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Mike Ciampa

Broadway Pier Cruise Ship Terminal

04-20-09
Mike Ciampa

Broadway Pier Cruise Ship Terminal

Broadway Pier Cruise Ship Terminal, one of The Port of San Diego’s largest public work projects is advertising for construction bids.The building will have a baggage claim area, a passenger waiting area and a ticketing. There will also be a station for customs and Homeland Security, a passenger disembarking and a baggage handling. The building may be used for public events and public art will be included in the project.

To meet the demands of the Port’s growing cruise business a new terminal is needed. In 2008, there were 297 cruise calls, compared to 2007, with only 181 calls. Two cruise vessels at once can be handled by the Port’s main cruise ship terminal located at the B Street Pier. On days when there are more than two cruise ships in port, the vessels use Broadway Pier as an additional berth.The Port needs to build an additional cruise ship terminal to avoid losing business to other port cities that have more modern features.

The project includes a 52,000 square feet building and demolition and removal of an embarkation platform that is on the pier.The building is planned as a steel, metal-framed structure with photovoltaic panels and sustainable materials and equipment.We at 92101 Urban Living are very excited about this new project and to read the full article please visit The Port of San Diego

January 2009 Sold Units by Type of Sale

04-08-09
Mike Ciampa

Downtown Sold Units by Type of Sale

The January 2009 numbers are in and the above pie chart shows us how sales broke down for all of 92101. Resale and Developer sales account for 36% and 35% respectively while REO sales account for 29%.

Central Library Events

02-19-09
Mike Ciampa

Downtown San Diego LibraryVivaCity.com has a very informational site, not only of all things and events Downtown, but more specifically events planned this month at the Central Library, 820 E St. Events range from art exhibits and author talks to concerts and movies. Check out this months happenings at this months VivaCity site.

Scooters, Cupcakes and Roof Top Bars

08-15-08
Mike Ciampa

Urban Living lends itself to being on the cutting edge of what is new and "in" and hip and cool and every other adjective to describe the latest trend in fashion, food, transportation and nightlife.

I think it was 1984 when I last saw a Vespa. Now I see them everywhere in Downtown San Diego. With a shortage of parking and high gas prices, these two seaters are the perfect vehicle for the urban single or couple. They have become quite the fashion statement as well with people ordering them directly from the maker, the buzz on the street is that there is a waiting list for the little guys.

You can't walk a block without seeing one of the following: a gelato shop, a frozen yogurt shop and now, cupcakes. Desserts are all the rage and you don't eat them at the restaurant you just dined in. Not when you're an urbanite. The etiquette is to eat at the restaurant, then go on a walk back to your neighborhood and pop in to the gelateria for a piccolo cup of Stracciatella and Biscotti hand made on site. The beauty is that you can enjoy a nice meal, go for a walk for 5 or 6 blocks, and reward youself with a nice treat. Some of the new places even have live music performed by local musicians as well. What a great time!

If you are in the mood to show off how great you're looking now that you've been hitting the gym or yoga classes, then there are myriad places to go to at night-or day- to be seen. The Hotel Ivy has fast become the in spot for the Napkin Nights crowd. If you can't get in there, walk on down to Altitude and if it's the right night, you can watch the Padre game live as you will be looking into Petco Park. The Hard Rock Hotel has it's own Intervention every Sunday as well. So don't forget to do those extra crunches so the cupcake won't ruin the fit of your bathing suit.

Downtown San Diego Stadium Development?

08-15-08
Mike Ciampa

Terminal Project Rendering

NFL, NBA, NHL, even the Olympics in Downtown San Diego? Well, that is the proposal, and it is a big one at roughly a proposed $2 billion. Check out the Article entitled "Developers: Terminal deck could solve woes" The site is the 10th Ave. Marine Terminal just south east of the San Diego Convention Center...some of the most valuable property in all of Downtown San Diego. The proposal is this: "Developing a 96-acre deck over the 10th Avenue Marine Terminal could allow for a new sports arena or stadium, allow for expansion of the convention center and bring new tax revenue in from the waterfront." The possibilities for use of the site could include a football stadium for the San Diego Chargers, sports arena for NBA and NHL, the expansion of the San Diego Convention Center, and hotel development- or a combination of some or all of the above! This land is currently occupied by a working port terminal. Traditionally, the Port represents one of the most formidable opponents to pro-development of these very valuable areas. They argue the jobs taken away from Port workers would be replaced by lesser paying jobs. I can see that, but could you imagine the impact a development like this could have on the value of Downtown, and San Diego in general. This would solidify our position as major U.S. national city, and if done correctly put us on the map internationally. The project is scheduled to go before a vote November 14 of this year. I look forward to hearing more about this idea, even though I think it is going to be a long shot at best. Check out the Project Renderings provided by The Union Tribune Documents.