SAN DIEGO | Boom Rundown, Vol. 2

[Steadfast]

Originally Posted by mello

Just saw a photo of skyline in the business section of UT for the weekly Sunday "Econometer" feature. It looks like its taken from a drown or helicopter from above Nasco just over the bay looking down on Tenth Ave Marine terminal. The photo is probably taken from 200 to 300 feet above the bay and it makes SD look very dense and impressive.

I've noticed this is probably the best angle when driving on the Coronado bridge at the beginning "West End" of the span. The density of East Village looks chunky and you can see most of the major towers and how they all come together from this shot.

If anyone has a drone can you try to take some videos and pics on a clear day coming up this fall from that angle? I know it may be illegal to take a drone up that close the Navy Base but if you went to that little park in Barrio Logan on the bay and did it from the fishing pier quickly I'm sure no one would notice. Thanks in advance

I was just thinking the same thing today, as I drove back over the bridge. The Eastern view of the city is my favorite by far.
It gives a way better sense of depth to the downtown & shows off the multitude of mid-rise buildings in the core, that otherwise get hidden behind the waterfront towers.

[psychotron]

Originally Posted by mello

Just saw a photo of skyline in the business section of UT for the weekly Sunday "Econometer" feature. It looks like its taken from a drown or helicopter from above Nasco just over the bay looking down on Tenth Ave Marine terminal. The photo is probably taken from 200 to 300 feet above the bay and it makes SD look very dense and impressive.

[spoonman]

That picture looks to be a number of years old. Lots of towers missing.

[Nv_2897]

I've got to say that the skyline has changed quite a bit since 2008 and there is still a lot that has to be built.
December 2008

April 2018


Image courtesy of Google maps

[Boatguy619]

from South Bay last week, the plateau is almost complete from every angle.

2018-10-09_03-42-51 by kevinbeatty, on Flickr

[embora]

I noticed there is a fence around the McDonald's on Park Boulevard, between A and B Streets. Does anyone know what might be happening?

[Will O' Wisp]

Originally Posted by embora

I noticed there is a fence around the McDonald's on Park Boulevard, between A and B Streets. Does anyone know what might be happening?

I wish I had more exciting news, but they're building a surface parking lot. But at least that's a temporary measure, soon enough a 22 story residential tower is planned to go on the site.

[HurricaneHugo]

Does anybody know what happened to the tall tower on G street and 17th? Right next to the 94 entrance?

That area needs some height!

[SDfan]

Originally Posted by Will O' Wisp

I wish I had more exciting news, but they're building a surface parking lot. But at least that's a temporary measure, soon enough a 22 story residential tower is planned to go on the site.

Wait, what? I thought it was a renovation of the McD's. Civic reviewed and approved last year from what I understood.

http://civicsd.com/wp-content/upload...D_09.29.17.pdf

[Will O' Wisp]

Originally Posted by SDfan

Wait, what? I thought it was a renovation of the McD's. Civic reviewed and approved last year from what I understood.

http://civicsd.com/wp-content/upload...D_09.29.17.pdf

Well I was going by this application so I don't know what the heck is going on

http://civicsd.com/wp-content/upload...ot-3.10.17.pdf

[SDfan]

Originally Posted by Will O' Wisp

Well I was going by this application so I don't know what the heck is going on

http://civicsd.com/wp-content/upload...ot-3.10.17.pdf

Ah. Yes. Pinnacle's tower is on the west side of the block. McDonald's reno is on the east side.

[embora]

Thank you SD Fan and Will O' Wisp.

[SDfan]

Just some photos I took last night in the EV.

[Will O' Wisp]

Originally Posted by SDfan

Ah. Yes. Pinnacle's tower is on the west side of the block. McDonald's reno is on the east side.

I'm surprised McD's is making the effort, it's just a matter of time until someone comes along and offers them a boatload of money for the parcel.

[SDfan]

Originally Posted by Will O' Wisp

I'm surprised McD's is making the effort, it's just a matter of time until someone comes along and offers them a boatload of money for the parcel.

I know, right? It seems counterintuitive. Then again, they'd be dumb to let go of the location. Downtown's community plan bans new drive thru restaurants. If they let go, they'd be zoned out of the neighborhood.

