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Downtown San Diego Mobility Plan – Vision for the Future or A Well Intentioned Waste of Money?

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Downtown San Diego Mobility Plan, January 2016 cover
Downtown San Diego Mobility Plan, January 2016 cover (altered)

In Southern California we suffer greatly from suburbia myopia. This affliction prevents us from understanding what makes urban environments succeed. We all too often attempt to recreate what we value in our suburban neighborhoods without the understanding of what it takes establish and sustain these ideas, designs and initiatives in a dynamic urban setting. We have idealized visions of tranquil urban neighborhoods where we live, work and pursue artistic/academic endeavors that will transform the cultural wasteland post-industrialized American cities. [Read more…] about Downtown San Diego Mobility Plan – Vision for the Future or A Well Intentioned Waste of Money?

California lawmakers seek local oversight of downtown planning

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construction worker and he family at downtown construction site“Downtown is for people” wrote legendary urban planner Jane Jacobs in 1958, in response to building-centric redevelopment that was a byproduct of politics and economics seeking to rebuild cities across America. During her lifetime, she advocated for citizens to decide what end results they wanted, pioneering concepts like “social capital,” and advocating for planners to steer the rebuilding machinery to serve the community.

Yet, even today, downtown San Diego is being built as a collection of projects, with an approval process that consistently favors developers. [Read more…] about California lawmakers seek local oversight of downtown planning

Downtown San Diego by Bike – changes coming

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Sharrow in downtown San DiegoWith vibrant neighborhoods, gentle terrain, the Big Bay and year round sunshine, Downtown San Diego figures to be on every list of America’s great cycling communities. We have everything… except the bicyclists.  Why?  It’s not very safe.  The street grid favors cars.  That’s about to change. [Read more…] about Downtown San Diego by Bike – changes coming

In Defense of Uncertainty

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Nobody likes uncertainty. Certainly not the developers of a billion dollar mixed-use project that encounters community opposition due to traffic impacts. Nor the public transportation agency that runs into fairy shrimp on the future route of a trolley line. Nor the city planners for multifamily housing around a transit station that face a revolt from their single-family neighbors. [Read more…] about In Defense of Uncertainty

Parking lot no more at Fifth & J in the Gaslamp Quarter?

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5th & J Gaslamp Quarter San Diego - former site of Gran Havana Cafe and Cigars and two historic buildingsAn invitation was emailed last week for a ground breaking ceremony to be held on Wednesday Oct. 8, at 10:00 AM for a new Pendry Hotel to replace the parking lot of 5th & J.  The invitation was ground breaking in more than one way.  This parking lot was the site of one of the most egregious abuses of eminent domain under the California Community Redevelopment Act, and became one of the poster-children of the property rights – anti-eminent domain movement.  Many believe it also played a role in Governor Brown’s repeal of the redevelopment law.   [Read more…] about Parking lot no more at Fifth & J in the Gaslamp Quarter?

Revised 11th & Broadway Pinnacle Project in Design Review – San Diego

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View from 11th & E St - Pinnacle

A revised Pinnacle project for 11th & Broadway is in design review at Civic San Diego.  The main difference seems to be that the developer now proposes to relocate (by 50′) the historically designated Hamilton Apartments rather than demolish them as had been previously approved by the Centre City Development Corporation (CCDC) in 2012.  An act of enlightenment and altruism, or an act pragmatism (i.e. to avoid litigation or utilize tax credits)?  The Civic San Diego staff report doesn’t say.  In any case, preserving historical resources and adaptively reusing existing structures can only be a good thing for downtown’s diversities of architecture, people, and uses.  The staff report to the Civic San Diego Real Estate Committee summarizes the project:  [Read more…] about Revised 11th & Broadway Pinnacle Project in Design Review – San Diego

Fairfield Inn to provide “real infill” in Downtown San Diego

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Fairfield Inn from 6th & FThe smallish gap (75′ wide) between the Andaz Hotel and the Jewelers’ Exchange Building, now being used as a parking lot, may be developed with a Fairfield Inn hotel tower.  More precisely, the site is midblock on the east side of 6th Avenue between E & F Streets.  The proposal is now in the early design phase. [Read more…] about Fairfield Inn to provide “real infill” in Downtown San Diego

Land Use Planning Committee looking for Home after getting Axed by Gaslamp Board

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Gaslamp Quarter south entranceThe Gaslamp Quarter Association (GQA) board of directors has decided to rid itself of its Land Use Planning Committee (LUP).  Reportedly, the decision was motivated by a desire to focus GQA resources on marketing and other business promotion functions.  The effective date of this decision remains unclear.

[Read more…] about Land Use Planning Committee looking for Home after getting Axed by Gaslamp Board

Why Downtown San Diego Pedestrians Stop for Cars More Than Any Other City and What to do About it.

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San Diego’s downtown street grid and its small blocks make continuous walking difficult, especially for people trying to go in a straight line. Jogging is even more difficult. The blocks are 200 by 300 feet. Among major cities, only Portland has smaller blocks at 200 by 200 feet. [Read more…] about Why Downtown San Diego Pedestrians Stop for Cars More Than Any Other City and What to do About it.