condo convo glut

7000 unsold units = condo conversion glut. It's too bad, really, since a lot of these makeovers have spruced up a bunch of ugly buildings in San Diego's urban neighborhoods. The UT article speculates that many will go back to being rentals, which makes you wonder about how the properties will hold up over time. But those granite countertops should still look good!

eyesore du jour: renaissance in north park

Wow did they blow it on the new Renaissance condo project in North Park. Too hideous to be photographed, it looks like they plopped a generic office building down on the corner of 30th and El Cajon Blvd. The complex next to it (also part of Renaissance), which used to be the Aztec Bowl bowling alley (and retains the cool sign) is marginally better, but neither uses any of the bold paint colors or interesting design of La Boheme down the street, for example.

OK, I'll post a pic once Renaissance is complete - they haven't put the clock hands on the truly plain clock adorning its front yet.

adams ave. street fest

The Adams Avenue Street Fair is this weekend, and I got a chance to check it out yesterday as I was biking home. The picture above is Gilbert Castellanos, a local jazz trumpeter who I've wanted to see for a while. He was playing in a small park just off Adams, and it was very relaxing to lay on the grass as the sun set and listen to his quintet, who were very accomplished. I really enjoyed their music - interesting compositions and great musicianship.

Lots of other blues and rockabilly-type bands playing, which I'm not crazy about, but the white 40-somethings seem to dig it. It's great to see the diversity of the audience, given the mix of Normal Heights, where the festival is. But that diversity isn't reflected in the bands that play, for the most part. Still, it's a fun free festival with lots of good food - I gorged on a tasty thai/chinese plate before heading home.

harbor drive pedestrian bridge

this ccdc press release notes that construction of the harbor drive pedestrian bridge has been approved by the california public utilities commission. this was required since the bridge will cross train tracks. i really like the design, which shows how important it is to have quality architects designing public projects, as opposed to local hacks like those employed by doug manchester for the naval broadway complex.

since it's impossible to access the harbor directly (without backtracking) for oh, a mile or so around where this new bridge is going, it will be a nice addition. imagine going to a ball game and actually walking to the harbor in five minutes, as opposed to the 20 it takes now. looking forward to this one.

naval broadway complex

this union tribune article about the naval broadway complex on the harbor front downtown notes that none of the 14 architects reviewing the project felt it had a "high quality" design. what the article doesn't note is that the architects, much like the public, can say all they want about this disappointing project but it won't make much of a difference. doug manchester, the developer who walled off the gaslamp district from the harbor, will decide. nothing to see here folks, it's just the navy and some rich developer deciding how to maximize their profit from some prime harborfront property.

it was interesting to note that the story was buried well back in the metro section of the paper. the conservative union tribune has always been a big manchester backer.

while the project could be worse (at least you'll be able to access the harbor), the architecture is uninspired, and there's little prime parkland. once again, the city misses a big opportunity to do something for the people of san diego. the project will likely be approved as is in the next few weeks.