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Quiet Zone Update
If you want the Quiet Zone, now is the time to speak up! Email KevinFaulconer@sandiego.gov or call (619) 236-6622.
CCDC staff continues to diligently work on securing the Quiet Zone. The 5-page letter of demands issued by BNSF has all been resolved sans the approval of the final signaling item.
In the project peer review, it was discovered there was $2M of work requested by NCTD (North County Transit District) that is not necessary to implement the quiet zone. NCTD that operates the heavy rail track from Broadway north is requesting CCDC purchase new state-of-the-art equipment at the Laurel intersection. This above and beyond the standard request is now also holding up the project.
Mayor Sanders and Councilmember Faulconer successful convinced NCTD officials to meet and discuss their obstacles. A meeting date has yet to be finalized.
And, it appears the City Council will again weigh in on the merits of the project.
In September 2008, the City Council and Redevelopment Agency voted to give CCDC the authority to advertise and receive bids for the construction of the San Diego Quiet Zone from Laurel to Fifth. (Park Blvd, formerly 8th, is being constructed as part of the Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge.)
$20.6 million has been set aside for the improvements. These funds will not come from the federal stimulus bill, but rather from monies budget by CCDC. I'm sure that I speak for the majority of Downtowners, it’s money well spent!
For information on the Quiet Zone Rule, go to FRA website. -Last update June 22, 2009
Exhausted? Irritable? Angry?
Have you been awaken in the early morning hours by the continuous blasting of a horn from a freight train engineer? Want to complain? For more information, click here.
Train Horns
You may have noticed that some trains passing through Downtown have a louder horn than others. This isn’t a figment of your imagination. For more information, click here.
Gate Bells
It has been confirmed! The electronic bells must sound the entire time the gates are down because of the freight train heavy rail corridor. For more information, click here.
Conversion of G Street to one-way
There is still no exact date on when G Street will be converted one-way eastbound from Pacific Hwy to Front. For more information, click here.
San Diego Civic Center Complex
The Committee on Rules, Open Government, and Intergovernmental Relations directed Mayor Sanders to develop an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) with Gerding Edlen on the San Diego Civic Center Complex and present it to the City Council for their review and approval at a July meeting.
The motion contained 12 conditions. The highlights are: the project must have no negative impacts on the General Funds, the new buildings must be environmentally state of the art, must end reliance on leased office space, increase public access to government, and improve public gathering spaces.
The entering into an ENA does not commit the City to develop; rather it gives a specific date that the parties would be required to reach an agreement to develop the complex.
The current economic climate has placed extra financial burdens on our city. However, the fact that the Civic Center Complex is laden with lead paint, asbestos, with no seismic retrofitting, and without a sprinkler system continues to make the redevelopment of the Complex a top priority.
Further, just as Horton Plaza and Petco Park kindled surrounding developments, the Civic Center Complex would quicken the revitalization of the C Street Corridor, provide jobs, thus generating more revenue to the city.
Will this be yet another study that is shelved only to be debated again in future years? Isn’t it time we take proactive steps to make our future better?
To read the views of Downtowners, go to Life in the City. -Last update June 22, 2009
Downtown's Library
If you’ve taken a walk past 11th and J recently, you probably noticed a large hole still covers the ground, surrounded by a tall chain length fence.
Set aside as the future home of San Diego’s Central Library numerous years ago, the City has continued to fall short of funding and not one hammer has been lifted on the project.
Four years ago the library was estimated to costs $185 million to construct, with money coming from three main sources: $80 million from Downtown redevelopment funds, $20 million from a state grant, and $85 million from private donations.
Now California’s Chief Librarian Susan Hildreth is demanding to see proof of the reportedly $33 million raised to date in private pledges.
This comes after City officials missed a December 31 deadline to move forward on the $20 million state grant, stating the City needed more time to complete a feasibility study and negotiation agreement for a new school-library idea.
In his ‘State of the City’ address, Mayor Jerry Sanders proposed a school-library concept on the land, with the idea of a 300-student school occupying two floors of the library.
This could help fill in additional funding, by using school bond money in the area of $15-$20 million.
Chief Librarian Hildreth favored this idea early on, but said she would need to consider such factors as additional construction costs. Hildreth has granted the City an extension until July 1, 2009 to complete the feasibility study and negotiate an agreement with the San Diego School District.
For additional information, view a letter from Chief Librarian Hildreth to Mayor Sanders. -Special guest writer Jenifer Bubenik.
Jenifer Bubenik has been a resident of Downtown since 2004, living in both the East Village and Marina districts. She has worked for US Senator Dianne Feinstein, Grassroots Campaigns, and the NC General Assembly. Jenifer is also a former Vice-Chair of the Centre City Advisory Committee.
C Street Corridor Master Plan
The Downtown Loop Peer Review on the C Street Corridor was performed.
MTS initially rejected the findings but is now on-board and are purchasing shorter trolley cars. This is a positive development.
C Street is a major pedestrian and transit corridor, yet the street and sidewalks have declined over the years and are in need of more than a facelift.
