Question:
I thought it was funny, but then I got a "0" at the end of the quiz. Some of the
questions did not seem to make sense, or quite fit with the city . . . but a
ZERO!?!?
Anyway, I agree that the idea of a creative environment can make a city prosper. I
read similar articles in 1994, just prior to going to college. I even thought at
that time that San Diego could become a nice hub, especially after NAFTA passed.
Unfortunately, all that drives through here, and does not stop until Los Angeles
or San Francisco.
Answer:
The big thing here now is to push San Diego into tourism as the main industry. The
largest job growth is in restaurant, retail, and hotel. In the north part of the
county, we have Lego Land, and in the south part there is Sea World. There is also
the famous San Diego Zoo. We also have quite a bit of building going on downtown,
and in a few other exclusive created communities. The hotel capacity is expanding
to attract more conventions.
Some of the ideas of Irvine and Orange county areas are being expanded into San
Diego. Developers are making lots of money here. Most of the building ideas are
similar, with a Starbucks for every projected 150k people, and restaurants at
least every other block. One of the primary concepts is to build a shopping center
first, then the condos, supplying a micro economic self contained center . . .
ready shoppers with waiting shops. The toughest part is transportation for the
retail and restaurant workers, though the city is promising expansion of the
trolley system within the next five years. Downtown properties start around $400k
for a studio or one bedroom condo, though about half are becoming instant rentals.
The local paper is talking quite a bit about the ballpark downtown. There are 400
jobs currently associated with the construction. When it is finished, the city
projects about 5000 jobs created during the baseball season, and about 50 year
round jobs. This is the biggest project in town, though there are many high rise
condos, and townhouses being built. There are some construction jobs, though a bit
of controversy with a Canadian company bringing in many of their own workers.
Anyway, just thought some of you might find this interesting. The survey did not
talk much about what is going on in different cities. I would be curious to read
about developments in other cities. Perhaps some could compare with what I have
reported.
Similar large mural in San Diego, actually a couple of them. The oldest of
those is next to a parking lot, which is soon to be the location of another
high-rise. I think a similar thing happened to the whale wall in Hawaii,
which had a shopping center put up so close to it, that you have to walk
through an alley to see any of the image.
One of the most interesting public art display collections I have seen is
in downtown Houston Texas. There are quite a few large sculptures in front
of several different buildings. Nice to see art in public, and a shame
there is not more of it.
The most recent wall painting in San Diego was an American Flag on the side
of a Bail Bonds place. They put it up themselves, though it is out of
proportion, and does not have 50 stars . . . but a good effort anyway (I
guess). Lots of the really old buildings with murals and old painted
advertising are disappearing . . . shame since this is part of graphic
design history.
