[Mariobrotha]

Miramar will ALWAYS be the only choice.

Any idea when we should be expecting the next round of base closures?

[PadreHomer]

Miramar will ALWAYS be the only choice.

Any idea when we should be expecting the next round of base closures?
It is so obvious and perfect of a location. The lack of foresight in this community is astounding. The amount of jobs a REAL airport would create here would make a significant impact. Because of overcapacity at LAX, airlines and freight WANT to direct more traffic to SAN, but they can't because of Lindbergh. There is a huge amount of unused land in the Miramar area surrounded by multiple freeways which service nearly the entire county. There is just very little political vision in this "town".

[bmfarley]

It is so obvious and perfect of a location. The lack of foresight in this community is astounding. The amount of jobs a REAL airport would create here would make a significant impact. Because of overcapacity at LAX, airlines and freight WANT to direct more traffic to SAN, but they can't because of Lindbergh. There is a huge amount of unused land in the Miramar area surrounded by multiple freeways which service nearly the entire county. There is just very little political vision in this "town".
I am very certain the region thinks the same way; however, with the military there and in total control of decisions, there is absolutely nothing the area can do... vote or no vote. The Federal Government trumps local.

If the feds were to absolve themselves of that land, this region in a heart beat would move forward with efforts to make it an airport.

[eburress]

I am very certain the region thinks the same way; however, with the military there and in total control of decisions, there is absolutely nothing the area can do... vote or no vote. The Federal Government trumps local.

If the feds were to absolve themselves of that land, this region in a heart beat would move forward with efforts to make it an airport.

Don't be so sure about that. I think WE all know that Miramar is this city's only realistic location/hope for an international airport and I think WE all know what a "real" international airport would do for this city's economy...

...but...

...we should also remember who lives in this city. A bunch of people who want to hold onto some outdated vision of San Diego as a quaint beach town and who definitely do not want economic expansion. A bunch of NIMBYs who are way more concerned about their own good (or property values) than the good of the city or region. A bunch of lame-asses whose only goal in life (seemingly) is to keep this city from being what it could be and then wonder why it is continually in the red.

WHEN (not if) Miramar is shut down, this city is going to have one helluva battle on its hands getting an airport built there because all the surrounding communities are going to fight it to the death.

[staplesla]

Miramar will ALWAYS be the only choice.

Any idea when we should be expecting the next round of base closures?

Don't count on it any time soon. With the economy in the tanks I doubt Obama wants to close bases and stir up any drama.

[IconRPCV]

Now if I am totally off base let me know but I think that it is all the out of state transplants and not the natives that are the big NIMBY's. Ex Chicagoans and Northeasteners move out here to escape all the big taxes and trappings of their former cities and want SD to stay the complete opposite of their former environments. In addition they have no real connection to the place like a native has.

Perhaps I am an a-hole, or perhaps I am just tired of getting yelled at as being so fair-weather by all the Steeler and Patriot fans who move here yet instead of becoming a San Diegan insist on proclaiming their in your face allegiance to their former town.

[staplesla]

Don't be so sure about that. I think WE all know that Miramar is this city's only realistic location/hope for an international airport and I think WE all know what a "real" international airport would do for this city's economy...

...but...

...we should also remember who lives in this city. A bunch of people who want to hold onto some outdated vision of San Diego as a quaint beach town and who definitely do not want economic expansion. A bunch of NIMBYs who are way more concerned about their own good (or property values) than the good of the city or region. A bunch of lame-asses whose only goal in life (seemingly) is to keep this city from being what it could be and then wonder why it is continually in the red.

WHEN (not if) Miramar is shut down, this city is going to have one helluva battle on its hands getting an airport built there because all the surrounding communities are going to fight it to the death.

I live in University City and I would rather have an international airport at Miramar than a military institution. The fighter jets are extremely loud and though an airport would mean increased flights, the air traffic wouldn't be as loud.

[kpexpress]

Is there no room for an airport in Balboa Park? Might be nonrealistic, but it just came across me as an option (it is late and I might be loopy at this point)

[Crackertastik]

#1 Miramar is the obvious choice, but it's prolly never going to happen.

#2 Put it in the desert and have a high speed rail system, 200 MPH straight shot from the city to the site.

#3 Have some freaking foresight, realize tech is already ready to have a floating airport, and put it a few miles out into the ocean.

Those are the ONLY options in my opinion. There is no where else. And staying at Lindbergh is not an option in my opinion either.

[PadreHomer]

I am very certain the region thinks the same way; however, with the military there and in total control of decisions, there is absolutely nothing the area can do... vote or no vote. The Federal Government trumps local.

If the feds were to absolve themselves of that land, this region in a heart beat would move forward with efforts to make it an airport.
They did an advisory vote on the subject a few years ago and it lost overwhelmingly.

[kpexpress]

I am relatively new to San Diego, but correct me if I'm wrong, but it feels as if there is no forward thinking and ambitious planning when it comes to capital improvements here. I wish I was here to see how the trolley ever got off the ground. If this city doesn't think for the future and act now we will be so far behind the times and it will just continue to choke the city's growth and competitive edge.

[staplesla]

I am relatively new to San Diego, but correct me if I'm wrong, but it feels as if there is no forward thinking and ambitious planning when it comes to capital improvements here. I wish I was here to see how the trolley ever got off the ground. If this city doesn't think for the future and act now we will be so far behind the times and it will just continue to choke the city's growth and competitive edge.

I agree totally. I've lived in Europe, the East Coast and Texas, and San Diego is the worst for planning and vision.

[SDCAL]

They did an advisory vote on the subject a few years ago and it lost overwhelmingly.

Yes, but the vote was stupid. It was done when Miramar was in existence and the military was saying it would not give up the site

I think IF the feds close Miramar, the vote might be different. Then the question of moving the base would be answered, it would just be a vote on should the land be used for an airport

Yes, there would be plenty of NIMBYs near the site voting no, but the NIMBYs in Point Loma would probably vote yes in glee that the airport would be out of their backyards lol

I am still perplexed by why we had the vote when we did

If we had voted "Yes", what would have happened? The military still wouldn't have left

If you are serious about any chance of Miramar closing, I recommend writing your Congressional rep.

[SDCAL]

Is there no room for an airport in Balboa Park? Might be nonrealistic, but it just came across me as an option (it is late and I might be loopy at this point)

HAHA I think you picked the one spot that would be WORSE than Lindbergh's current locale ;)

BP is one of our city's best assets, it is my favorite spots in SD, it has all the stuff our city lacks - - culture, history, it shouldn't be touched

[staplesla]

You guys are aware that the lines are going to be trenched right? My spouse is the project manager for the HSR and due to state and federal laws there can't be any level crossing; therefore, all lines must be elevated or below grade. The HSR is to share right of way downtown with the trolley so they will all be trenched.

[bmfarley]

You guys are aware that the lines are going to be trenched right? My spouse is the project manager for the HSR and due to state and federal laws there can't be any level crossing; therefore, all lines must be elevated or below grade. The HSR is to share right of way downtown with the trolley so they will all be trenched.

You spoke to something along this line before. I am glad to see design work is being done. The original adopted preferred alignment has HSR being airial from the SD River all the way to Santa Fe Depot. But many things have changed at SFD that makes an airial structure seem very very unpalatable, if not doable.

