November 29, 2006

El Cortez and its proposed neighbor

The problems with the proposal to build another building on the back terrace of El Cortez go beyond the homeowners' suits. The entire Cortez Hill community is opposed to this plan, not just El Cortez homeowners.

The proposed buildings are massive and ugly – everyone agrees to that. Even in proposal form, they just won an Onion for one of the worst examples of urban design in the city. Moreover, they would further crowd a neighborhood that city plans call for maintaining as a low-to middle-rise pocket.

The other high rises that the Centre City Development Corp. has freely let onto the hill are bad enough: one of them has just won the top Onion for worst design in the city.

They are another example of the city's business being conducted in secret. As for what the article presents as clear disclosure that the developer meant to build further on his lot, the Cortez Hill neighborhood was never informed of that. We received no disclosure. And while the homeowners apparently did, it was in a lengthy document with small print.

When they asked about it, they were told nothing could or would be built until 2025 at the earliest. This project is just more mud on San Diego's face.

AMY ROTH
San Diego

The planned expansion at the historic El Cortez Hotel is just another example of a San Diego sweetheart deal. When CCDC provided financial backing to Peter Janopaul and Anthony Block to restore this historic icon, did it understand that the development duo would so quickly cash out that investment by turning the building into luxury condos?

Now they want to take a very small corner of the property and build a modern high rise right next to it! I think most San Diegans thought that this great building would be respected and maintained for future generations and not be turned into a site for a greedy developer to make another fortune.

DAN SCHMITZER
San Diego