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CCDC News: Downtown Community Plan to Receive APA Award

DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY PLAN TO RECEIVE APA AWARD

American Planning Association (APA) San Diego Chapter Honors Downtown Plan

San Diego, CA—The 2006 San Diego Downtown Community Plan will receive the APA San Diego Chapter’s Comprehensive Plan Award at a ceremony on June 7. Developed through a public process led by the Centre City Development Corporation (CCDC) and consultant Dyett and Bhatia, the Downtown Community Plan (The Plan), was adopted in 2006 to guide downtown’s future redevelopment. The Plan addresses the full spectrum of urban development topics including affordable housing, transportation, historic preservation, arts and culture, health and human services, and public safety, amenities and infrastructure.

“CCDC is truly honored to be recognized for its efforts with planning downtown’s future,” said CCDC President Nancy Graham. “This Plan not only sets the stage for downtown’s growth and redevelopment, but provides guidance for all the important public amenities, infrastructure and housing options vital to the success and livability of our urban neighborhoods.”

If built to capacity, in 2030 downtown could be home to 90,000 residents and 165,000 employees.  As the regional center, the area is expected to accom­modate a sizable portion of the growth. The Plan is a model for major downtown de­velopment, and for creative approaches to fos­ter walkability and livability. Almost four years in the making, led by a Steering Committee of 34 dedicated business and community leaders, The Plan responds to direction from policy makers to im­plement a smart growth strategy.

Based on a series of  neighborhood  centers, each containing a park and amenities for urban living, the Plan envisions downtown as a tapestry of distinctive and livable neighborhoods, sized for walk­ability. Parks, plazas, and open spaces are emphasized to enhance the public realm and promote livability, capitalizing on San Diego’s mild Mediterranean climate. Streets are envisioned as an extension of the public realm.

To date, downtown redevelopment efforts have produced over 14,800 housing units (2,650 affordable), 6.9 million square feet of retail space, 6,800 hotel rooms, more than 60,000 jobs and $438 million in public infrastructure. Since 1975, the $963.8 million public investment in downtown has been matched by $9.57 billion in private investment, a nearly 10:1 ratio. Downtown redevelopment activity continues with the guidance of the Plan and a strong focus on public amenities, housing and connectivity. 

The Plan will now move on to compete for a California Chapter APA (CCAPA) Award along with other chapter award winners from across the state. To access the Plan, visit www.ccdc.com.

About CCDC
Centre City Development Corporation (CCDC) is a public, nonprofit corporation established in 1975 by the City of San Diego to plan and facilitate the redevelopment of downtown’s 1,500 acres. To learn more, visit: www.ccdc.com

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