Do you know when information will be presented publicly about the work being done by your husband? Or who the work is being done for; CHSRA, CCDC, or maybe even MTS? It would be interesting to learn of what characteristics are planned for a station at Santa Fe Depot and what may happen when passing through the Old Town Station. Or, what of the other rail infrusture through the same corridor for freight, Amtrak and Coaster. SFD is interesting because the block from Ash to Broadway is approximately the same length of a possible HSR train and seems to pose challenges with fitting in 4 positions for train layover/staging.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n71/farleybrandon/Rail/HSR-SD.jpg

[kpexpress]

You spoke to something along this line before. I am glad to see design work is being done. The original adopted preferred alignment has HSR being airial from the SD River all the way to Santa Fe Depot. But many things have changed at SFD that makes an airial structure seem very very unpalatable, if not doable.

Do you know when information will be presented publicly about the work being done by your husband? Or who the work is being done for; CHSRA, CCDC, or maybe even MTS? It would be interesting to learn of what characteristics are planned for a station at Santa Fe Depot and what may happen when passing through the Old Town Station. Or, what of the other rail infrusture through the same corridor for freight, Amtrak and Coaster. SFD is interesting because the block from Ash to Broadway is approximately the same length of a possible HSR train and seems to pose challenges with fitting in 4 positions for train layover/staging.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n71/farleybrandon/Rail/HSR-SD.jpg

When I watch all the youtube videos of the High Speed Rail in California, they all seem to portray an extremely cutting edge modern station in every city that the HSR stops at (i.e. San Jose, Bakersfield, and of course SF). I hope that they can still use the Santa Fe Depot as the High Speed Rail Station, whether that be underground or at grade similar the the Amtrack/Trolley lines.

Also, according to the map you have posted here it seems that the line will go pass or through both Lindbergh Field and Miramar so if the airport was moved to Miramar there would still be a quick and convenient access to the airport from Downtown and access to a multi-sport (chargers) olympic grade stadium that hopefully will find a home where Lindbergh currently sits.

With the above changes (Airport, HSR, and Sports Venue) San Diego will for sure be seeing multiple Summer Olympics and the economy will reap the benefits.

Can anyone say 1000 footers!!!!

[staplesla]

You spoke to something along this line before. I am glad to see design work is being done. The original adopted preferred alignment has HSR being airial from the SD River all the way to Santa Fe Depot. But many things have changed at SFD that makes an airial structure seem very very unpalatable, if not doable.

Do you know when information will be presented publicly about the work being done by your husband? Or who the work is being done for; CHSRA, CCDC, or maybe even MTS? It would be interesting to learn of what characteristics are planned for a station at Santa Fe Depot and what may happen when passing through the Old Town Station. Or, what of the other rail infrusture through the same corridor for freight, Amtrak and Coaster. SFD is interesting because the block from Ash to Broadway is approximately the same length of a possible HSR train and seems to pose challenges with fitting in 4 positions for train layover/staging.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n71/farleybrandon/Rail/HSR-SD.jpg

My husband has shown me some of the designs but at this time I can't comment because he says nothing is being released by his firm yet. As soon as I can I will copy and post some for you guys.

[bmfarley]

My husband has shown me some of the designs but at this time I can't comment because he says nothing is being released by his firm yet. As soon as I can I will copy and post some for you guys.
Yeah, I understand and suspected as much. The information should be in the public domain before being released to places like this.

[kpexpress]

Any news on the library?

[Fusey]

Not too much. They're still doing studies to see if a high school is feasible.

San Diego school board OKs money for school/library study
6:57 a.m. January 14, 2009

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego school board voted to put $20,000 toward a study on the feasibility of adding a 300-student high school to the city's proposed $185 million central library downtown.

The vote was 4-1, with board member John Lee Evans objecting. Evans questioned whether it was wise to build a downtown library when the city has considered closing branch libraries and when the school district has built on-campus libraries but does not have enough librarians to staff them.

One student from a downtown school expressed concern that the move might take money away from him and his fellow students.

Board member John de Beck proposed the expenditure, saying the board will never know if the idea is a good one unless it is studied.

The joint school/library proposal arose last month from an effort to save the new central library, which is in danger of losing a $20 million state grant if it cannot move ahead soon. Private fundraising has fallen short of the $50 million needed to begin construction.

City officials have proposed using $15 million to $20 million from November's Proposition S to fill the funding gap. The money was earmarked in the ballot measure for a downtown school.

There was no discussion at last night's meeting of what the total cost of a feasibility study would be, or the city's share.
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jan/14/san-diego-school-board-oks-money-schoollibrary-stu/?zIndex=37025

[kpexpress]

So I just got back from the inauguration and took a walk down to the Hilton Bayside to check out the construction of the pedestrian bridge, restoration of the old style street cars at MTS (I can't wait 'til these hit the rails) and then took a walk along the bayside and noticed that there is a new ferry service from the newly named 5th Ave Landing to Coronado Ferry Landing and water taxis to wherever you want to go around the bay.

I think this is sweet. anyone taken the ferry from this 5th ave landing?

[CoastersBolts]

So I just got back from the inauguration and took a walk down to the Hilton Bayside to check out the construction of the pedestrian bridge, restoration of the old style street cars at MTS (I can't wait 'til these hit the rails) and then took a walk along the bayside and noticed that there is a new ferry service from the newly named 5th Ave Landing to Coronado Ferry Landing and water taxis to wherever you want to go around the bay.

I think this is sweet. anyone taken the ferry from this 5th ave landing?

How is construction progressing on the pedestrian bridge? I hope it's not one of the many infrastructure projects that is/would be affected by the state's budget crisis. Plus, I thought the old-style trolleys would be operating downtown by now?

[kpexpress]

I will post pics of the bridge soon. So far I see rebar columns can be seen rising out of the ground at least twenty feet in the air (on both sides of Harbor Drive).

I saw the old style street cars in the MTS headquarters last night, couldn't tell if any progression has come to pass since the last time I saw them, although the positions of the trolleys have been rearranged since last time. Now the green ones are closest to the garage doors, last time the orange ones were closest to the garage doors.

[kpexpress]

Okay, I went around downtown tonight with my camera and snapped a few shots at some projects just to update everyone. This is an attempt to spark more interest in peeps on this forum, cause lately it seems as if the SD thread is sort of dead.

I apologize up front for the shitty quality of my pics, it was dark and I was in a hurry (gots to get to Alby-land before they closed)

First off the Harbor Bridge Pedestrian Bridge:
http://www.ccdc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=projects.projectDetail&propertyID=579

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn60/kpexpress42/DSC04619.jpg
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn60/kpexpress42/DSC04623.jpg
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn60/kpexpress42/DSC04624.jpg


The Nolan (looks the same as it did three months ago):
http://www.ccdc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=projects.projectDetail&propertyID=652

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn60/kpexpress42/DSC04618.jpg

Hotel Indigo:
http://www.ccdc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=projects.projectDetail&propertyID=557
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn60/kpexpress42/DSC04631.jpg
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn60/kpexpress42/DSC04634.jpg

Stratta:
http://www.ccdc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=projects.projectDetail&propertyID=580

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn60/kpexpress42/DSC04637.jpg
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn60/kpexpress42/DSC04638.jpg

Parkside:
http://www.ccdc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=projects.projectDetail&propertyID=656
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn60/kpexpress42/DSC04639.jpg
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn60/kpexpress42/DSC04642.jpg

16th and Market:
http://www.ccdc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=projects.projectDetail&propertyID=622
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn60/kpexpress42/DSC04643.jpg
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn60/kpexpress42/DSC04644.jpg

Studio 15:
http://www.ccdc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=projects.projectDetail&propertyID=618
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn60/kpexpress42/DSC04646.jpg
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn60/kpexpress42/DSC04650.jpg

Thomas Jefferson School of Law:
http://www.ccdc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=projects.projectDetail&propertyID=666
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn60/kpexpress42/DSC04657.jpg

And soon to be home/office of Rob Wellington Quigley (next to the Mission on 13th):

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn60/kpexpress42/DSC04641.jpg

[mello]

Thanks for taking the pics, this thread needed a boost thats for sure.

