice said. “It's pretty much a dead issue.”

Some elements of the Ellis proposal are similar to a development plan that the Chargers proposed for the Qualcomm Stadium site in 2003. But the Chargers wanted to build more than 6,000 condos, which would have required the city to give the team ownership of the acreage where the housing was built. Team executives abandoned that plan in early 2006.

The Chargers are now evaluating two sites in Chula Vista and one in Oceanside for a new stadium. A group of businessmen, including members of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp., were working on a Qualcomm Stadium development option in case efforts failed in Chula Vista and Oceanside. But they say the focus should now be on the two Chula Vista sites that were identified as best suited for a stadium in a study released last week.

Under the Ellis plan, the real estate firm would oversee the deal and bring in a master developer to organize the project. Separate developers would handle parts of the plan after entering into long-term leases with the city. Once the debt was retired on any project within the development, the developer would have the right to negotiate with the city to buy that portion of the property.

The Chargers have met with Rice about his plan but aren't optimistic.

“The basic fact is that a project of this magnitude is unlikely to move ahead in a city like San Diego, where you have an indifferent mayor and an openly hostile city attorney,” Fabiani said.

Mayor Jerry Sanders has a copy of the proposal but has not had time to review it. City Attorney Michael Aguirre said he had not read it, nor had Councilwoman Donna Frye, whose district includes Qualcomm Stadium.

A spokesman for county Supervisor Ron Roberts said he had not read it.

Supervisor Dianne Jacob said she had not seen the proposal, but she supports a new stadium at the Qualcomm site as part of a “world-class sports complex.” Her idea includes youth sports facilities, trails, parks and housing and educational facilities for SDSU.

That article is so negative. :(


I don't really like it though. The idea is good, but Qualcomm needs to be completely replaced, not just "convert" it. A city like San Diego should not have an enclosed stadium anyways. A new "sports arena" should be an entirely different project located elsewhere away from the Chargers' stadium.

Alta looks good with that new Longs Pharmacy creating some foot traffic. :D

I think they meant that the Q would somehow be turned into a basketball/hockey arena, in addition to building a new football stadium. I dont know how they'd save any money using the existing Q structure though, a football stadium is SOOO much larger than a normal basketball arena, seems like it would cost less to just demolish the Q and build from scratch. What a spectacular demolition that would be!

Oh, I see what you are saying.:)


But I still think that a sports arena and a football stadium should not be located right next to each other.

Word. A sports arena needs to be downtown.

^Definitely.

Cool, it's finally open. What a great addition to the neighborhood.


******************************************************************************


I know it's got nothing to do with downtown, but I'm just excited that H & M is finally coming!! :tup:



Fashion Valley Adds Unique Luxury Stores to Strengthen Position as San Diego County's High Fashion Leader

PR Newswire - Simon Announces CH Carolina Herrera, Tourneau, Hermes, Michael Kors and More -

September 19, 2007

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Simon Property Group, Inc. , the country's largest owner, developer and manager of high quality retail real estate, announced today a wave of exciting tenants, almost all of them completely new to San Diego County, that will be coming to Fashion Valley. These new retailers position Fashion Valley as the unquestioned home of luxury retail in San Diego.

Area residents and tourists will be able to shop at the following luxury retailers in 2008, all of whom have chosen Fashion Valley to open their first store in San Diego. These desirable locations include: Barney's New York COOP, CH Carolina Herrera, Hermes, Jimmy Choo, Just Cavalli, M Missoni, Michael Kors and Tourneau.

A great collection of trend leaders will also call Fashion Valley home in 2008. These stores include Anthropologie, H&M, Juicy Couture and True Religion.

"Today's announcement solidifies Fashion Valley's prominence in the San Diego market," said Gary Lewis, executive vice president of leasing at Simon. "We truly believe that the San Diego region need not be underserved in the luxury market, and the great retailers who will be here in 2008 are an ideal fit for our Fashion Valley customer who expects nothing less than extraordinary merchandise and service."

"I just adore Southern California. Fashion Valley is fantastic," said Carolina Herrera. "I love how you can walk around in the sun to see all the other great shops. I cannot wait to open my own CH Carolina Herrera boutique there." Fashion Valley's CH Carolina Herrera boutique, scheduled to open in October, will have a warm and inviting atmosphere that features women's and men's collections as well as an extensive accessory collection.

"We feel Fashion Valley is clearly the right entry point for Tourneau in the San Diego market and is positioned correctly and that the results of the center are spectacular," said Howard Levitt, president of Tourneau. Tourneau, the foremost designer of luxury watches, plans to open on December 1 with 1,752 square feet of retail space.

