Good news but let's see how long it'll take to actually break ground. I won't hold my breath. It's funny to see some of the comments made about this on signonsandiego. ie this idiotic comment by "sky173":

"I am all through San Diego everyday. The metropolitan playground is about to collapse because of overbuilding downtown. The homeless and gangs will be living in all the overbuilt units down there because no one will be able to sell them, so they will have to rent them cheap.. North Park is growing because Hillcrest got too small for the homosexuals. There's not too many other places in the city where they will be tolerated!"

Whenever I need a good laugh I always look at the reader's comments under the articles.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/teaser...-center310.jpg

It seems like the City Hall project is the most feasible project on the boards right now simply because of the potential economic benefits. I was trying to think of other proposals or projects where the city could reap a long term net gain, but all I can really think of is Qualcomm redevelopment (and even that is tenuous because it involves potential stadium construction which is usually not cost effective). Can you guys think of other things besides City Hall where the City or county could be looking at tangible cost gains if only they would put more effort into getting something through?

On a grand scale: a larger international airport?

I used to wonder why San Diego lacks the long term vision of growth and development in the public sector (ie expanded trolley, street cars, airport, stadium, etc) but now after reading all the comments on that article I realized that the people down here are so disconnected from what's needed in terms of public capital improvement. They seem to over look what capital improvements will bring to the area.... lower operating costs, job creation, increased revenue, economic stimulation, etc. Sometimes I hate San Diego when I read comments from the dumb public on the UT.

( Not sure if this is for a short period, though I'm really starting to like San Diego more... I think the beaches and landscape may be part of it)

I don't get it.

San Diego is a town FULL of NIMBYs who only care about their own property values - not job creation, increased revenue, economic stimulation, etc...

Don't just hate on SD hate on the whole USA. The vast majority of americans are dumb, bigoted, closed minded individuals. I am afraid no one knew the extent of this until the internet allowed them to voice their opinions freely without fear of repercussions.

I agree. People in the United States are retarded, particularly in San Diego.

:worship: :worship: SO TRUE!!!!! SOMEBODY SAID IT:banana:

Nice pano I took this afternoon from the 19th floor of the leasing office of Smart Corner.

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...martcorner.jpg

Demo updates from Smart Corner:

Goodyear:
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...2/DSC05612.jpg

13th Street Park (CCDC):
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...2/DSC05614.jpg

Closer:
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...2/DSC05613.jpg

Anybody have any further thoughts on the new City Hall building, which looks to be a fairly sure bet? I like it. At 34 stories it could be around 450'. It reminds me a bit of San Jose's new city hall--in the sense of the modern style--thus the 2nd and 3rd largest cities in CA, would have that commonality.

More info in the City Hall(from Gerding/Edlin), which is only the first phase of a multi-phase proposal: HERE

on edit: Great panorama btw(a couple posts up)!

I passed by East Village for the first time in a few months and I noticed that Strata looks HUGE! It looks bigger and bulkier than the renderings. Remember how there were rumors that they were paring it down to 15 floors?

As for the new city hall project: I like it a lot. It was much better than the boxy Hines proposal. The centerpiece 500' tower looks like a good change from the typical boxes that have sprouted up in our skyline over the last decade.

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/n...DSC05619-1.jpg
Stratta is HUGE! Looks way taller due to the fact that the curved part of the building has no setback, straight UP! I love this building, it's true that the renderings did not give it justice. I'm stoked for it, but hope that the ground level retail doesn't stay empty for years like The Mark and Icon. And please no more pharmacy stores.

Stratta is HUGE! Looks way taller due to the fact that the curved part of the building has no setback, straight UP! I love this building, it's true that the renderings did not give it justice. I'm stoked for it, but hope that the ground level retail doesn't stay empty for years like The Mark and Icon. And please no more pharmacy stores.[/QUOTE]

$20 says the retail will be something the neighborhood has no need for...

Why can't we have a Trader Joes?????

$20 says the retail will be something the neighborhood has no need for...

Why can't we have a Trader Joes?????[/QUOTE]

Alright, I was waiting for this to happen. EVERYONE PLEASE WEIGH IN, HERE'S THE QUESTION:

WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE GO IN AT THE GROUND LEVEL RETIAL SPACE IN STRATTA? TWO ANSWERS, WANT, AND A REALISTIC GUESS.

mine:
I would love to see a Target Urban Store. http://www.newurbannews.com/TargetInsideOct05.html

My guess is that it will sit empty for three years with a for lease sign in the window. Just please no more pharmacies or sports bars!!!

One more question for everyone. Who FREAKIN' loves Market 32 on 10th and Island? I DO. If you haven't tried the Acai berry bowl with the works, you need to. But what's up with the uping of the price? Now $5.99. My thoughts are that if they break the $5 level they need to offer two different sizes! I shared my thoughts with them, but haven't seen much action taken yet.

if you haven't been to Market 32, GO! Tomorrow! Amazing fruit, cool guys. They just rented that historic house on 13th between Park Blvd East Garage and the historic Victorian on the corner of 13th and Island.