SAN DIEGO | Boom Rundown, Vol. 2

[JSW]

Originally Posted by Splosivo945

Just heard that they are putting a sales office in for it on the corner of 8th and Broadway in the Diega building - confirming the change to condos

Good followup! Although, now I'm disappointed that theyre using that prime corner space at Diega for a sales office. I saw some activity in that exact unit recently and was hoping we had restaurant or cafe coming since it has a nice large space for outdoor seating. Not a single retail unit has been leased yet, so this oddity will be the first.

[Splosivo945]

Theres a boba/bubble tea place going into one of the other corners per my understanding as well.

It's unclear to me how much of that broadway front will be the sales office, so might be that the Boba tea place goes where the planting is

[Streamliner]

Operators of Star of India proposing $28M maritime museum to be built over San Diego Bay
BY LORI WEISBERG
APRIL 11, 2023 4:56 PM PT
Article Link

San Diego’s collection of historic vessels on the waterfront — from the Star of India to the Berkeley — have welcomed visitors for decades, but there’s always been one key element missing — an actual museum.

That could change with a proposal by the Maritime Museum of San Diego for a new 14,000-square-foot facility that would include galleries, a theater, public terraces and a signature cafe, all built over the water on an extended pier off the Embarcadero.

In addition to erecting a new two-story museum space, the $28 million project would require moving the Maritime Museum’s nine historic vessels about 150 feet further out into the bay. Not only would such a relocation create room for the museum, but it would also better protect the ships from periodic extreme weather events that can lead to especially turbulent water.

Port of San Diego commissioners got a preview of the redevelopment plans on Tuesday and in the interest of advancing the waterfront project, agreed to initiate an environmental review. The port’s action, though, doesn’t constitute formal approval of the project, which would require future votes, including a decision on a new long-term lease to replace the current 40-year rental agreement.

[negentropic behavior]

Building design aside (I have my opinions), I'd rather see the bay instead of letting a building block the view of the water. Anyone else feel this way?

[Splosivo945]

Originally Posted by negentropic behavior

Building design aside (I have my opinions), I'd rather see the bay instead of letting a building block the view of the water. Anyone else feel this way?

I think the biggest gain could be had by removing some of the surface parking around there. The amount of asphalt you have to cross if you're coming from the city between the PCH, Harbor Drive and the surface parking just to get to the water is ridiculous.

[homebucket]

Originally Posted by Splosivo945

I think the biggest gain could be had by removing some of the surface parking around there. The amount of asphalt you have to cross if you're coming from the city between the PCH, Harbor Drive and the surface parking just to get to the water is ridiculous.

I'd also like to see some more crosswalks and a stop sign or two added along this strip. The distance from the crosswalk on W Ash St to the one on W Grape St is nearly a quarter mile long. So you're trying to get across from Waterfront Park you have to walk all the way to either end to cross, or attempt to jay walk across 5 lanes of speeding cars.

[DTSDguy]

https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/defau...s-log-2022.pdf

Does anyone have the link for the development map? I was able to find this list, but not the map online...thanks!

[JSW]

Originally Posted by Splosivo945

I think the biggest gain could be had by removing some of the surface parking around there. The amount of asphalt you have to cross if you're coming from the city between the PCH, Harbor Drive and the surface parking just to get to the water is ridiculous.

PREACH. This is true for a lot of San Diego's waterfront actually. Always far too much parking, crossing some kind of multi layered highway or track with too few pedestrian crossings. One notable upcoming improvement, however, is the Park blvd train track crossing near the convention center. We need a lot more.

As a local who lives downtown it's especially noticeable, and as we keep packing in more highrise density it's becoming obvious that it's far beyond time to plan the city around local residents and workers.. not just tourists or weekenders who want to drive up to everytrhing they do.

[JSW]

Originally Posted by DTSDguy

https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/defau...s-log-2022.pdf

Does anyone have the link for the development map? I was able to find this list, but not the map online...thanks!

https://webmaps.sandiego.gov/portal/...34d7559e5a4d98

[Will O' Wisp]

Originally Posted by negentropic behavior

Building design aside (I have my opinions), I'd rather see the bay instead of letting a building block the view of the water. Anyone else feel this way?

Unfortunately for you, that is literally the entire point of this project.

Very specifically, they want to stop you from taking selfies next to the Star of India without paying.

You can read all about it in the included report (pdf)






I honestly expect the Coastal Commission is going to make pretty short shrift of this one. People forget the fairly intense battles over the Midway back in the early 2000s and the debate over if it was "blocking off the bay", which were ultimately resolved by the Midway agreeing to allow visitors to access the the flight deck for free* and to eventually convert the Navy pier into a park.

