SDCCD and City Sign MOU on Possible Redevelopment of Civic Center

The San Diego Community College District and the City of San Diego have taken a major step toward transforming the city’s historic-but-outdated Golden Hall into a museum and educational center as part of a comprehensive plan to remake the downtown Civic Center complex. 
 
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and SDCCD Chancellor Gregory Smith gathered with local leaders on May 11 with to sign a Memorandum of Understanding allowing the district to assess the feasibility of the project. As part of the proposal, the 50,000-square-foot Golden Hall property would be transformed into a 20,000-square foot gallery space showcasing rotating displays from Mesa College’s World Art Collection, which is quickly outgrowing its current home at the college’s Learning Resource Center Glass Gallery. The project would also include a conservation and collections storage area, classrooms for hands-on-learning, a 5,000-square-foot community and events space, and possibly hundreds of residential units on the Civic Center property.  
 
“This is about putting a major civic site to better use for San Diegans. Golden Hall has served our city for nearly 70 years, and now we have an opportunity to transform it—making sure it delivers more value through education, arts, and community use,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. We have to be smart about the assets we have, and this effort takes an innovative look at what’s possible. It’s the first step in exploring a future that reflects who we are today and where we’re going.”  
 
Established more than a half-century ago, the Mesa College World Art Collection now includes more than 1,300 pieces, including art and artifacts from Africa, the Pacific Islands, Mesoamerica, and Asia. What began as a donation of several pieces from Africa is today a priceless and growing academic asset for students and a highly sought-after resource for the study of indigenous cultures around the world.  
 
“We appreciate and celebrate the visionary leadership of Mayor Gloria and our City Council in reimagining civic center as a cultural hub for San Diego,” said Chancellor Smith. “Today we take a significant step forward in expanding our service to San Diego as we work to bring the Mesa College World Art Collection and educational programs downtown to be accessible for all San Diegans.” 
 
The non-binding MOU allows the district to inspect and assess Golden Hall before negotiating with the city on a possible purchase of the site, which would be a key piece in a larger renovation of the Civic Center. Mesa and district officials view a downtown World Art Collection site as becoming a leader in world art research, education, and engagement.  
 
Chancellor Smith credits the Prebys Foundation and Downtown San Diego Partnership for their support advancing the vision. Over the next six months, SDCCD will assess the project’s feasibility. Any future agreement for the site would require approval by the San Diego City Council.