City Events
City Life
Life in the City
City Book
Neighborhoods
About Us
Contact Us
City News - Hot Topics
Quiet Zone Update
At long last, the Quiet Zone construction documents are nearing 100% completion. Once CCDC receives the project cost estimates from BNSF, a peer review will be performed to confirm the estimates are reasonable.
The project will be discussed at the CCDC Committee on July 11 and CCAC on July 23. Even more exciting, the project is scheduled to go before the Redevelopment Agency and City Council for the issuance of a Request to Bid on September 2.
CCDC is hopeful that all plans and necessary approvals will be obtained before the end of this year, so construction can commence in January 2009. The construction timeframe is 12 months.
The Quiet Zone Task Force will continue to meet monthly to review current progress and challenges facing the implementation of the quiet zone.
For information on the Quiet Zone Rule, go to FRA website.
Train Horns, Gate Bells, and G St Conversion
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.
Locomotives built on or before September 18, 2006 may be equipped with horns that exceed the Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration Final Rule as sets forth in Part 229.5.
Under the Rule, all locomotives must be equipped with a horn (or audible warning devise) that produces a sound between 96 and 110 dB(A) “as measured 100 feet forward of the locomotive in the direction of travel”. Some of the older locomotives have horns in excess of this requirement, and must be replaced before June 24, 2010.
Gate Bells
BNSF discovered the mechanical bells at the Kettner and G St intersection were rendered ineffective due to a citizen trying to muffle the sound.
Therefore, BNSF has replaced the mechanical bells with electronic bells.
You may have noticed they are now louder than before; however BNSF claims they meet industry standards for volume.
As a part of the required FRA monthly inspections, BNSF will make certain that the electronic bells are in compliance with the Federal and State rules for volume and location.
However, I’ve been informed the purpose of the bells is to warn pedestrians the intersection is closing; and once the gates are fully down, the bells should no longer ring. I’m unable to confirm this juicy piece of information at this time, but rest assured I will!
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, but what is known is the conversion will not take place until the traffic signal modifications are complete.
The contractor performing the Quiet Zone scope of work will schedule the traffic signal modifications in the most expedient manner to complete the entire project on time and on budget.
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? Click here to find out how.
Civic Center Complex
On July 18, the chosen design teams of Gerding Edlen and Hines will submit to CCDC the items as set forth in the Request for Developer Proposals for the Civic Center Complex.
After CCDC staff reviews the submittals that include a conceptual site plan, massing, model, mix of land uses, development program, and financial performa, the information will be presented to the public for the vetting process. Look for meetings to be scheduled during the months of July and August.
Our city deserves better. Policies that affect our daily lives, and our very future, are being handed down by decision makers who work in frumpy and dowdy buildings constructed in the mid-1960s; buildings that are filled with hazardous materials and do not meet current life safety codes.
Over the last fifteen years, modern buildings, some extremely striking, have been sprouting up all over Downtown. Yet, in the center of it all meekly hides our Civic Center Complex.
Though a compelling enough reason to rebuild the center of our government, this isn’t the real reason.
Deferred maintenance on the City Administration Building carries a hefty price tag of well over $10 million.
But that’s only part of the story. The city is leasing more than 500,000 square feet of privately owned office space, accommodating 2,400 employees, at an annual cost over $13.5 million. And, the cost will rise dramatically when leases expire in 2013 and 2014.
The City has asked CCDC for assistance in soliciting a qualified developer and to negotiate a public-private partnership to possibly redevelop the Civic site.
C Street Corridor Master Plan
The Downtown Loop Peer Review on the C Street Corridor was performed.
MTS initially rejected the findings but now appears to be investigating 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. However, lofty dreams of revitalization will not occur if MTS continues on with their plans.
Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge
The Redevelopment Agency and City Council approved all actions necessary to fund, construct, and maintain the Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge.
The construction contract will be executed on June 30 and the Notice to Proceed issued. It is expected that the contractor, Reyes Construction, will begin work on the bridge center section – between the railroad tracks and Harbor Drive by the end of July.
There is a possibility for a state transportation grant of $8.4 million. Staff is exploring this option.
The Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge will allow the re-opening of the Park Blvd and Harbor Drive intersection.
