Centre City Development Corporation
Encyclopedia
The Centre City Development Corporation is a public, non-profit corporation created by the City of San Diego in 1975 to staff and implement Downtown redevelopment projects and programs.
s to facilitate redevelopment projects adopted pursuant to redevelopment law. Through an operating agreement, CCDC is the Agency's representative in the development of retail, residential, office, hotel, cultural and educational projects and public improvement projects. Each of CCDC's seven-member board of directors is appointed by the Mayor and City Council to three year terms .
beginning with Section 33000 et seq., was adopted in 1962 to provide cities and counties with the authority, scope and financial means to stimulate the mitigation of blighted conditions in urban areas. The law outlines procedures to determine what development, reconstruction and rehabilitation is needed and desirable. It also defines the financial tools, legal authority and citizen participation necessary to successfully implement adopted plans. The law is designed to promote an improved and safer neighborhood environment and a restoration of community pride.
assured that the 960 "barren, sunburnt desert" acres he purchased in 1867 for 27.5 cents/acre would flourish.
Early in the 20th century, developers and business people such as John D. Spreckels
, George Marston
and Efrem Morris continued to develop a strong sense of what this downtown would become. Major events also played a significant role in shaping the area, including two world wars, two international expositions and the opening of the Panama Canal
.
Beginning in the 1950s, however, Centre City began to experience a decline due to the growth then occurring in suburban areas. By the late 1960s, Centre City properties could not generate enough tax revenue to cover basic city services such as police and fire protection. It was evident that deterioration and decay had entered San Diego's urban heart.
outlined an aggressive program for revitalizing this physically and economically blighted downtown. His goals included drawing retail and commercial business and residents back to the area, and creating a strong job base and regional government hub. California's Community Redevelopment Law provided the major tools.
Wilson and the City Council created CCDC to focus on solutions. This public nonprofit corporation began with 325 acres (1.3 km²) in four redevelopment projects -- Horton Plaza, Marina
, Columbia
and the Gaslamp Quarter. On behalf of the City and the Redevelopment Agency, CCDC facilitated the public/private partnerships necessary to turn the area around. Responsibilities also included strategic planning, urban design, property acquisition and relocation programs, public improvements and public financing for downtown projects.
Major Downtown development projects have included the San Diego Convention Center
, the Horton Plaza shopping center, and the Petco Park
major league baseball field, as well as many new high-rise residential and business buildings. With an investment of $898.5 million in public monies, redevelopment leveraged $7.5 billion in private developments. As a result, annual sales tax, hotel room tax and property tax escalated nearly $116.3 million. Over 26,000 permanent jobs were created and 33,400 construction jobs.
More than just physical improvements are being confronted, however. The Social Issues Strategy, crafted by CCDC and the downtown community working together, acknowledges that success can only be achieved if the effects of homelessness and crime are addressed, as well.
Eventually, there may be room for more neighborhood parks and open space, infrastructure improvements and the long-sought landscaped connection between Balboa Park and San Diego Bay. Based on the Community Plan approved in March 2006, Centre City will add seven new parks and two new fire stations over the next ten years.
and the City Council called for increased oversight over the CCDC, after allegations of impropriety during the previous two years. A former chief executive of CCDC resigned in July 2008 amid allegations of conflict of interest involving a building project. Several past directors, board members, and staff have also resigned under fire, amid allegations of ethical violations.
About
The corporation serves on behalf of the San Diego Redevelopment Agency as the catalyst for public-private partnershipPublic-private partnership
Public–private partnership describes a government service or private business venture which is funded and operated through a partnership of government and one or more private sector companies...
s to facilitate redevelopment projects adopted pursuant to redevelopment law. Through an operating agreement, CCDC is the Agency's representative in the development of retail, residential, office, hotel, cultural and educational projects and public improvement projects. Each of CCDC's seven-member board of directors is appointed by the Mayor and City Council to three year terms .
Board of Directors
- Fred MaasFred MaasFred Maas is the Founder and CEO of Pacific EcoCompanies LLC, which specializes in investments in and development of sustainable buildings, communities and clean technologies. Also a San Diego resident, Maas works in the San Diego political, business and non-profit communities. Fred Maas graduated...
- Chair - Robert A. McNeely - Vice-Chair
- Kim John Kilkenny - Secretary
- Bill Shaw - Treasurer
- Laurie Black - Director
- Juan Manuel Oncina - Director
- Steven Relyea - Director
California Community Redevelopment Law
The California Community Redevelopment Law, contained in the California Health and Safety CodeCalifornia Health and Safety Code
California Law consists of 29 codes, covering various subject areas, the State Constitution and Statutes. The California Health and Safety Code is the code covering the subject areas of health and safety.-External links:...
beginning with Section 33000 et seq., was adopted in 1962 to provide cities and counties with the authority, scope and financial means to stimulate the mitigation of blighted conditions in urban areas. The law outlines procedures to determine what development, reconstruction and rehabilitation is needed and desirable. It also defines the financial tools, legal authority and citizen participation necessary to successfully implement adopted plans. The law is designed to promote an improved and safer neighborhood environment and a restoration of community pride.
