Board of Directors Reaffirm Support of a New Civic Center Complex

NEWS FROM:

The Downtown San Diego Partnership

Date:

July 22, 2008

CONTACT:

Todd Voorhees (619) 234-0201 or (619) 985-8354 (cell)

DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO PARTNERSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS REAFFIRM SUPPORT OF A NEW CIVIC CENTER COMPLEX

Business and Civic Advocacy Organization Support Moving Forward on New Civic Center Complex

DOWNTOWN – At their July meeting, the Board of Directors of the Downtown San Diego Partnership voiced its support for the development of a new downtown civic center complex.   In adopting guiding principles related to a new civic center, the Board of Directors reaffirmed their long-standing position that any future development must provide convenient citizen access to public government, protect taxpayers, promote civic identity and pride, and serve as a catalyst in the redevelopment of the C Street corridor.    

 “The teams of Hines and Gerding Edlen have devoted a tremendous amount of time and money in developing their proposals,” stated Barbara Warden, President of the Downtown San Diego Partnership.  “I am confident both proposals will create an iconic civic center experience that is consistent with our guiding principles, creates favorable working conditions for city staff and, in the long run, saves taxpayers money.” 

Please refer to the below document to view the Downtown San Diego Partnership’s Civic Center guiding principles. 

The Downtown San Diego Partnership was formed in 1993 with the merger of two prominent business associations:  San Diegans Inc. (formed in 1958), and the Centre City Association (formed in 1952.)  Today, the Partnership has more than 325 members and serves as the leading advocate for Downtown economic development, residential living, entertainment, and the arts.  The Partnership is a registered 501(c)3 organization.

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Downtown Partnership Civic Center Guiding Principles

I.          Serve the Public

• Provide convenient citizen access to city government.
• Incorporate vital, sunny and generous public space.
• Reinforce transit and trolley connectivity.
• Respect and reinforce the pedestrian grid and streetscape.

II.         Protect the Taxpayers

• Maximize the city’s real estate assets.
• Develop a Civic Center redevelopment strategy that is fiscally prudent.
• Create a financial strategy that will produce a net benefit to taxpayers.
• Avoid spending more city funds to maintain/rehab City Hall or the Concourse.
• Promote private sector participation to leverage public investment.
• Phase Civic Center redevelopment to meet city needs.

III.        Support Public Employees

• Provide a safe, secure and healthy environment for public employees.
• Increase worker productivity by centralizing more of the city’s work space.
• Satisfy city space requirements to meet needs to 2050 and beyond.

IV.       Ensure Consistency with Centre City Community Plan

• Make plan consistent with goals of the community plan update.
• Coordinate with adjacent government and private entities.
• Serve as a catalyst in the redevelopment of the C Street corridor.
• Re-open B Street to pedestrians and explore transit connections.

V.        Further the City’s Redevelopment Goals

• Serve as a catalyst for private sector investment in the Core.
• Boost tax increment to the city by stimulating private development.
• Exemplify smart growth with a dynamic mix of uses.

VI.       Promote Civic Identity and Pride

• Make the Civic Center a model of energy efficiency and sustainability; adhere to LEED Silver rating.
• Design a Civic Center of which all San Diegans can be proud; reflect San Diego locale and climate; use high quality design/construction materials.
• Integrate and celebrate the San Diego Civic Theatre.

VII.      Timeline

• Development team proposals due by July 18.
• CCDC release proposals to the public by August 8.
• Public review and comment phase through the month of August.
• DSDP attendance and participation in public outreach meetings with interested stakeholders. 
• Development teams present proposals to CCDC Board in September.
• Selection of development partner by mayor and City Council/Redevelopment Agency in October.