[spoonman]

Seems like there's a lot of activity in the Market Street/Island Avenue Area. I think the law school will be a shot in the arm for East Village.

[SLO]

Nice to see some activity

[druna974]

Someone told me they were talking with a contractor working on Strata this weekend, and there are new plans to top off at 12 floors, rather than 23. Has anyone heard this and can confirm or deny it?

[tdavis]

Someone told me they were talking with a contractor working on Strata this weekend, and there are new plans to top off at 12 floors, rather than 23. Has anyone heard this and can confirm or deny it?

I heard this as well. But it wasn't from a reliable source so is just gossip at this time.

[mongoXZ]

Strata @ 12 floors? That sucks! Hope it doesn't happen.

[bmfarley]

Strata @ 12 floors? That sucks! Hope it doesn't happen.We will know soon enough. Strata is at about 11 floors right now.

[HurricaneHugo]

There will be hell to pay if that happens.

[kpexpress]

Well, the crane is still high enough in the air to accommodate a height clearance for a 23 floor building, but I doubt that IF the building was scaled back they would take the time and money to adjust the height of the crane, unless this is required by law or OSHA or something. Any thoughts?

I walk past it everyday on my way to school; tomorrow I will see if I can spot someone who looks like they know what's going on and ask them if this rumor is true.

[Fusey]

This is an attempt to spark more interest in peeps on this forum, cause lately it seems as if the SD thread is sort of dead.


Unfortunately with the economy the way it is things are going to be fairly dead for awhile. The bulk of new jobs at my work are CEQA/NEPA related for projects several years away from development.

[druna974]

Well, the crane is still high enough in the air to accommodate a height clearance for a 23 floor building, but I doubt that IF the building was scaled back they would take the time and money to adjust the height of the crane, unless this is required by law or OSHA or something. Any thoughts?

I walk past it everyday on my way to school; tomorrow I will see if I can spot someone who looks like they know what's going on and ask them if this rumor is true.

The Hotel Indigo crane just came down last week, which could have impeded with the Strata crane if they were the same level. I doubt they would waste the time to lower it. They are pouring the cement columns today that will take it to at least 12, we'll know soon. Selfishly, if it goes over 15 stories, it will block my sweet view of the mountains from The Mark....

[staplesla]

Just an update on HSR. My husband came home last night and said all but 6 of the transportation division of engineers were laid off. Thankfully he was one of the 6. He said his hours are being cut though and since HSR isn't considered to be "shovel ready," they won't receive any of Obama's stimulus money. And he says that because the state is cutting payments to vendors (i.e., one of the reasons for layoffs at his firm), the HSR will most likely be delayed a few years.

[HurricaneHugo]

Selfishly, if it goes over 15 stories, it will block my sweet view of the mountains from The Mark....

Well, if it does happen, hopefully it gets replaced by a view of a young lady's bedroom/shower. :D

[stockjock]

Speaking of large lots does anyone know who owns the land on the lot between 8th & 9th north of C? I looked at the CCDC's website and couldn't find any projects listed there. With Vantage Pointe getting ready for completion and 1050 B Street's crane up and running it seems like that area will be getting busier and busier over the next few years.

This is a greatly delayed answer to your question. I believe that block is owned by Bosa Development. Plans were (are?) to eventually build a highrise on half of the block and a park on the other half. One would assume that the real estate market would need to improve before anything happens and that probably won't occur for some time.

[kpexpress]

I just returned home from pulling an all-nighter at school and on the walk back I stopped off at the Stratta construction site to ask if the rumors of the project being scaled back to 12 floors instead of 23 floors were true. The first dude I talked to looked as if he was a lower-todum-pole guy and he said he didn't know how tall it was going, but he hadn't heard of any news of the project being scaled down at all. I wasn't satisfied, so I walked down to a small group of hard hat wearing men to ask further. I asked this tall white guy with a 'stache (he looked like one with some varying degree of authority and knowledge of the site) and he said that the project hasn't been scaled back, and in fact the total height will be 23 floors as originally designed.

[staplesla]

I just returned home from pulling an all-nighter at school and on the walk back I stopped off at the Stratta construction site to ask if the rumors of the project being scaled back to 12 floors instead of 23 floors were true. The first dude I talked to looked as if he was a lower-todum-pole guy and he said he didn't know how tall it was going, but he hadn't heard of any news of the project being scaled down at all. I wasn't satisfied, so I walked down to a small group of hard hat wearing men to ask further. I asked this tall white guy with a 'stache (he looked like one with some varying degree of authority and knowledge of the site) and he said that the project hasn't been scaled back, and in fact the total height will be 23 floors as originally designed.

good news!

[SDCAL]

kpexpress
"I asked this tall white guy with a 'stache (he looked like one with some varying degree of authority and knowledge of the site) "

LOL, OK - - I guess short ethnic men without hair on their upper lip just look clueless ;)

[kpexpress]

kpexpress
"I asked this tall white guy with a 'stache (he looked like one with some varying degree of authority and knowledge of the site) "

LOL, OK - - I guess short ethnic men without hair on their upper lip just look clueless ;)

Just sayin' it like it looked man.

[bmfarley]

School District says no to contributing to study to examine the possibility of a school, such as a high school, to be a part of the $180m downtown library.

This was discussed here within the past 2-8 weeks; this is an update. Board members cited a handful of reasons for declining to contribute 90% of the study's $167k cost, or about $150k. Cited was that the school district is suffering shortfall, is considering shutting down elementary schools, and questions the need for a downtown high school. Basically, it does not make sense.

Therefore, it would seem the library project is on schedule to be cancelled.

[HurricaneHugo]

I need a little help on a photo essay for my urban studies class...I need to "take" pictures that answer this question: When and where should the state (government) step in and have a say in urban design and/or architecture?

Obviously a couple of pictures of suburbia, then maybe of the waterfront, any other ideas? I need enough to write three pages on the subject lol.

[bmfarley]

I need a little help on a photo essay for my urban studies class...I need to "take" pictures that answer this question: When and where should the state (government) step in and have a say in urban design and/or architecture?

Obviously a couple of pictures of suburbia, then maybe of the waterfront, any other ideas? I need enough to write three pages on the subject lol.

On the surface, those seem like success stories, even suburbia, while the question seeks failures in leadership in urban design and/or architecture. I'd suggest pics where architectural themes are widely inconsistent with each other, or the failures of suburbia. Maybe:

Santa Fe Depot with Sapphire in the background
Traffic on I-15
Traffic in Mission Valley
Traffic in Sorrento Valley
11th Ave Bus Stop at SmartCorner (under-designed for level of use)


That is all I got for now.

[kpexpress]

Quick question for everyone who frequents this thread: where does everyone live? If in SD, which neighborhood?