During construction of the ballpark, 8th (now the newly configured Park Blvd) was temporarily closed. However, once construction was finished, the California Public Utilities Commission denied application to reopen citing conflicts between pedestrian, vehicular traffic, trolley and rail traffic.
The 550’ curved self-anchored suspension bridge will cost approximately $30 million and will be funded through various public (local, state, federal) and private sources. Construction is anticipated to be completed by October 31, 2009.
North Embarcadero Visionary Plan
After three public workshops, the Joint Powers Authority (JPA) approved the following design concepts:
• The removal of the high point on West Broadway between Pacific Hwy and Harbor Drive.
• The placement of a double row of Jacaranda trees on the Esplanade on both sides of West Broadway.
• The location of sidewalks, trees, 30’ promenade, architectural shade pavilions and miscellaneous buildings along the Esplanade.
• For Harbor Drive and the Esplanade to be elevated and sloped to accommodate drainage and public safety.
• The general location and programmatic concepts for buildings, sans the proposed public restroom or architectural design of any building.
• Double row of Mexican Fan Palms on the east side of Harbor Drive.
• Single row of Canary Island Date palms on the west side of Harbor Drive.
Phase I of the NEVP includes improvements along the Esplanade from Navy Pier to B Street Pier along Harbor Drive, roadway improvements on Broadway from Harbor Drive to Pacific Hwy, and improvements to add one additional left turn lane on Harbor to Grape (making a total of three left turn lanes). 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.
Construction is scheduled to begin late 2009.
Navy Broadway Complex
Manchester Financial Group is still facing legal challenges to their development of the Navy Broadway Complex site.
Even though the United States District Court declared that the California Coastal Commission (CCC) doesn’t have the right to require the developer to obtain a Coastal Development Permit under state law, the CCC will hold a meeting the first week of August to determine if substantial changes have been made to the surrounding site development after the 1992 Coastal Zone Management Act was adopted. If the CCC does make the determination substantial changes have been made, a subsequent EIR might be deemed necessary.
In September, the Federal Court should make a ruling on whether to release the entire lease agreement between the Navy and Manchester to the public under the Freedom of Information Act. And, in October, a hearing is scheduled for the state lawsuit filed under CEQA.
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 façade 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 Manchester 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.
Lane Field
Design of Lane Field is currently on hold due to a California Coastal Commission hearing and CEQA litigation. No date has been established for either action.
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 (400’) hotel surrounded by 37,000 square feet of restaurants and retail.
Further, they will build a second upscale 275-room, 14-story (350’) hotel with 25,000 square feet of restaurants and retail on Lane Field North.
Below both hotels is a two-story parking structure that will accommodate over 1,700 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.
Construction is anticipated to begin in Summer 2008, and completed in 2011.
Old Police Headquarters & Park Project
The developer Terramar has been granted an extension until the end of August to finalize the working drawings and to enter a 40-year ground lease.
The centerpiece of the project is the rehabilitation of the Old Police Headquarters complex, 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 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.
San Diego International Airport
An Ad Hoc Airport Regional Policy Committee was formed to explore the long range build-out for Lindberg. The committee consists of the City of San Diego, County of San Diego, Metropolitan Transit System, North County Transit District, SANDAG, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, Port, and U. S. Department of Defense. Their first meeting was held April 23, 2008.
The common themes of the committee and its participants are to develop a plan built on consensus; develop a vision for Lindberg’s foreseeable future; create a logical, integrated, and efficient long-range plan; to explore a wide range of possibilities in search of a solution; create an intermodal transportation center; and to integrate Lindberg into the fabric of the community.
The next meeting is June 26, 7:15a at the Airport Authority Board Room, San Diego International Airport Commuter Terminal, 3rd Floor. The committee will discuss the preliminary unique perspective interviews, receive a presentation by Caltrans on Interstate 5 access issues and from SANDAG on transit access issues, and have an initial discussion of existing traffic patterns around the airport.
The first of two interim reports will be issued mid-August, followed by a second in mid-November and the final vision and concept February 2009.
For more information, click here: Ad Hoc Airport Regional Policy Committee.
Meanwhile, the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority board approved the environmental study and master plan that will allow improvements to Lindberg Field.
These improvements include adding ten gates to Terminal 2, a dual-level roadway for arriving and departing passengers, 5,000 space in a five-story parking garage, various improvements to circulation, and additional space for planes to park overnight.