There is a strong desire to revitalize C Street by redeveloping the blighted buildings and underutilized properties, making the corridor more pedestrian friendly and safe through crime prevention, landscaping and lighting, and to develop an overall neighborhood comprehensive plan with a strong sense of place and identity.
Perhaps, the redevelopment of the Civic Center Complex site, which includes reopening B St to vehicular traffic, will be the catalyst needed to finally redevelop C Street. -Last update July 2008
San Diego International Airport
Despite the adoption of Destination Lindbergh by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, the board is proceeding with its plans to build 10 new jet gates at Terminal 2 West, to construct the dual-level roadway separating departing and arriving passengers, and make other improvements previously planned.
The Terminal Development Program will cost approximately $877 million and is expected to be completed in late 2012 or early 2013.
Destination Lindbergh–The Ultimate Build-out, outlines a three-phase plan at a cost estimate between $5 billion and $11 billion with a final completion in 2025.
Phase one, with a projected opening day in 2015, would included a parking structure for rental-car companies, an intermodal transit hub for trolley, bus, and Amtrak stops, and a passenger terminal with limited check-in and other services. A shuttle bus would take passengers to their departing gates located in the existing terminals.
The second phase expands the north-side passenger terminal, provides for an underground subway linking the boarding gates to the southern terminals, builds more access ramps off I-5 connecting to a public parking structure, rebuilds Terminal 1 and adds gates to Terminal 2. Anticipated completion: 2020.
The final phase shifts all the passenger services to the north side by building out the passenger terminal and additional multilevel parking structures. This phase further increases Terminal 2 by 22 gates. It’s anticipated all improvements will be completed in 2025.
The Airport Authority previously approved an environmental study and master plan to add ten additional gates to Terminal 2, a dual-level roadway for arriving and departing passengers, 5,000 spaces in a five-story parking garage, various improvements to circulation, and additional space for planes to park overnight.
For more information, click here: Ad Hoc Airport Regional Policy Committee. -Last update April 28, 2009
North Embarcadero Visionary Plan
North Embarcadero Visionary Plan Phase 1 construction documents are being finalized. However, due to the construction delay of Lane Field, the Port of San Diego doesn't have adequate funds for their share of construction costs. Staff from CCDC and the Port are continuing to work through the funding issue.
Look for the NEVP Experience and a JPA meeting during the month of September.
Staff was hoping to accelerate Phase I by splitting it into two projects. The first project is the roadway improvements on West Broadway between Pacific Hwy and Harbor Drive, which includes relocation of major utility components and the removal of the “hump”. Staff continues to work with SDG&E as their cooperation is needed in the relocation of utility lines under West Broadway. Construction is anticipated to begin early 2010, with completion in six or more months.
The second project includes improvements along the Esplanade from Navy Pier to B Street Pier along Harbor Drive, and improvements to add one additional left turn lane on Harbor to Grape (making a total of three left turn lanes). Construction will hopefully begin first quarter 2010 with an 18-month build out.
The total cost is now estimated to be $28.5 million, which is to be shared equally between the Port of San Diego and CCDC.
The JPA consists of the City of San Diego, Centre City Development Corporation, and the Unified Port of San Diego.
The North Embarcadero Visionary Plan will transform our western waterfront into a series of public spaces along a 100’ wide waterfront esplanade, and create a vibrant connection between the Bay and Downtown. -Last update June 22, 2009
Broadway Pier Cruise Ship Terminal
The construction of the Broadway Pier Cruise Ship Terminal will begin early July with a targeted completion in 2011.
Originally, a temporary structure was proposed for the Broadway Pier site and to be used only during the construction of the B Street Cruise Ship Terminal. Citing security concerns, the temporary structure quickly became a permanent 52,000 square foot structure and the cost escalated to $21.1 million. Carnival Corporation has loaned the Port $12 million to help with construction costs.
Due to the additional costs of construction, the B Street Cruise Ship Terminal won’t begin construction any time soon and will continue to be used as a secondary terminal.
The Port has given assurances to the public that Broadway Pier will remain public on non-cruise ship days.
Construction of the new cruise ship terminal is anticipated to begin this fall. -Last update April 28, 2009
Navy Broadway Complex
Superior Court Judge Ronald Prager handed down a tentative ruling in favor of the Navy and developer Doug Manchester, stating the lawsuit filed by the Navy Broadway Complex Coalition (NBCC) was unfounded. The NBCC still has a federal case going forward, and it could appeal the ruling by Judge Prager.
CCDC has approved the basic concept and schematic drawings for the Navy Administration Building and other structures on Parcels 2A, 2B, 3A. Prior to construction, the Navy Administration Building will be reviewed by CCDC on two more occasions; the other buildings, three.
The 17-story Navy Administration Building was designed using a boat-like image. Its gently curved stepped facade is more in keeping with the San Diego environs and the Navy’s connect with the water. It’s elegant and feminine, befitting of a lady. A public gathering space along Pacific Hwy will be designed to incorporate art relating the Navy’s history with San Diego.