I live Downtown in the East Village (although being the biggest of all downtown neighborhoods, I have heard it being called the Ballpark District, but I prefer to call it SOMA)

[Fusey]

I'm in the Marina for now, but I'm leaning towards buying a house closer to work (Mission Valley). In my opinion downtown needs more to justify the cost of living there. I read this literally 10 seconds before reading your post:

Downtown group orders its priorities
Residents rank library, dog park, other projects
By Jeanette Steele
Union-Tribune Staff Writer
12:02 p.m. February 3, 2009

Everybody seems to be penning wish lists these days for government funding, what with President Obama poised to dole out $500 billion for public works projects.
The San Diego Downtown Residents Group has a wish list, too. Gary Smith, president of the 300-member association, delivered it to San Diego's downtown redevelopment agency last month.
The nonprofit Centre City Development Corp. has been leaderless since July, when former President Nancy Graham resigned, meaning there's no one at the top to dictate which projects get attention. But the downtown residents want to be heard.
Topping the list is the Quiet Zone project, which would install new railroad crossings from Laurel Street to Fifth Avenue so trains wouldn't have to blow their horns at night (and downtown residents can get a good night's sleep). City officials have asked the Obama administration for $20 million toward this project.
Vote here (http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/feb/03/downtown-group-orders-its-priorities/?zIndex=47304).

I'd love to see something done about the waterfront. There's unlimited potential there and, unfortunately, the city seems to be satisfied with the status quo. Over the weekend I ran into some French tourists and that was their number one complaint as well (they ended up going to PB instead).

[staplesla]

Quick question for everyone who frequents this thread: where does everyone live? If in SD, which neighborhood?

I live Downtown in the East Village (although being the biggest of all downtown neighborhoods, I have heard it being called the Ballpark District, but I prefer to call it SOMA)

I live in La Jolla, just a few blocks from Prospect. We've been in CA for 2 years.

[CoastersBolts]

I live in Allied Gardens but from Rancho Bernardo. Despite the fact that my parents live in Carlsbad (I don't), I have never lived outside the San Diego city limits while I've lived in San Diego County.

[HurricaneHugo]

On the surface, those seem like success stories, even suburbia, while the question seeks failures in leadership in urban design and/or architecture. I'd suggest pics where architectural themes are widely inconsistent with each other, or the failures of suburbia. Maybe:

Santa Fe Depot with Sapphire in the background
Traffic on I-15
Traffic in Mission Valley
Traffic in Sorrento Valley
11th Ave Bus Stop at SmartCorner (under-designed for level of use)


That is all I got for now.

Well with the waterfront I was thinking about how the bay is blocked off by the Convention Center/Hilton/Hyatt/Marriot, etc;

[HurricaneHugo]

New way to save the library:

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/feb/03/city-responds-state-library-school-idea/?zIndex=47370

[sandiego_urban]

Quick question for everyone who frequents this thread: where does everyone live? If in SD, which neighborhood?


Been a long time since I've posted here, anyways, I live in Kensington.

[bmfarley]

Quick question for everyone who frequents this thread: where does everyone live? If in SD, which neighborhood?

I live Downtown in the East Village (although being the biggest of all downtown neighborhoods, I have heard it being called the Ballpark District, but I prefer to call it SOMA)
Bankers Hill

[SD_Phil]

Quick question for everyone who frequents this thread: where does everyone live? If in SD, which neighborhood?

I live Downtown in the East Village (although being the biggest of all downtown neighborhoods, I have heard it being called the Ballpark District, but I prefer to call it SOMA)

Hillcrest

[HurricaneHugo]

Quick question for everyone who frequents this thread: where does everyone live? If in SD, which neighborhood?

I live Downtown in the East Village (although being the biggest of all downtown neighborhoods, I have heard it being called the Ballpark District, but I prefer to call it SOMA)

Reppin' da hood.

I'm straight outta Mount HOpe!

but i'm an OG from Sherman Heights

or "She-hey" as the yuppies like to call it

[kpexpress]

East Village News:

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/feb/04/n7863819504-bn04mammoth/?zIndex=48085

[kpexpress]

I know a photographer who is coming from out of state to do a couple photoshoots with some local models. She is looking for a place downtown or somewhere else that has some contemporary highrises with roof top decks overlooking the city or ocean. Anyone have any ideas for some locations for these shoots? I know that SmartCorner, Icon, Marriott all have roof tops, but I need some help. Please chip in some ideas, and if you know of anyone who might be able to get her up to some of the roof top decks listed above or not listed please let me know. Thanks.

[Crackertastik]

I need a little help on a photo essay for my urban studies class...I need to "take" pictures that answer this question: When and where should the state (government) step in and have a say in urban design and/or architecture?

Obviously a couple of pictures of suburbia, then maybe of the waterfront, any other ideas? I need enough to write three pages on the subject lol.

In my opinion, you could use the Hyatt, Marriott, and Convention Center Waterfront developments as an example of the government failing to step in to protect the interests of the city residents. The waterfront there is completely sealed off to the residents and the city. It was terrible planning, and execution. It was a misstep that our city government did not demand these projects include public access to the waterfront.

[voice of reason]

Perhaps the planning for the convention center and the adjacent hotels was not the best. Mediocrity is what government does best. But there is access to the waterfront in those areas. One can go down the road to Seaport village, thru the Hyatt, around on the bike trail and then go to the large park that is by the water. There are a number of ingress/egress options that I use often without much of a problem. There is an ongoing project behind the Convention Center that will make it more enjoyable and accessable. What is the solution? Tear them down?

[Crackertastik]

Perhaps the planning for the convention center and the adjacent hotels was not the best. Mediocrity is what government does best. But there is access to the waterfront in those areas. One can go down the road to Seaport village, thru the Hyatt, around on the bike trail and then go to the large park that is by the water. There are a number of ingress/egress options that I use often without much of a problem. There is an ongoing project behind the Convention Center that will make it more enjoyable and accessable. What is the solution? Tear them down?

Hugo, i just saw you already mentioned this idea prior to my post. Go with it.

The point is, it isn't EASILY accessible. You can access it, but it's a pain, and quite a journey to do so. The city should have definitely made it a point to express concern over this lack of access. Lack of view corridors or access points along these developments. A good topic for Hugo.

The solution is to do what they are doing, making the South and Northern edges of this Hotel grouping more inviting and make the lead in to the area more obvious.

[Fusey]

Manchester bullish on Navy Broadway
Developer Doug Manchester is optimistic about going ahead with the landmark Navy Broadway Complex project as soon as the lawsuits challenging it are settled, which is expected to be in the fourth quarter of this year.

That's what Manchester spokesman Perry Dealy told San Diego's downtown redevelopment agency Wednesday.

Dealy was asked by an agency board member if the project -- which includes an administration building for the Navy, hotels, offices and shops -- is still viable in the current economy.

"If anyone can answer that question with authority, God bless them. But we are committed to this project. It's the best urban waterfront development property," Dealy said. "When any development takes place, this will be the first location.This is A++."

He also said Manchester has been talking to hoteliers and is optimistic that he'll have takers when it is time to build those hotels.

"We're hopeful, considering this project will be open in 3 years, with phase 1," he said. "That's probably not a bad window to open the hotels."

He said the proposed expansion of the San Diego Convention Center, which would double the center's space, would greatly help them with the hotels.

Dealy discussed the legal timeline after the meeting. The developer, city and Navy have been sued by opponents who argue more environmental study is needed, given that the project started in the early 1990s and then got delayed by a recession.

Dealy said if there are appeals in those cases, the legal battle could drag on into 2010.

Moores plans for BallPark Village stand
The sale of the Padres will not deter longstanding plans for Ballpark Village, the last big swath of undeveloped downtown land controlled by team owner John Moores.

