I like hearing this idea, but I have real concerns over homeless issues and design. San Diego tends to do a terrible job of both. Why am I imagining the current Horton Square but quadrupled in size with bag ladies and schizophrenics walking around aimlessly on a concrete/post-modern tragedy?
I'm not saying that this a bad idea, but this needs to be done the RIGHT way, and I'm not sure if this city is every really able to do anything the right way.
I really, really, really hope this works out, because we do need a space like the ones you've described.
And why am I surprised that Westfield is so willing to do all of this? Is this part of a long term strategy?
I'm sure Westfield is motivated due to their PAC expires in 2014. Gotta spend it now! I have faith that this can work out and be a great place. The key is to not ceed design approval to Westfield and participate in the community workshops and preliminary design review meetings to give your two cents and rally your neighbors to show up and make sure this turns into something we can all be proud of.
Call me an optimist, but this is better than doing nothing, but short of what really needs to happen to Horton Plaza to bring it back up to the competitive level on par with other regional malls like UTC and Fashion Valley.
in RE: to Horton Plaza demo work, the key is to convince the public that $0 will come from the general fund to pay for this, and Westfield is donating $1 Million to Balboa Theater, Lyceum Theater, and a Homeless Shelter (divided to all three). And Westfield will maintain the whole park (including Irvin Gill fountain) for 25 years - again no money from the general fund.
And remember, the renderings are not the final design - they are just an artist rendering. A slew of public workshops will be held to form the design, and the historic building left in the plaza will have cafes and restaurants on the plaza (would be great for lunch) and LIMITS only 1200 sqft of kiosks (max 4) in the plaza.
This will be amazing for downtown - think Bryant Park, Union Square (SF), etc. This city needs this and HOrton needs it more.
I agree. I'm just hoping they don't use palm trees around the fountain like the rendering below shows. Can't we have some leaves? Jacarandas maybe? If done right, it could definitely be a gather place for people. A weekly farmer's market would be a good fit there, as well as food trucks and carts, small concerts, rallys, festivals. It's definitely better than that hideous building that's there now. I say bring it!
Okay to call the architecture of the convention center expansion "striking" is really a stretch. The only thing really "striking" about the whole project is the park. Aside from that it looks like nothing special or memorable. I'll only concede that its functional and will be less expensive than expected (hopefully). Build it, but lets not lie to ourselves that this is an amazing design.
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"I firmly believe, from what I have seen, that this is the chosen spot of all this Earth as far as Nature is concerned." - Luther Burbank on Sonoma County.
The new renderings for the convention center expansion look terrible (the wall part along the walkway). What happened to the old proposal of those digital screens and windows along that walkway? That looked much more modern and clean. Big concrete and stucco walls... no thanks. They can come up with something better then that and it isn't that hard to do.
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The new renderings for the convention center expansion look terrible (the wall part along the walkway). What happened to the old proposal of those digital screens and windows along that walkway? That looked much more modern and clean. Big concrete and stucco walls... no thanks. They can come up with something better then that and it isn't that hard to do.
Agreed, I have big issues with the wall facing the water as well. These are simple urban design principles that somehow are forgotten...... A LOT IN THIS CITY..cough..cough convention center and sight lines to the water..
I like hearing this idea, but I have real concerns over homeless issues and design. San Diego tends to do a terrible job of both. Why am I imagining the current Horton Square but quadrupled in size with bag ladies and schizophrenics walking around aimlessly on a concrete/post-modern tragedy?
I'm not saying that this a bad idea, but this needs to be done the RIGHT way, and I'm not sure if this city is every really able to do anything the right way.
I really, really, really hope this works out, because we do need a space like the ones you've described.
And why am I surprised that Westfield is so willing to do all of this? Is this part of a long term strategy?
In the OPA Westfield has agreed to maintain the space (horton square park as well) and program it with over 200 events annually (will help with the amount of vagrants) FOR 25 YEARS! As well as putting up a cool $1 Million for Balboa and Lyceum theater upkeep costs and a homeless shelter.
I agree. I'm just hoping they don't use palm trees around the fountain like the rendering below shows. Can't we have some leaves? Jacarandas maybe? If done right, it could definitely be a gather place for people. A weekly farmer's market would be a good fit there, as well as food trucks and carts, small concerts, rallys, festivals. It's definitely better than that hideous building that's there now. I say bring it!
I may be wrong, but I think the idea is to restore the square back to it's original design by Irving Gill.
That little building that I believe houses an Abercrombie should go. It just doesn't look right. Take that away and you have the makings of a great square.
That little building that I believe houses an Abercrombie should go. It just doesn't look right. Take that away and you have the makings of a great square.
I don't think they can, I think that building may be historical.
I don't think they can, I think that building may be historical.
The Bradley Bldg is historic and can't be demo'ed. but can be reprogramed to activate the plaza like a restaurant, coffee shop, bookstore, etc. I think the abercrombie would have to go cause it's not part of the bradley but tacked onto the side of the Bradley.
Everyone needs to stop being shallow stop looking at this rendering as if that's the final design. The Bradley will be reprogramed and activate the plaza.
The Bradley Bldg is historic and can't be demo'ed. but can be reprogramed to activate the plaza like a restaurant, coffee shop, bookstore, etc. I think the abercrombie would have to go cause it's not part of the bradley but tacked onto the side of the Bradley.
Everyone needs to stop being shallow stop looking at this rendering as if that's the final design. The Bradley will be reprogramed and activate the plaza.
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