The Navy and M
anchester executed a 99-year ground lease on the site on December 1, 2006. Basically, the terms of the lease are as follows: Manchester will build a $160 million office building for the Navy on the site. In exchange, Manchester will have the right to construct office, hotels and retail stores.
The development of nearly 15 acres located between Broadway, Harbor Drive, and Pacific Hwy on our western “Front Porch” is an exciting opportunity to create a truly picture perfect, iconic postcard of Downtown.
The site is strategically positioned between property to the north, scheduled for revitalization through the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan, and property to the south, through the Old Police Headquarters and Park Project.
In accordance with a 1992 Development Agreement between the Navy and the City of San Diego, CCDC will oversee the review process for the proposed development plan and the design review for all proposed buildings. -Last update April 28, 2009
Lane Field
The Port of San Diego has extended the Lane Field development permit until January 2012 giving the developers a reprieve from construction in these uncertain times. However, it comes at a cost. According to a spokesperson for the Port, “For an extension through January 7, 2011 the developer must pay an additional $100,000 in non refundable consideration. Thereafter, the developer must pay an additional $83,333 per month each month an extension is required, up to a total of $1,000,000 through January 7, 2012.”
Lane Field Developers will build an upscale hotel on the southern portion of the property, known as Lane Field South. InterContinental will operate the 525-room, 19-story (275’) hotel surrounded by 50,000 square feet of restaurants and retail.
A second upscale 275-room, 14-story (205’) hotel with 30,000 square feet of restaurants and retail will be built on Lane Field North.
Below both hotels is a two-story parking structure that will accommodate 1,330 parking spaces. Both B and C Streets will reconnect Pacific Hwy with Harbor Drive.
Lane Field consists of two parcels bounded by Broadway, Harbor Dr, B St, and Pacific Hwy.
In addition, the developers will build a 400-bed hostel somewhere in Downtown and to provide a low-cost shuttle service available for hotel guests, retail visitors, and the general public during the summer months once the hotel is operational.
Two or more shuttles will circulate along Harbor Drive between the airport and Convention Center Parking Garage from June 1 through August 31.
After three years of operation, the developer has the option of funding a study to assess the impact and effectiveness of the shuttle. If it is determined the shuttle did not alleviate peak traffic congestion, they may seek a coastal development amendment to terminate the shuttle program.
Construction is anticipated to begin this fall. -Last update June 22, 2009
Old Police Headquarters & Park Project
Terramar Retail Centers, the developer of the Old Police Headquarters, has completed a significant portion of the building’s interior demolition and haz mat abatement, at an expense of nearly $1M.
The developer continues to pursue a 40-year ground lease on the Old Police Headquarters. Due to the tough economic climate, the Port of San Diego has extended their option to lease until December 21, 2009 in order for the developer to line up tenants and secure financing.
Once the lease is finalized, Terramar will begin in earnest the rehabilitation of the Old Police Headquarters complex, originally built in 1939. The Old Police Headquarters building and courtyard would be restored and redeveloped to include a public market, themed shops, restaurants and a police museum.
A park/plaza totaling about one acre in size would be built directly in front of the Old Police Headquarters building on Harbor Drive and feature an urban garden with enhanced pedestrian features.
A new building with a fish processing center, retail space, and possibly a restaurant will replace the current Harbor Seafood Mart. A 3.3-acre waterfront park, named Ruocco Park, will surround the new building.
Downtowners welcome this progress. However, we continue to be concerned that the Sasaki/Quigley plan is being shelved. Despite what appears to be significant regulatory challenges, the Sasaki/Quigley plan must remain the ultimate objective.
For more background information, visit Old Police Headquarters and Park or Port of San Diego. - Last update June 22, 2009
New Waterfront Park - Ruocco Park
The Port of San Diego accepted funds to build an approximate 3.3-acre waterfront park next to the former Old Police Headquarters.
The Ruocco Fund will receive naming rights for 66-years for their donation of $2.5 million for park design and enhancements and $1 million for long-term maintenance.
On May 5, the selected landscape architect meet with the public to present the findings from the Downtown Parks, Open Spaces, and Recreation Needs Assessment and gathered feedback from the attendees.
The design concept and construction contract will be presented to the Port of San Diego Board sometime in 2009, with the park construction to begin around February 2011. -Last update June 2009
Leash-Free Dog Park
With about as many four-legged furry companions living Downtown as there are residents, many Downtowners are clamoring for a place for their dogs to run free and happily play with others.
When discovering this quality of life need was important, CCDC staff began evaluating potential short and long-term sites.
Three locations were presented at the June CCDC Committee meeting, all of which would better serve residents in the East Village neighborhood. Staff was requested to consider other possible site serving residents living in the western regions of Downtown and report back in July.
Dancing Waters
Dancing Waters was the delightful time-synchronized water feature in Gaslamp Square Park located at the corner of 5th & L St.
At a design charette, Downtown residents expressed their desire for the feature to be repaired and remain open to the public.
However, Dancing Waters has been permanently shut down. -Last update June 2009