Moores' development company, JMI Realty, is apparently going to keep the land because, according to a Thursday e-mail from company spokesman Steve Peace, "The Padres sale has no effect on Ballpark Village."

Peace said the company is going ahead with a large convention hotel on land just across Park Boulevard from Petco Park. JMI has had plans to resubmit an application that was pulled earlier because of a conflict of interest. Marriott Corp. was once going to run the hotel but retracted its offer.

JMI is partnering with Lennar Corp to build hotels, offices and housing at the Ballpark Village site.
http://weblog.signonsandiego.com/news/breaking/ut_polblog/index.html

[sandiego_urban]

I know a photographer who is coming from out of state to do a couple photoshoots with some local models. She is looking for a place downtown or somewhere else that has some contemporary highrises with roof top decks overlooking the city or ocean. Anyone have any ideas for some locations for these shoots? I know that SmartCorner, Icon, Marriott all have roof tops, but I need some help. Please chip in some ideas, and if you know of anyone who might be able to get her up to some of the roof top decks listed above or not listed please let me know. Thanks.
Don't forget about the rooftop bars/lounges at The W, Stingaree, JBar at Solamar and Hard Rock.

The point is, it isn't EASILY accessible. You can access it, but it's a pain, and quite a journey to do so. The city should have definitely made it a point to express concern over this lack of access. Lack of view corridors or access points along these developments.
Bingo! You'd never know that there is a waterfront on the other side of the convention center and bayfront hotels if you are in the gaslamp or ballpark district. Sure, the new pedestrian bridge will make it easier, but as it is now, you have to go all the way to 5th Ave to cross Harbor Drive, then you still have to climb atop (or go around) the cc to make it to the water. Couldn't they have built the cc partially underground or built it perpendicular to the shoreline?

I can't wait for the day convention centers become obsolete, so they can blow that thing up and create easy access between downtown and the bay once again. :yes:

[sandiego_urban]

Some random shots of the skyline, and in and around downtown that I took recently -

From Point Loma
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/city-data%204/IMG_8367.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/city-data%204/IMG_8370.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/city-data%204/IMG_8350.jpg

From Harbor Island
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/city-data%204/IMG_7962.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/city-data%204/IMG_7973.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/city-data%204/IMG_7938.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/city-data%204/IMG_7999.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/city-data%204/IMG_7993.jpg

The reason for our stubby skyline
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/city-data%204/IMG_7986.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/city-data%204/IMG_8094.jpg

From Broadway Pier
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/city-data%204/IMG_8029.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/city-data%204/IMG_8030.jpg

From Tuna Harbor
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/city-data%204/IMG_8051.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/city-data%204/IMG_8052.jpg

Seaport
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/city-data%204/IMG_8057.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/city-data%204/IMG_8061.jpg

From Embarcadero Marina Park
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/city-data%204/IMG_8065.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/city-data%204/IMG_8066.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/city-data%204/IMG_8073.jpg

New bayside park next to Hilton
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/city-data%204/IMG_8080.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Jaygergon/city-data%204/IMG_8084.jpg

That's all for now!

[futurearchie317]

Great shots.

Honestly, the density of the skyline at this point is much more impressive than other cities with taller but fewer buildings spaced apart. I've seen it referred to here as the "toothpicks in the sand" phenomenon (think Atlanta, Cleveland, etc.) Despite this being a skyscraper forum, I think most here agree vitality at street level is much more important to a thriving city than is a CBD of tall buildings that empty out each night. One need only look to Paris or London (sans La Defense and Canary Wharf, respectively) in taking this argument to the logical extreme. Now I'm not comparing SD to these cities, but my point is I wouldn't worry about your "stubby" skyline.

[HurricaneHugo]

I need a little help on a photo essay for my urban studies class...I need to "take" pictures that answer this question: When and where should the state (government) step in and have a say in urban design and/or architecture?

Obviously a couple of pictures of suburbia, then maybe of the waterfront, any other ideas? I need enough to write three pages on the subject lol.\

Any other ideas? lol

[mello]

I know a photographer who is coming from out of state to do a couple photoshoots with some local models. She is looking for a place downtown or somewhere else that has some contemporary highrises with roof top decks overlooking the city or ocean. Anyone have any ideas for some locations for these shoots? I know that SmartCorner, Icon, Marriott all have roof tops, but I need some help. Please chip in some ideas, and if you know of anyone who might be able to get her up to some of the roof top decks listed above or not listed please let me know. Thanks.

The only easily accessible rooftop downtown with sweeping ocean views I can think of is the ballpark Marriott. Shooting from the outside patio at Bertrand at Mr. A's in Bankers Hill would give her some really nice skyline views and if it is a clear day with the right lighting (time of day) you could make the ocean and bay very visible in the photo from that vantage point.

It will be hard to get shots with high rises all over the place and the water all in one. If she only needs a big balcony and not an entire roof top she could pay the owners of the penthouses of some of the new condo buildings to allow her to shoot for a couple of hours from their balcony... If I think of anything else I will send you a pm. :cheers:

[Marina_Guy]

Perhaps the planning for the convention center and the adjacent hotels was not the best. Mediocrity is what government does best. But there is access to the waterfront in those areas. One can go down the road to Seaport village, thru the Hyatt, around on the bike trail and then go to the large park that is by the water. There are a number of ingress/egress options that I use often without much of a problem. There is an ongoing project behind the Convention Center that will make it more enjoyable and accessable. What is the solution? Tear them down?

Tear it down sounds good to me. :) This is so sad that downtown does not embrace the water. The majority of view corridors have been closed to accommodate buildings with inappropriate mass.

You could open one corridor, the space between the Hyatt and Marriott. There is a ballroom there, that could be torn down and large open space could be created to get people to see the water and access it. Other than that we will have to wait 20 years until the convention center is a white elephant and will be torn down.

I am not too excited about the proposal to build an addition to it right behind the current one. That is just a horrible idea. And who is the cheerleader on that one... The Great Visionary... Jerry Sanders...

[Fusey]

^ While we wait for the convention center to die (doubtful) at least it'd be nice to see something done to the embarcadero. Might as well embrace as much waterfront that we have left.

[SacTownAndy]

Those pics on the previous page were awesome!

[PadreHomer]

I didn't see anyone else post this, but in what should be a surprise to no one, the Pep Boys building has lost the Rite-Aid signs and now has a new "Available" banner.

[kpexpress]

I didn't see anyone else post this, but in what should be a surprise to no one, the Pep Boys building has lost the Rite-Aid signs and now has a new "Available" banner.

I am still baffled as to why they run that powered light on the West side of that building all night long. Seems like a huge waste. Anyone know what is going on with this site/building?

[Fusey]

Pressure to Decide Civic Center’s Fate Picks Up Tempo
By NED RANDOLPH - 2/9/2009
San Diego Business Journal Staff

While a plan to redevelop a new downtown Civic Center has lain dormant for six months, it is by no means dead, city officials say.

The project was derailed in August — shortly after the Centre City Development Corp. narrowed the developer proposals to two finalists — when a potential conflict emerged in the main cost-assessment report by real estate services firm Jones Lang LaSalle.

It seems the report’s lead author had accepted a job with CB Richard Ellis, another firm mentioned in the report as a candidate to manage the new complex.

CCDC, a bit punchy from the scandal and resignation of former president Nancy Graham last summer, requested a third-party peer review, funded by Jones Lang LaSalle. That review by the accounting firm of Ernst & Young should be submitted this month, says Jeff Graham, a spokesman for CCDC.

The sole developer vying for the project, Portland, Ore.-based Gerding Edlen Development, is eager to get moving.