And that was for project that would legitimately draw in a large amount of brand new visitors to the area, and sat across from (at the time) a Navy parking lot. The Maritime Museum is talking about deliberately cutting off the viewshed of the largest park in Downtown in order to "recapitalize" people walking along the waterfront, and trying to get it past a Coastal Commission that has gotten even more proactive about public access since the Midway's time.


*Yes, this is actually true. If you go up to the ticketing office and ask, they have to let you up there. But the Midway wants you to pay, so the only info on this is a couple of out of the way signs.

[JerellO]

Originally Posted by negentropic behavior

Building design aside (I have my opinions), I'd rather see the bay instead of letting a building block the view of the water. Anyone else feel this way?

In the article it mentions this
“The idea is to have a two-story building that you can see through it from the Embarcadero out to the water and to the museum and not to create an obstacle visually.”

I’m all for it, I think this would be a great addition to the waterfront row of attractions

[negentropic behavior]

Thank you for all that info, Will O Wisp, JerrelO and Splosivo945 -- I've lived in downtown since 2007 and never knew of the Midway Museum offering free public access to the deck.

I too, would like to see less asphalt along the waterfront. While I see the purpose for the Maritime Museum's attempt to capitalize on lost revenue, I think their arguments are weak. I disagree that people are purposely listening in on tour info, and while people do take pictures and selfies-- its going to happen whether there is structure in front of boats or not.

I predict a lot more people are going to be taking their selfies from the Brigantine's balconies next door.

Regardless, the museum's upgrades will surely be a benefit to the community overall.

[TimeToBuild]

Originally Posted by DTSDguy

https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/defau...s-log-2022.pdf

Does anyone have the link for the development map? I was able to find this list, but not the map online...thanks!

https://webmaps.sandiego.gov/portal/...75cfe94d29c5a7

This map includes proposed, under review, approved, and under construction projects. The story map JSW posted while not as comprehensive is more up to date.

[DTSDguy]

Originally Posted by TimeToBuild

https://webmaps.sandiego.gov/portal/...75cfe94d29c5a7

This map includes proposed, under review, approved, and under construction projects. The story map JSW posted while not as comprehensive is more up to date.

Thank you both for the maps, bookmarked them both.

[Splosivo945]

Does anything like the downtown map exist for other areas? I feel like I hear a lot about people apply for construction projects in Mission Hills/Hill Crest/North Park etc but it would be cool to see it all on a map

[Hillcrest_Observer]

Originally Posted by Splosivo945

Does anything like the downtown map exist for other areas? I feel like I hear a lot about people apply for construction projects in Mission Hills/Hill Crest/North Park etc but it would be cool to see it all on a map

The Hillcrest Business Association updates a map of current development projects in Hillcrest: https://static1.squarespace.com/stat...ent+map-14.pdf


Note: They list a possible development where Gossip Grill is, which would be a huge loss for the community

[HurricaneHugo]

San Diego looking into closing down 5th Ave to car traffic permently.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/86y5aw3HXIQ

[Charmy2]

Hey San Diego. I heard something somewhere that the Ritz-Carlton that was gonna be built at 7th and Market got canceled and I wanted to know if its true or not. It would be a shame if it is canceled.

[mello]

Yes that specific Ritz project must have never been able to secure financing so the city has moved on and will now take other proposals. Hopefully we still get a nice mixed use 500 foot tower with a grocery store on the bottom.

Random question: Walked around DT Chula Vista last night (Friday), it was fairly vibrant. There is a massive empty lot on the South end of the 3rd Ave strip with a KFC on it. This could easily fit 230 to 320 units. Then on the North end at E St another lot that could fit probably 80 or so. Is anyone familiar with plans for this area. If there were more residents living right in the DT on 3rd the potential for a legit commercial area is there.

[ucsbgaucho]

Originally Posted by mello

Yes that specific Ritz project must have never been able to secure financing so the city has moved on and will now take other proposals. Hopefully we still get a nice mixed use 500 foot tower with a grocery store on the bottom.

Random question: Walked around DT Chula Vista last night (Friday), it was fairly vibrant. There is a massive empty lot on the South end of the 3rd Ave strip with a KFC on it. This could easily fit 230 to 320 units. Then on the North end at E St another lot that could fit probably 80 or so. Is anyone familiar with plans for this area. If there were more residents living right in the DT on 3rd the potential for a legit commercial area is there.

From the SD U-T on the 25th,
"Seven years after the city agreed to redevelop a downtown parking lot with a Ritz Carlton hotel, the San Diego City Council on Tuesday decided to start over, this time putting the focus on housing for low-income households.

In keeping with a state law designed to encourage the development of affordable housing, the council formally declared city-owned property at 7th Avenue and Market Street as surplus land, a required step before it can start soliciting proposals for the East Village site.

A notice inviting housing developers and other interested parties to submit ideas for transforming the high-profile block will likely be issued the first week of May, said San Diego Economic Development Director Christina Bibler."

Probably not getting a 500-foot tower focused on low income housing.