Fashion Valley is a 1.7 million square feet super-regional shopping center located in San Diego. Anchors include Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Macy's and JCPenney. Fashion Valley is one of only three venues in the world with the combination of Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's. Fashion Valley's 18 million annual shopper visits makes its following larger than the combined annual attendance of San Diego destinations such as Sea World, Legoland, San Diego Padres, San Diego Chargers, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, The San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park.

Simon Property Group, Inc. is an S&P 500 company and the largest public U.S. real estate company. Simon is a fully integrated real estate company which operates from five retail real estate platforms: regional malls, Premium Outlet Centers(R), The Mills(R), community/lifestyle centers and international properties. It currently owns or has an interest in 380 properties comprising 258 million square feet of gross leasable area in North America, Europe and Asia. The Company is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and employs more than 5,000 people worldwide. Simon Property Group, Inc. is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol SPG. For further information, visit the Company's website at www.simon.com.

Fashion Valley is becoming too upscale for me.


But, they still have sweet hat kiosks. :)

[QUOTE=sandiego_urban;3064511]Cool, it's finally open. What a great addition to the neighborhood.


******************************************************************************


I know it's got nothing to do with downtown, but I'm just excited that H & M is finally coming!! :tup:



Fashion Valley Adds Unique Luxury Stores to Strengthen Position as San Diego County's High Fashion Leader

PR Newswire - Simon Announces CH Carolina Herrera, Tourneau, Hermes, Michael Kors and More -

September 19, 2007

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Simon Property Group, Inc. , the country's largest owner, developer and manager of high quality retail real estate, announced today a wave of exciting tenants, almost all of them completely new to San Diego County, that will be coming to Fashion Valley. These new retailers position Fashion Valley as the unquestioned home of luxury retail in San Diego.

Area residents and tourists will be able to shop at the following luxury retailers in 2008, all of whom have chosen Fashion Valley to open their first store in San Diego. These desirable locations include: Barney's New York COOP, CH Carolina Herrera, Hermes, Jimmy Choo, Just Cavalli, M Missoni, Michael Kors and Tourneau.

A great collection of trend leaders will also call Fashion Valley home in 2008. These stores include Anthropologie, H&M, Juicy Couture and True Religion.

"Today's announcement solidifies Fashion Valley's prominence in the San Diego market," said Gary Lewis, executive vice president of leasing at Simon. "We truly believe that the San Diego region need not be underserved in the luxury market, and the great retailers who will be here in 2008 are an ideal fit for our Fashion Valley customer who expects nothing less than extraordinary merchandise and service."QUOTE]

This is kind of a bummer. I was hoping that there would be more Flagships opening up in downtown. Unfortunately, developers/brokers didn't have the foresight to entice these retailers into downtown, thus continuing the building boom.

No developers other than JMI understand that to succeed long term, one needs to take risk. JMI took an enourmous risk in developing the ballpark, and they have reaped tremendous benifits. Residential developers were merely riding the wave, not investing anything in the retail portion (leasing at lower rates) to help themselves with continued sales.

We may see some high end around NBC. As for the ground level in the rest of downtown, the upside is that on average, it takes till the third lessee (in a redevelopment area/urban creative class type of neighborhood) to establish a permanent and successful retail location. Though disappointing for now, I wouldnt have expected anything substantive, and especially on a flagship level, immediately out of the gates for most locations. The exceptions are the Cafe Chloe's and 222's of the hood.

Let's just wait and see what happens when Westfield announces their renovation plans for Horton Plaza. I'm sure when they turn it "inside out", we'll be seeing a whole new tenant mix there. As ShekelPop said, NBC has potential to draw some big retail names when it's completed. But first and foremost, we should be more concerned about the existing retail space there is now.


**************************************************************************


On the subject of malls, I don't think I ever read any discussion here about Westfield's plans to build 4 high rise towers, as part of UTC's massive expansion plans that were announced last month. Of course the NIMBY's will have a field day with this one.

In case you missed the article:



Planned Expansion of UTC Could Cause Serious Concerns

City analysis lists potential impacts

By Chet Barfield
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

August 13, 2007

SAN DIEGO – A plan to nearly double the size of the University Towne Centre mall while adding offices, hotel rooms and residential units would generate nearly 18,000 additional vehicle-trips a day and pose other serious environmental concerns, according to a report issued last week.

The 650-page analysis by the city's Development Services Department found that even if four proposed 30-story towers were eliminated from the $900 million project, “significant and unmitigable impacts associated with traffic, air quality and solid waste would still occur.”