“Originally, the City Council promised us they would make a decision last October, but we’ll be lucky if it makes a decision by April,” said Tom Cody, a principal with Gerding Edlen. “The longer they delay, the more money they will waste.”

The city needs a long-term solution to house all 3,100 downtown city workers.

The current complex, which incorporates five public buildings, houses only a third of them. City departments are separated not by programs but by space constraints, which hinders services and worker productivity.

The city spends $13 million annually on office leases, which are set to expire in 2013 and 2014.

Meanwhile, deferred maintenance is estimated at $125 million for seismic upgrades, hazardous materials removal, and fire sprinkler installations on the city-owned buildings.

“It’s a 50-year solution at a minimum,” said Graham. “We would expect a new state-of-the-art building to last 100 years and beyond.”

New Thinking

By redesigning the area, the city could house all workers on-site, using 30 percent less space, according to Gerding Edlen.

The new design would improve access and government transparency, align workspace to departmental needs and create a catalyst for economic development along C Street. All of this would cost less than the city currently spends, says the developer.

“Ultimately, what the city needs to understand is that it’s going to cost us more money in the end to do nothing,” said Jean Walcher, a spokeswoman for Gerding Edlen. “It will ultimately save the city money, create 13,000 jobs and create economic development that’s so critical to the city’s future.”

After a national search, Gerding Edlen emerged as one of two finalists on the project along with Hines Interests, the Houston-based developer that built Petco Park.

“Both submitted detailed proposals with financial designs, and we fully vetted both of those,” said Graham. “According to Jones Lang LaSalle’s analysis, Gerding Edlen saved the city the most amount of money. “Hines knew that was the most overriding condition. They decided to withdraw.”

City analysis said that Gerding Edlen’s proposal would cost $628 million to $650 million over 50 years, compared to Hines’ $784 million proposal.

Iconic Government Building

Gerding Edlen’s proposal features an iconic tower that resembles a sail.

“The sail was inspired by what we think is the ethos of San Diego — the form related to the natural elements that define climate and culture here: sunshine, the wind and ocean breezes,” said Braulio Baptista, the lead architect from Portland, Ore.-based Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects. “Downtown is full of dumb boxes.”

Plans call for ground floor retail in all buildings along with some housing and perhaps a hotel. Gerding Edlen would act as the city’s private partner and finance the project through the nonprofit National Development Council, which provides tax-exempt financing for such efforts.

The city’s new favorable investment grade bond rating also lowers cost estimates from the original proposal, said Cody.

“And in times of economic turmoil, there is typically a flight of investors to treasury and municipal debt because it’s seen as being secure,” he said.

The city, which would maintain ownership of the land, would lease the property from Gerding Edlen on a 33-year term.

Cody downplayed the recession’s impact, saying that it will be years before construction begins on the private components such as retail, residential and a hotel.

City Hall would rise first as the anchor tenant at a construction cost of $527 million for a 1 million-square-foot building. The second and third phases, whose construction costs are estimated at $679 million, would include residential and office towers, a fire station and a refurbished theater. It may also include a hotel. Gerding Edlen, which would finance the construction, would manage the property and recoup much of the costs through private leases.

“The private development would not come online until 2015,” he said. “You’re going to have the most progressive sustainable building on the West Coast, and the biggest anchor tenant in downtown San Diego as a draw.”

As opposed to converting the 1963-era Golden Hall to office space, which would cost $1.05 billion, Gerding Edlen’s proposal would save more than $400 million over the next 50 years, Cody said.

“The city is sitting on a time bomb because it has no control over the way it spends money. The current economic climate only amplifies and underscores the need to solve this time bomb,” Cody said. “There’s a huge latent defect liability in these buildings: asbestos, seismic. It’s not only an embarrassment but a liability.”

Lengthy Timeline

Despite overtures to complete the project by the time the city leases expire, the city will likely require short-term negotiations.

The project would need two years of predevelopment, including feedback from city officials, city employees and residents. Construction would take three years.

Graham said he’s not expecting any earth-shattering revelations from Ernst & Young. The cost estimates may be off simply from the recession.

“I think we all know that in September ’08 the climate changed dramatically and continued downward since then,” said Graham.

The final draft is expected to be completed by the end of the month. The City Council could take it up in March.

Graham also believes the project can go forward in the recession.

“The revenue shortfalls will affect the city with whatever course of action we take, even if we continue to lease space and renew the leases,” Graham said. “All cost the city millions of dollars a year to operate, including operating and maintenance costs of city-owned buildings on the complex.”
http://www.sdbj.com/industry_article.asp?aID=64014595.53390702.1741766.9273208.80137102.443&aID2=133973

[Crackertastik]

Seriously...what are these dumbtards thinking? Our airport issue isn't going to be fixed with shiny new terminals. It's the SINGLE RUNWAY geniuses.


Plan would shift airport operations northward
Gates would stay on the south side
By Steve Schmidt
Union-Tribune Staff Writer

2:00 a.m. February 9, 2009
The county Regional Airport Authority is considering building a parking garage near Terminal 2. (Howard Lipin / Union-Tribune) -

The passenger terminal would have trolley, rail and freeway access. Existing terminals would be replaced in the second and third phases. Click for larger image
OVERVIEW

Background: Several local government agencies formed a committee last year to craft a long-term development plan for Lindbergh Field.

What's changing: The panel's recommendation includes relocating most passenger operations to the airport's north side, except boarding gates.

The future: The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, which has the final say on any airfield improvements, is expected to consider the recommendation as soon as next month.

A panel of political heavyweights, chaired by San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, is charting the future of Lindbergh Field – and plotting a course to the north.

After nearly a year of meetings, the Ad Hoc Airport Regional Policy Committee is putting the final touches on a proposal to shift most passenger operations to the north side of the airport, along Pacific Highway.

The $5 billion to $12 billion overhaul would include a new passenger terminal, parking lots and a transit hub linked to Interstate 5 and a planned bullet train.

When the project is completed, perhaps by 2030, departing travelers would check in at the new terminal and ride a subway under the runway to boarding gates on the south side.

“The idea is . . . to move as many operations as we can to the north,” said Alan Bersin, a panel member and chairman of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority.

The Sanders committee was created in an attempt to forge a consensus among local government agencies regarding development in and around San Diego International Airport, the nation's busiest single-runway commercial airfield.

Bersin noted that broad agreement on the fate of the airport has eluded San Diego for decades.

But now, he said, “for the first time in 50 years, we have a plan that will garner widespread community support and provides for the future of Lindbergh Field.”

In 2006, county voters overwhelmingly rejected a ballot measure to possibly build a commercial airport at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station, leaving airport planners with no viable alternative to Lindbergh Field.

The Sanders panel includes county Supervisors Greg Cox and Ron Roberts and former state Sen. Steve Peace, along with representatives of the San Diego Unified Port District and the San Diego Association of Governments.

The group is expected to forward its recommendation to SANDAG directors and the San Diego City Council as soon as this week. The Sanders panel will discuss the issue at a public meeting set for 7:15 a.m. Thursday in the airport authority board room, 3225 N. Harbor Drive.

SANDAG and the City Council are expected to vote on the idea and then refer it to the airport authority by next month. The city and SANDAG contemplated suing the authority last year in a dispute related to traffic congestion around the airport.

The authority has the final say on airport development. The agency is already weighing $900 million to $1 billion in short-term improvements, including adding boarding gates and building a five-level, 5,000-space parking garage near Terminal 2.

