Coalition backs ‘new vision’ for aging San Diego Civic Center, with housing, arts, more

A rendering of what a re-envisioned Civic Center Plaza could look like Photo courtesy of U Advisors East Village and the Gaslamp Quarter thrum with life San Diego s Civic Center not so much A broad coalition of partners paced by the Downtown San Diego Partnership and Prebys Foundation hopes to change that over the next several years On Tuesday at the inaugural WAVES Festival billed as an ideas and experiences festival they unveiled what they called a bold new vision for the Civic Center developed in collaboration with the urban planning firm U Advisors and more than local organizations The plan proponents say reimagines what they call the heart of Downtown San Diego fanning out from Civic Center Plaza a drab collection of buildings that includes San Diego City Hall and the San Diego Civic Theatre Supporters see a transformation into a vibrant welcoming cultural crossroads that would feature not only housing and civic elements but also spaces for arts and guidance Betsy Brennan president and CEO of the downtown partnership explained the current interest in what is manageable for the area represents momentum to turn the page on the aging center with the goal of creating an economic and cultural catalyst for the entire region The presentation of the Civic Center vision at the WAVES Festival in La Jolla Photo by Edgar Ontiveros Medina Prebys Foundation Over the past year the coalition gathered extensive neighborhood input including feedback from San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria the City Council and Gloria s Civic Center Revitalization Committee to develop a vision for the blocks north of C Street roughly bounded by First and Third avenues It focuses on four core priorities Custom and development Introducing new spaces performing arts venues and society hubs anchored by institutions like the San Diego Society College District More housing Creating a range of housing options more than units for teachers students and artists Iconic general spaces Designing a -acre Civic Plaza programmed year-round for concerts night markets and region events A true downtown neighborhood Attracting childcare centers grocery stores dog runs and retail and restaurants One main objective of the plan is to breathe life into the Civic Center at all hours supporters disclosed in a news release from the first day of the WAVES festival at the UCSD Scripps Seaside Forum WAVES stands for well-being art vision entrepreneurship and science This vision will reestablish Downtown as the vital heart of San Diego stated Grant Oliphant CEO of Prebys Foundation By reconnecting people to civic life through arts tradition tuition and housing we are creating a place where everyone feels they belong A stronger Downtown will mean a stronger more resilient San Diego for generations to come The group hopes to refresh the Civic Center later this year with redevelopment set to take place in phases for several years According to a downtown partnership web page on the plan the early meanwhile phase could include food venues outdoor seating and art installations Funding sources have not been identified though on the web page organizers say they hope to attract a mix of private advancement public-private partnerships philanthropic contributions and patronage from local state and federal sources The Prebys Foundation has taken measures to revitalize the downtown landscape Investments include sponsorship for the Depot Arts District via UC San Diego and the latest acquisition of the B St building The foundation also partnered with the downtown partnership on funding the planning stages of the Civic Center project The coalition of establishment nonprofit business labor and educational leaders and organizations behind the plan so far includes the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and San Diego Regional Economic Expansion Corp San Diego Symphony San Diego Tourism Authority and UC San Diego Another partner the San Diego Neighborhood College District stepped forward to establish new learning spaces and cultural offerings Our students represent the future of San Diego and we are excited to explore the prospect of anchoring part of that future at the Civic Center announced Chancellor Gregory Smith The update on the Civic Center vision offered at the WAVES Festival is intended to spark more conversation around its details and next strategies They include specifics on the phased implementation and the possibility of turning to a special purpose entity to help guide the work