Westfield America wants to add 750,000 square feet of retail space to the University City mall, which opened in 1977 and was expanded in 1984 to just over 1 million square feet.

The company also wants to erect four buildings of 325 feet to 390 feet for up to 35,000 square feet of office suites, 250 hotel rooms and 725 apartments or condominiums. Those proposals would require zoning changes and master-plan amendments to the site's current height limit of 60 feet.

A Westfield senior vice president, Jonathan Bradhurst, said the plan to build upward is “creating great live, work and play environments” on what is now “an ocean of asphalt” parking lot.”

But a University City-based environmental group, Friends of Rose Canyon, is opposing the height variances, traffic impacts and overall scope of the proposed expansion.

“It's way out of scale,” the group's president, Deborah Knight, said of the proposed project. “It basicly busts the community plan wide open . . . and that sets a precedent.”

Westfield proposes to lessen traffic impacts by paying for added lanes and improvements on La Jolla Village Drive and surrounding streets, as well as widening nearby Interstate 805 offramps.

Most of the air-quality impacts cited in the report related to dust from construction. Westfield hopes to start building next year, keeping the mall open while sections are being renovated. After a final environmental report, the project would require approval from planning commissioners and the City Council.

In other environmental concerns, the draft report found the project would generate up to 358,000 gallons of sewage per day and that Westfield would have to pay for system upgrades. It would also send up to 2,578 tons of solid waste a year to the landfill.

The proposed project would use up to 281,000 gallons of water per day, three times the mall's current usage of about 89,000 gallons, the report said.

Westfield's plans include a $25 million transit station, providing access to express buses and possible future light-rail service to the area. Development Services Director Marcela Escobar-Eck said such mass-transit amenities would help offset the traffic impacts.

The report can be reviewed at the development services office and branch libraries in Clairemont and University City. Comments will be accepted through Sept. 24 and should be sent to Martha Blake, senior planner, City of San Diego Development Services Center, 1222 First Ave. MS 501, San Diego, CA 92101.

Additional information can be obtained by calling (619) 446-5000.

Go UTC! :)

Go to Washington DC's U Street or 14th Street. Look at San Francisco's SOMA / Ballpark area. These places opted to place the retail right away (not sure if it was subsidized) and it helped to move the neighborhood along more quickly.

From today's Daily Business Journal:

I believe this is the CCDC project website: http://www.ccdc.com/index.cfm?fuseac...propertyID=614

And image:

http://www.ccdc.com/images/propertyI...0%20%20C17.jpg

[QUOTE=sandiego_urban;3066705]Let's just wait and see what happens when Westfield announces their renovation plans for Horton Plaza. I'm sure when they turn it "inside out", we'll be seeing a whole new tenant mix there. As ShekelPop said, NBC has potential to draw some big retail names when it's completed. But first and foremost, we should be more concerned about the existing retail space there is now QUOTE]

Sounds great, but are there actually any realistic plans being discussed to turn Horton "inside-out"???? I didn't know Westfield was planning on rennovating it.

I used to cringe whenever I saw Westfield signs on every mall, it was like the "Wal-Martization" of malls - - the big companies swoop in and everything becomes just like everything else taking away all character. I guess the upside of a huge corporation like Westfield is they do have the money to accomplish mass-rennovation

I was in UTC the other day and saw they were building a Crate and Barrel, not one of the little ones we see at Fashion Valley and UTC malls, but a seperate building on the northeast side of the parking lot that looks like it will be the size of a department store!!

Ten fifty B
 

^^ the ten fifty B rendering looks decent and we need affordable housing downtown, I hope the project proceeds

That is what's so depressing about Horton Plaza. I have a feeling if we didn't have so much retail confined behind the walls of a hideous-looking 80s style mall in the middle of downtown, alot of those retail stores would be more dispersed throughout the gaslamp and east village, filling up some of the vacant space we have around dt :hell:

^^ I really like that building and think it's on a spot that's really going to help fill out downtown while at the same time taking some of the edge off of the massive Vantage Pointe building.

Looks like an excellent project. I would love to see this one go through.:tup:

Keep in mind that Horton Plaza was built during a time when downtown was a relatively dangerous place to be in. Stores needed to be in a "fortress," and the mall was constructed accordingly, away from the streets. Of course, circumstances have changed, and perhaps that a good enough reason to call for a redesign of the mall. However, I don't think we should be too quick to condemn Horton Plaza as it is now; it has served its purpose well.