CCDC history
With its decision to create CCDC in 1975, the City of San Diego acted on its commitment to reverse the area's then physical, social and economic decline, and to create jobs, increase business activity and tax revenues. Since then, over $7.5 billion has been invested in Downtown from redevelopments, including $898.5 million in public investment. Carefully targeted retail, residential and office developments and public improvements resulted. Today, more than 75,000 people work downtown and more than 30,000 live in the area. Thousands more come downtown daily to conduct business, shop, dine, attend cultural, educational and entertainment events, and to enjoy the waterfront. Those numbers are increasing with each passing year.Area history
Its prominence on the harbor and access to Pacific Rim countries long ago determined that downtown San Diego would become the urban heart of this region. Beginning with the building of a wharf at the foot of Fifth Avenue to accommodate trade and commerce, Alonzo HortonAlonzo Horton
Alonzo Erastus Horton was an American real estate developer in the nineteenth century. The Horton Plaza mall in downtown San Diego is named for him.-Early life:...
assured that the 960 "barren, sunburnt desert" acres he purchased in 1867 for 27.5 cents/acre would flourish.
Early in the 20th century, developers and business people such as John D. Spreckels
John D. Spreckels
John Diedrich Spreckels , the son of German-American industrialist Claus Spreckels, founded a transportation and real estate empire in San Diego, California in the late 19th and early 20th centuries...
, George Marston
George Marston
George White Marston was an American politician, department store owner, and philanthropist. Marston was involved with establishing Balboa Park, the San Diego Public Library System, and the Serra Museum...
and Efrem Morris continued to develop a strong sense of what this downtown would become. Major events also played a significant role in shaping the area, including two world wars, two international expositions and the opening of the Panama Canal
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1904 to 1914, the canal has seen annual traffic rise from about 1,000 ships early on to 14,702 vessels measuring a total of 309.6...
.
Beginning in the 1950s, however, Centre City began to experience a decline due to the growth then occurring in suburban areas. By the late 1960s, Centre City properties could not generate enough tax revenue to cover basic city services such as police and fire protection. It was evident that deterioration and decay had entered San Diego's urban heart.
Redevelopment
In 1972, then-mayor and later California Governor Pete WilsonPete Wilson
Peter Barton "Pete" Wilson is an American politician from California. Wilson, a Republican, served as the 36th Governor of California , the culmination of more than three decades in the public arena that included eight years as a United States Senator , eleven years as Mayor of San Diego and...
outlined an aggressive program for revitalizing this physically and economically blighted downtown. His goals included drawing retail and commercial business and residents back to the area, and creating a strong job base and regional government hub. California's Community Redevelopment Law provided the major tools.
Wilson and the City Council created CCDC to focus on solutions. This public nonprofit corporation began with 325 acres (1.3 km²) in four redevelopment projects -- Horton Plaza, Marina
Marina, San Diego, California
The Marina district is a neighborhood in the southwest section of Downtown San Diego, California, U.S.-Geography:The district is bordered to the north by the Columbia district, bordered to east/south-east by the Gaslamp Quarter, and is bordered to the south-west by the San Diego Marina.This...
, Columbia
Columbia, San Diego, California
Columbia is a neighborhood located in Downtown San Diego, California. The neighborhood is largely commercial, however there are a large number of highrise condominium buildings under construction....
and the Gaslamp Quarter. On behalf of the City and the Redevelopment Agency, CCDC facilitated the public/private partnerships necessary to turn the area around. Responsibilities also included strategic planning, urban design, property acquisition and relocation programs, public improvements and public financing for downtown projects.
Major Downtown development projects have included the San Diego Convention Center
San Diego Convention Center
The San Diego Convention Center is the primary convention center in San Diego, California. It is located in the Marina district of downtown San Diego near the Gaslamp Quarter, at 111 West Harbor Drive...
, the Horton Plaza shopping center, and the Petco Park
PETCO Park
Petco Park is an open-air ballpark in downtown San Diego, California, USA. It opened in 2004, replacing Qualcomm Stadium as the home park of Major League Baseball's San Diego Padres. Before then, the Padres shared Qualcomm Stadium with the NFL's San Diego Chargers...
major league baseball field, as well as many new high-rise residential and business buildings. With an investment of $898.5 million in public monies, redevelopment leveraged $7.5 billion in private developments. As a result, annual sales tax, hotel room tax and property tax escalated nearly $116.3 million. Over 26,000 permanent jobs were created and 33,400 construction jobs.
Future plans
Adoption in 1992 of the Centre City Redevelopment Project (CCRP) merged three of the original four project areas and expanded CCDC's area of responsibility to include almost all of Centre City's 1500 acres (6.1 km²). Commercial and residential development is envisioned to accommodate over 50,000 residents and 150,000 jobs by the year 2025.More than just physical improvements are being confronted, however. The Social Issues Strategy, crafted by CCDC and the downtown community working together, acknowledges that success can only be achieved if the effects of homelessness and crime are addressed, as well.
Eventually, there may be room for more neighborhood parks and open space, infrastructure improvements and the long-sought landscaped connection between Balboa Park and San Diego Bay. Based on the Community Plan approved in March 2006, Centre City will add seven new parks and two new fire stations over the next ten years.
Controversies
In 2010, Mayor Jerry SandersJerry Sanders
Jerry Sanders may refer to:* Jerry Sanders * Jerry Sanders...
and the City Council called for increased oversight over the CCDC, after allegations of impropriety during the previous two years. A former chief executive of CCDC resigned in July 2008 amid allegations of conflict of interest involving a building project. Several past directors, board members, and staff have also resigned under fire, amid allegations of ethical violations.