The Sanders panel did not take a position on the garage, which critics say would worsen traffic on Harbor Drive.

Lindbergh Field officials expect annual passenger counts to reach 22 million by 2020. The airport handled 18.1 million passengers last year.

Sanders hopes San Diegans will embrace the go-north concept. He said he believes it will benefit neighborhoods near the airport while improving transportation in the region.

Sanders said shifting most passenger services to Pacific Highway will ease congestion on Harbor Drive and other streets, and directly tie Lindbergh Field to freeway, rail and trolley systems.

“We're trying to make it easier for people to get in and out of the airport,” the mayor said. “I see it as a land-use template for the future.”

Ramona Finnila, a member of the airport authority's board, said she doesn't feel obliged to back the idea even if it represents a political consensus.

Finnila said improvements at the airport must be based first on “what's best for aviation and what's best for the aviation community.”

The Sanders panel, working with highly paid consultants largely funded by the airport authority, believes the transformation of Lindbergh Field should unfold in phases.

Phase one: Relocate Hertz and other major rental-car companies to the north side of the airport from Harbor Drive. The companies would be placed under one roof, similar to the rental-car centers found at many airports.

Build a transit hub along Pacific Highway, with bus, San Diego Trolley and Amtrak stops. It also could house a bullet-train station. California voters last fall approved a ballot measure to spur the creation of a statewide high-speed rail system. The train is expected to eventually include stops in San Diego.

Develop the first stage of a passenger terminal on the north side, with check-in counters and other services. A fleet of buses, running on airport property, would shuttle travelers to the south-side boarding gates.

Passenger services still would be available on the south side.

Projected phase one cost, figuring in inflation: $615 million to $830 million. Possible completion date: 2015.

Phase two: Expand the north-side passenger terminal to include a subway linked to boarding gates on the south.

Build flyover ramps linking the terminal and other north-side facilities to Interstate 5.

Add gates to the existing Terminal 2 concourse near Harbor Drive and rebuild Terminal 1, Lindbergh's oldest and most cramped concourse. The subway would stop at both terminals.

Retain some parking and passenger services on the south side while expanding services and adding parking on the north.

Projected phase two cost: $2.1 billion to $3.9 billion. Possible completion date: 2020.

Phase three: Shift all passenger services to the north side except boarding operations. Expand the north-side terminal and build a multilevel parking structure parallel to I-5.

Airport planners say the garage would be about the same height as the elevated freeway, or possibly shorter.

Projected phase three cost: $2.3 billion to $7.6 billion. Possible completion date: 2030.

Houston-based Jacobs Consultancy, which so far has earned $3.2 million to analyze Lindbergh Field for the Sanders group, said many of the improvements could be funded through landing fees and other airport revenues.

Other likely sources of money include federal grants, fees paid by rental-car companies and city redevelopment funds.

Parking lots, rental-car shops and other airport-related businesses fill most of the north-side land targeted for change.

Sanders and Peace favor moving all passenger services to the north, including gates.

But officials at the nearby Marine Corps Recruit Depot have told the Sanders group they are unwilling to part with the 27 acres needed to relocate the gates.

Sanders and Peace said the panel recommendation, as currently crafted, leaves open the possibility of gates on the north side if the military changes its position.

Peace called the transit hub the centerpiece of the group recommendation. He said tying together mass transit will make the region more economically competitive.

Robert Watkins, a member of the airport authority, said the improvements could serve as a showcase public works project for the economically ailing region.

“I see it as a good time to do something like this,” Watkins said.

[staplesla]

I didn't see anyone else post this, but in what should be a surprise to no one, the Pep Boys building has lost the Rite-Aid signs and now has a new "Available" banner.

Rite-Aid cancelled all U.S. expansion plans after their stock plummeted 92% year-year. They purchased Eckerd Drug Store and Brooks in 2007 and haven't been able to overcome the debt load. I don't even imagine in one year they will still be around.

[kpexpress]

In regards to the airport, if what I know SD development trends this will most definitely end up being poorly planned, under-designed, over budget, and well behind schedule. I really feel like this is a step in the wrong direction.

Are all these plans moving forward with no real commitment from the Navy to give up the land in the future?

[staplesla]

In regards to the airport, if what I know SD development trends this will most definitely end up being poorly planned, under-designed, over budget, and well behind schedule. I really feel like this is a step in the wrong direction.

Are all these plans moving forward with no real commitment from the Navy to give up the land in the future?

We all need to write the Mayor, city council, and airport board.

[Crackertastik]

My issue with the airport is that even in the best of scenarios, it is a small single runway airport with limited capacity for fleights and air cargo capabilities. And, it is in a prime location much better suited for commercial and residential use on a marvelous scale. It is absolutely the WORST location on a land value v. land use scale.

So perhaps new terminals will make it shiny, and flipping access to the north side will make it more streamline. It will still not be able to bring in air cargo of any significant amount which LA needs us to assist with, and it still will be lacking only 10 years after if it completed.

SHORT SIGHTED to say the LEAST

[kpexpress]

What about having a truly international airport down on the border?

Why can't they turn Montgomery Field into a more cargo oriented airport?

What I don't understand is why San Diego is cutting off it's own income with this inadequate airport. Tourism is SD's 2 largest industry so why can't we land a direct flight from Singapore, Tokyo, Busan and Beijing??

[staplesla]

Lindbergh will continue to fall behind other airports as more carriers continue to invest in the larger, more efficient wide bodied planes. These planes can't land at Lindbergh, and it shows a lack of foresight on behalf of the Mayor's office, city council, and airport board.

[kpexpress]

Although the airport is plagued with lack of planning and bad location it is quite convenient to get in and out of.

[Marina_Guy]

Although the airport is plagued with lack of planning and bad location it is quite convenient to get in and out of.

Agreed. And the number of actual flights (not passengers) hasnt changed much is 10 years...

[Crackertastik]

Agreed. And the number of actual flights (not passengers) hasnt changed much is 10 years...

Which is mainly due to larger and larger planes, planes that will not be able to get into Lindbergh. Or will have to go to LAX and then to here on a smaller plane. The airport's runway limitations create huge barriers for travel and commerce into our city.

It is convenient. But its also a waste of prime real estate for it to be situated there.

[Fusey]

Too bad the Marines won't move out... Until that happens, we're stuck with Lindbergh.



Library gets an extension:

State gives San Diego extension on school-library
By Jeanette Steele
Union-Tribune Staff Writer
2:53 p.m. February 11, 2009


California's chief librarian is giving San Diego until July to move forward on a $185 million downtown central library and school, but she wants to see the money from private donors who have kept the project alive for years.
Susan Hildreth, the outgoing state librarian, said she is “concerned” about the “viability” of local funds.
In response to San Diego's request to keep a $20 million state grant – even though city officials missed the Dec. 31 deadline to move forward – Hildreth is demanding to see proof of the reported $33 million in private pledges.
“Please provide donor agreement letters or similar documents that verify the availability of the $33 million in private contributions as mentioned,” she wrote to the city in a letter Wednesday.
The library, estimated in 2005 to cost $185 million, is short on funds because private donations have fallen below expectations.
The city and its school district are still trying to figure out who will pay for a $168,000 feasibility study to determine whether a new high school school can be graphed onto the long-standing library blueprints in order to use $15 million to $20 million in school bond money to fill the funding gap.
The school-library concept surfaced late last year, just as the state grant was set to expire. The plan is to use money from November's Proposition S that was earmarked for a new downtown school.
A nonprofit foundation has raised $33 million toward the $85 million goal for private funds, including $1 million from the Hervey Family Foundation and $2 million from David Copley, chairman and CEO of The Copley Press Inc. and publisher of The San Diego Union-Tribune.
The rest of the money would come from $80 million in redevelopment tax dollars, plus the $20 million state grant.
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/feb/11/bn11library-move-forward/?zIndex=51584

[sdFan09]

Why does it seem like the HSR website doesn't focus on San Diego at all? There are no plans for the stations in the region and the only video of San Diego is of the train passing Mission Bay. Is San Diego behind the rest of the State on this as well?