Without a doubt. Horton Plaza was one of the main reasons for downtown's rebirth. I do hope the mall can eventually be reconfigured to blend in better with the surrounding city...pedestrian-only streets running through, stores on the exterior with residential, hotels, and/or offices above.

I'm picturing something like Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade.

Speaking about Horton Plaza...

what's up with the HIDEOUS orange paint job on the balboa theater?

God damn Chargers....

S T R A T A
 

http://www.ccdc.com/images/propertyI...rata_Final.jpg

It looks like these one might actually break ground soon in EV!

Along both 10th and 9th south of market they have put up wooden sidewalk 'tunnels' and have added an advertisement sign on the 9th ave side. It will look nice adding to the high-rise row on the south side of market next to the mark

They still need to level the old dry-cleaner

Hopefully Hotel Indigo, scheduled to go in next to it, will break ground soon as well - - -

:D

Oh, I thought Strata was dead (for now).

I have always liked that tower though. It's unique. :)

Hotel Indigo would look good, too. ;)

Cosmo Square
 

Rumor has it that the Cosmo. Square team has cured their default and will bring the project back as both a condo and hotel project... Design to stay the same..

Let's wait and see.

They are still advertising on site actually.

wow, cool!! hadn't heard that - - is the rumor from a reliable source? ;)

doing some or all of the project as a hotel would make sense

Office Building in EV ??
 

Right in between the ballpark self sotrage and a hotel, I have noticed some dmeolition work going on, as well as an application for commercial space posted a couple weeks ago.

I don't see anything on CCDC, but did find plans on an architect's website for a building called 'Nolan' - - - anyone have any info on this??? I hope it is the project that they are demolishing and making plans for, check out the site:

http://www.fehlmanlabarre.com/#home

go to 'projects'

'commercial'

'the Nolan'

:previous: Yeah that was mentioned here a few months ago in reference to a San Diego Metro article. It's one of those specialized boutique commerial spaces that's supposed to bring in more high-end office workers to the East Village.

It is being done by the Boys of Stingaree / Sidebar / Witherbee

I like the buildnig. Too bad it has to be located next to the hideous Ballpark Self Storage.


Speaking of the Ballpark Self Storage, are there any plans to replace it?

Last I heard this was being converted to apartments (funny didnt everything used to convert to condos)... It is being done by the same group that did the Current Apts in Little Italy (which I think is a nice project)... It is supposed to go forward and break ground by the end of the year...

Very reliable source... but they just cured the default... I don't know if they have the rest of the $$$ to actually build the darn thing.

BTW the architect for the project (New York based firm) died recently. Very sad.

I smell snow-job on the Strata project. Don't get me wrong, I want to see the project move forward, but since when are sidewalk tunnel type things errected to protect pedetrians from a simple demolition of a concrete block 1-story building??? Huh? Additionally, those things were put together elsewhere and dropped off. They don't appear at all intended to last more than 3-4 weeks at most! They are tilting on 10th!

I hypothesize that the would-be Strata developer has arranged a drive-by for a potential investor.

No?

I heard that the Hanover Company was looking at it for apartments.

They framed up the walkways on Friday and Saturday. I spoke with the carpenters but they didn't know anything.

You speak Spanish?!

Strata
 

Hanover purchased Strata from Intracorp. They are demo-ing this week and will begin digging in early October. This project is happening...this is not a show.
Same exterior design, same height, but fewer floors and units. They are increasing the ceiling heights and increasing the size of the units. Hanover will be doing luxury apartments there.

:previous: Nice!

Verified. The LLC that ownes it, Stata Companies has the same address as Hanover Co...in San Felipe Texas.

I like. :tup:

That's great news about Ten Fifty B, Strata and Cosmopolitan Square!! :)


I exchanged e-mails with the GM of Horton Plaza sometime last year, who said they were planning a massive overhaul of the entire center that includes opening up the mall on all sides to the streets. Do you recall the announcement of possibly putting an office building at the site of the former Planet Hollywood building? Well, this is part of the big renovation, along with a new hotel tower along G St.

Westfield is currently expanding Plaza Bonita and has recently announced plans to expand both UTC and North County Fair. I'm sure the Horton plans will be released soon, don't you think?

UTC is in the process of doubling it's size, and should give Fashion Valley a run for it's money. Check out the expansion plans here
http://westfield.com/thenewutc/vision/index.html

Shots of the skyline that I took yesterday. It's expanding and filling in nicely :tup:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y12...n/IMG_1123.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y12...n/IMG_1169.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y12...n/IMG_1154.jpg