Jack In The Box on C and 11th was denied a rebuild permit years ago because of that design guideline. They overcame it by applying for a reno, which let them keep their drive thru.

Plus that MD location is corp owned, so they're less likely to fall for a land deal, whereas a franchise owner would probably think quick, high profit over long term investment.

[Streamliner]

Ron Roberts really likes his gondolas:

Airport skyway could provide connection to downtown San Diego, study says
Link to Article
October 12, 2018
San Diego Union-Tribune

An unconventional mode of urban transit is being floated in front of city leaders and regional agencies as a solution to connect airport travelers to San Diego’s downtown area.

More recognizable as a ski lift or gondola, an aerial cableway system is the best answer to the airport’s in-and-out transportation woes, according to County Supervisor Ron Roberts. His office commissioned a report to study the feasibility of using a so-called “skyway” to get people from the Convention Center to San Diego International Airport, and vice versa, with a handful of stops at various points along Harbor Drive.

The report cost $75,000 and was prepared by consulting firm WSP Global with help from the San Diego Association of Governments. It was recently shared with the mayor’s office, the Port of San Diego, the San Diego Regional Airport Authority and other agencies in an effort to prompt interest — and action.

It comes as the airport wraps up an environmental review for a proposed $3 billion redevelopment, which critics say will increase traffic congestion on Harbor Drive.

“What we wanted to do is put something on the table,” Roberts said. “We really wanted to force (the airport) to engage. If not this, then at least give us a solution.”

The downtown-to-airport skyway is not only feasible but the most practical option, he said, citing the report’s findings.

The report found that a skyway system that follows Harbor Drive from Fifth Avenue at the Convention Center to the airport would cost from $230 million to $300 million to build, and an additional $11 million to $12 million to operate annually. It could transport up to 2,400 passengers per hour, per direction in enclosed eight- to 12-passenger cabins. The skyway would also allow for direct connections to bus, train and trolley stations, as well as offer easy walking access to hotels, Seaport Village and other downtown attractions.

The roughly 25-minute route would start with a passenger station at Harbor and Fifth Avenue, then travel northwest along Harbor Drive with stops at First Avenue and near Kettner Boulevard. The system would then turn north at Kettner and continue toward Sante Fe Depot with a station at the intersection of Kettner and Broadway. Then, the skyway would head west along Broadway and stop again at Broadway at Harbor. Finally, it would travel along Harbor Drive to the airport, using several turning towers to navigate directional changes, and culminate with stops at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

[JerellO]

Wow a 25 min ride?? Hahaha it’s shorter to take an uber from downtown

[Will O' Wisp]

Originally Posted by Streamliner

Ron Roberts really likes his gondolas:

Airport skyway could provide connection to downtown San Diego, study says
Link to Article
October 12, 2018
San Diego Union-Tribune

I can't imagine how he'll ever manage to get this through, that routing is almost purpose built to piss off every possible type of NIMBY in downtown. You're doing to go up harbor dr (which is fine I suppose), then up Kettner directly alongside the arch NIMBYs of Park Row with a relativity tall and visually intrusive structure between them and the bay, clog up the trolley tracks with construction right as the come into the Santa Fe depot as you cross Broadway, turn north to pass right in front of the two brand new hotels at Lane Field and screw up their pricey views of the waterfront, continue along to put a nice big separation between the County Admin building park and the harbor when these days there are already demanding Harbor Dr be closed down because it's too intrusive, and as a kiss off potentially interfere with the Coast Guard's access to Lindbergh. Oh, and unless you want everyone walking a few hundred feet from Harbor Dr to the terminals you'll have to worm it through the airport's new $300 million dollar access roadways.

I honestly don't get it, going from Harbor to PCH then back to Harbor at Grape or Hawthorn would avoid so many of the potential community objections and save years of lawsuits.

[spoonman]

Cute idea for Balboa Park. A ridiculous idea for a major city’s public transit though.

[Derek]

Originally Posted by spoonman

Cute idea for Balboa Park. A ridiculous idea for a major city’s public transit though.

Is it though?