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Downtown San Diego Residents Attend Public Meeting, Tour of Convention Center

Wednesday, 21 July 2010
Contact: Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216, Shahriar Afshar (619) 686-6288

More than 30 members of the public, mostly downtown residents, attended the second public outreach meeting on the proposed San Diego Convention Center Phase 3 expansion project.

The meeting was held July 17, 2010, from 10 a.m. to noon, with a 45-minute tour prior to the public forum.

During the session at the San Diego Convention Center, attendees heard an overview of the roles and responsibilities of the City of San Diego, the Convention Center and the Port. They also were provided information about the Convention Center's lease with the Port and the design team selection process for the expansion.

Members of the audience voiced concerns on public access, traffic, and parking. An audience member suggested that a pedestrian bridge to the Gaslamp District at Fifth Avenue would provide a safe passage for convention attendees heading to the downtown entertainment district and for pedestrians travelling to San Diego Bay.

Some attendees also said there needed to be a plan for activities and community events, which would draw the public to the waterfront, the public promenade, and Embarcadero Marina Park South.

Other public comments included making the San Diego Symphony a permanent facility in the South Embarcadero; integrating public art into the expansion; and introducing new restaurants and retail shops to activate the waterfront.

The panel welcomed the comments and invited the public to stay engaged as the Convention Center's design team selection process continues.

The Port of San Diego has a separate environmental review process on the project that is due to begin later this year. Public comment will be welcomed on that phase of the project.