[mongoXZ]

Regarding a new airport site: Has anyone drove east on the 905 until the freeway ends? It's been a few years since I passed by there but it's just a bunch of light industry and warehouses in proximity to the Otay border crossing. Other than that. . .FLAT LAND! A few tiny hills but nothing a land mover can't pave over. I don't know why this site has been overlooked.

Oh and ditto on all the comments about the airport plan being short sighted. What a waste of billions of dollars on nothing more than a big band-aid.

[staplesla]

Thought you guys would like to see this.

You can click on any project, see the amount, number of jobs created, leave notes, etc.

http://www.stimuluswatch.org/project/by_city/San%20Diego/CA

[HurricaneHugo]

Why does it seem like the HSR website doesn't focus on San Diego at all? There are no plans for the stations in the region and the only video of San Diego is of the train passing Mission Bay. Is San Diego behind the rest of the State on this as well?

it's not coming to SD that's why...

the LA-SF portion gets built, then they're like "oh no moneyz for you."

[HurricaneHugo]

and LJVD/805 interchange?

i wish a Regents Road Bridge over the canyon would be in there...

[staplesla]

it's not coming to SD that's why...

the LA-SF portion gets built, then they're like "oh no moneyz for you."

Yes it is. My husband is currently designing the line here.

[Fusey]

By the time HSR comes to San Diego most of us here will either retired or dead. :haha:

Regarding a new airport site: Has anyone drove east on the 905 until the freeway ends? It's been a few years since I passed by there but it's just a bunch of light industry and warehouses in proximity to the Otay border crossing. Other than that. . .FLAT LAND! A few tiny hills but nothing a land mover can't pave over. I don't know why this site has been overlooked.

I'm not sure why that site is rarely mentioned, but TJ's airport is right on the border. Maybe something to due with flight patterns nixes that area?

[IconRPCV]

I thought the trolley extension to La Jolla was on the list.:(

[PadreHomer]

Really, why not Brown Field for an airport site?

[HurricaneHugo]

I thought the trolley extension to La Jolla was on the list.:(

Well do they have a set route?

[Crackertastik]

There was an interesting discussion via reader comments on SignOnSanDiego.com about the role of the San Diego Airport. While it is my opinion that the airport is in a location that is better served as a different type of use, commercial, dense residential preferably, the arguements for the current plan are not bad...

Basically, the arguement is that San Diego is a destination location, and the need for a Hub Airport is unwarranted. San Diego operates planes at less than full capacity, and the redesign will allow for more people even though current designs can accomodate to some extent. No major upgrade needed.

#2The one i read that i do take to heart is the image of San Diego as a destination for a specific lifestyle. What is the fascination with making this a Chicago-esque city. Its great how it is. Why does it need to be larger, or more populated. Why not just have San Diego be what it is today, maintain population and make standard of living better by beautification.

This last point i agree with to some extent. Do we really want 3 million in our city. I think that would alter what makes the place so great. And to that point, is a LARGE airport really necessary, rather than upgraded one to make the experience for our current population more enjoyable.

Thoughts?

[bushman61988]

There was an interesting discussion via reader comments on SignOnSanDiego.com about the role of the San Diego Airport. While it is my opinion that the airport is in a location that is better served as a different type of use, commercial, dense residential preferably, the arguements for the current plan are not bad...

Basically, the arguement is that San Diego is a destination location, and the need for a Hub Airport is unwarranted. San Diego operates planes at less than full capacity, and the redesign will allow for more people even though current designs can accomodate to some extent. No major upgrade needed.

#2The one i read that i do take to heart is the image of San Diego as a destination for a specific lifestyle. What is the fascination with making this a Chicago-esque city. Its great how it is. Why does it need to be larger, or more populated. Why not just have San Diego be what it is today, maintain population and make standard of living better by beautification.

This last point i agree with to some extent. Do we really want 3 million in our city. I think that would alter what makes the place so great. And to that point, is a LARGE airport really necessary, rather than upgraded one to make the experience for our current population more enjoyable.

Thoughts?


The only problem I have with the airport is the height limit the FAA enforces over all of downtown...it just doesn't make sense to me...
Even during an emergency, if a plane that is crippled or is losing control would probably not do it directly over downtown. In the EXTREMELY unlikely event that it DID happen, I really doubt that approaching from the south over downtown at 500 feet would be enough for a plane to somehow straighten up and land on a runway that runs Northwest, Southeast. It just doesn't make sense to me why 500 feet...

Why not something like a more stepped-back, progressive height limit approach, with the further north in downtown and the closer to the flightpath that buildings get, the lower the height limits should be, and vice versa for going farther south. I think the Hilton Convention Center Hotel should be able to reach close to 1,000 feet and still be close to a mile from the flightpath and safe from approaching planes.

I actually do like the Airport's location and convenience, but the height limit sucks, and gives us a really stubby, although more dense skyline.

The fact that planes have to approach right over thousands of homes is kind of scary too, but it is a nice located airport...

Isn't there any way to get the FAA to change their ridiculously-strict guidelines?

[staplesla]

There was an interesting discussion via reader comments on SignOnSanDiego.com about the role of the San Diego Airport. While it is my opinion that the airport is in a location that is better served as a different type of use, commercial, dense residential preferably, the arguements for the current plan are not bad...

Basically, the arguement is that San Diego is a destination location, and the need for a Hub Airport is unwarranted. San Diego operates planes at less than full capacity, and the redesign will allow for more people even though current designs can accomodate to some extent. No major upgrade needed.

#2The one i read that i do take to heart is the image of San Diego as a destination for a specific lifestyle. What is the fascination with making this a Chicago-esque city. Its great how it is. Why does it need to be larger, or more populated. Why not just have San Diego be what it is today, maintain population and make standard of living better by beautification.

This last point i agree with to some extent. Do we really want 3 million in our city. I think that would alter what makes the place so great. And to that point, is a LARGE airport really necessary, rather than upgraded one to make the experience for our current population more enjoyable.

Thoughts?

I've lived in NYC and left to get away from the rat-race, and I certainly don't want to see the same here. However, this area will continue to grow regardless of what we want. And to build something based off of what we desire, instead of what is realistic is absurd. Also, you state the article says the re-designed airport "will allow for more people." Maybe more people in the terminal, but what does that accomplish? You have to have more runways for increased landing/landing capacity to get more people to and from San Diego Int'l.

[Mariobrotha]

StaplesLA is right, San Diego's population growth is inevitable whether we like it or not. We'll hit 3 million soon enough with or without the help of a major hub airport.

It's selfish to think that we have to hold onto our current airport just to maintain quality of life for the here and now.... we need a plan that will better the quality of life for our future generations as well.

[spoonman]

The metro has been at 3 milion for years...guess you're referring to the city boundaries

[kpexpress]

anyone know the current city proper population? The signs say something like 1.3 million. that is not a lot of people when you take into consideration how spread out the city boundaries are. now 1.3 downtown on the other hand.......