Two bids remain for new City Hall; local developer out
By Jeanette Steele
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
December 21, 2007
DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO – The list of developers vying to build San Diego's new City Hall complex is down to two: a corporate giant from Texas and a “green” developer from Oregon.
The lone San Diego contender, Lankford & Associates, didn't make the cut yesterday from four firms to two.
The remaining developers are Hines Corp. of Houston, which was the construction manager of Petco Park; and Gerding Edlen of Portland, Ore., which has experience in urban reuse in Portland and Los Angeles.
Officials at the city's downtown redevelopment agency said the finalists have different strengths.
“Hines, they are just a huge international firm. There was no doubt they have the capability to do a complex project like this,” said Jeff Graham, assistant vice president at the Centre City Development Corp.
A screening panel chose Gerding Edlen for its cutting-edge ideas, Graham said. “They were doing sustainable design before anybody had even heard of sustainable design,” he said.
A Hines official declined to comment yesterday. Gerding Edlen executive Tom Cody said his firm can deliver a “new and stronger civic heart” for San Diego.
“We have a strong history of collaborating with cities and community stakeholders to create vibrant and inspiring public places,” Cody said.
The two developers will attend public meetings in February and March to hear residents' comments. The City Council is expected to make a decision by late next year.
Mayor Jerry Sanders wants to overhaul the 1960s-era Civic Center complex through a public-private partnership, which would lower the city's expense, and avoid costly leases for office space. San Diego is spending $13.5 million annually on leases to house 1,900 city employees because city-owned downtown offices have no more room.
City officials have said the project would not go forward if it doesn't save taxpayers money.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jeanette Steele: (619) 293-1030;
jen.steele@uniontrib.com