San Diego UrbDeZine

Urban Design + Development + Economics + Community

WCAG 2.0 (Level AA)

East Village Focus Plan

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Downtown San Diego’s East Village South Focus Plan – Draft

 

Bill Adams

Take Back the Streets, Ch. 1

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This post is the first of a multi-part (but irregular) series about the conflicting relationship between U.S. transportation policy and urban renewal efforts, and what some communities are doing to “take back the streets” from cars for people.  This post features a video by COAnews (published on YouTube), which gives a little history of the rectangular or square street grid patterns so common in U.S. cities, especially in the west.  Then it goes on to talk about a project in Portland, frequently a leader in urban planning, to make neighborhood intersections more community oriented.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVq0exoGySc[/youtube]

Airport Expansion

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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksyNRsLSm8Y&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

This video describes the New “green” terminal at San Diego’s Lindberg Field, which is one of the best visitor first impression airports in the world with its scenic proximity to the waterfront and downtown.  Its also likely been a catalyst for downtown redevelopment.  These benefits have often been overlooked, or underestimated, in the push to relocate the airport to accommodate growth and capacity.  Its great to see further expansion at the current location (although it doesn’t look like the views from the terminal to the harbor will be retained with the new two level arrival/departure ramps).

Downtown YMCA to be Demo’d?

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Armed Services YMCA - San DiegoSan Diego’s downtown Armed Services YMCA Building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.   According to a 2007 City Historical Resources Board report, “the designation (on the National Register) of the San Diego Armed Services YMCA was based on its significant community history and its architectural significance as an excellent example of Italian Renaissance style architecture, designed by Master Architect Lincoln Rogers.”  Nevertheless, the operator of the building’s hotel, 500 West Broadway, LP, is pursuing the right to demolish it for a ‘higher and better use.’   They have an option to purchase the building but are in bankruptcy.   They are arguing to the Court that the only way they can be profitable is to buy the building and demolish it.   In order to do this, the Court must release them from their commitment to the City’s Redevelopment Agency, which was made in connection with affordable housing funds they received.

Of Bikes and Men

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Pedicab
A “Pedi-Cab” in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter

What is the right balance between freedom and safety (as in regulations) in an urban land use setting?  We travel to see cities with unique and exotic features such as rickshaws, street vendors, open air market places, sidewalk cafes, and so on.  We even think fondly of the cacophony of signage in places like Hong Kong and Times Square.  Yet the U.S., ‘freedom central,’ is relatively restrictive when it comes to municipal ordinances. Perhaps its not so much that we are ‘freedom central’ but that our democracy allows us rather, than a king, the freedom to issue restrictions.  That’s a lot of people creating a lot of restrictions.  As a result, U.S. cities often lean towards uniformity rather than diversity or uniqueness. [Read more…] about Of Bikes and Men

Luxury Affordable Housing Project

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Affordable Luxury Housing
This has got to be one of the nicest looking affordable housing projects I’ve seen in the region. How cool that it started as luxury housing, and when KB pulled out, they kept the bones of the project in converting it to affordable housing! According to the San Daily Transcript (8/27/09): “Once Ten Fifty B is completed in May 2010, the 19,994-square-foot skyscraper will be home to 229 families and individuals earning between 30 percent and 60 percent of the area median income. The building includes 68 studio, 57 one-bedroom, 32 two-bedroom and 73 three-bedroom apartments. Rents will depend on apartment size and income, ranging from as low as $433 for a studio apartment up to $1,437 for a four-bedroom apartment.

Rob Quigley’s Virtual Tour of the New Central Library

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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlsKhBVanyQ&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

Robert Wellington Quigley, FAIA, takes you on a virtual tour of the long planned New Central Library, which he designed with Tucker Sadler.  For up to date information on this project, and to make a contribution, visit: www.supportmylibrary.org On June 28, 2010, the City Council approved the project by a vote of 6-2.  Construction is scheduled to start by August 2010.

(If no video thumbnail, click on title)

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