OFFICE OF THE VICE CHANCELLOR-RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
AND PLANNING
AND
OFFICE OF ASSOCIATE VICE CHANCELLOR-ACADEMIC PLANNING AND PROGRAMS
April 26, 1999
ALL AT UCSD
SUBJECT: Development of Blackhorse Farms Land
We would like to update the campus community about the development of the Blackhorse Farms area of campus land, and acknowledge the invaluable guidance offered by many members of the campus community in overseeing this project.
After an extensive review process, UCSD today will advertise for proposals to design, finance, develop and operate a conference center/hotel complex on this UCSD land sited at North Torrey Pines Road across from the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies. The University will provide this site on a long-term, unsubordinated ground lease basis.
In the spring of 1998, Chancellor Dynes appointed David Miller, Associate Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, to head a joint Senate-Administration committee to review Blackhorse Farms land development alternatives. The committee determined which options would yield the greatest benefit and financial return to the campus, plus have the highest likelihood of garnering community acceptance. The committee's recommendation was to develop a conference center and hotel complex on the site similar to the project that was proposed by the campus in the mid-1980s. That project called for the development of a conference center/hotel with 210 guestrooms and 15,300 square feet of conference space. Although the downturn in the national economy prevented the previous project's development, key external approvals, including Coastal Commission, San Diego Specific Plan, and Planned Commercial Development (PCD) remain in place.
The Chancellor, Senate committees on Campus Community Environment, Faculty Welfare, and Planning and Budget, and the Senate Council subsequently reviewed the committee's report. There was general agreement that the property should be used for the development of a conference center/hotel complex. A second committee was then formed to develop a Request For Proposals for the site and review the submittals. This committee is comprised of campus administrators and Senate members, and is chaired by Vice Chancellor, Resource Management and Planning John Woods. Representatives from the Office of the President and General Counsel, and hospitality industry consultant J. Paul DeMyer of Rochlis & DeMyer are advisors.
The UCSD goals for the project reflect the deliberations of both committees. 1) Be available and affordable for University campus users (i.e., the facilities would be offered to UCSD organizations at reduced/subsidized rates on a prioritized booking schedule);
2) Be creatively redesigned from the original plan, to reflect a more academic and executive conference-oriented ambiance, while still meeting the requirements of the Specific Plan and PCD permit;
3) Meet UCSD's significant need for facilities to host University related meetings and conferences and accommodate overnight visitors attending seminars or participating in recruitment efforts.
4) Enhance/realize the value of the land and create a long-term income stream to the University; and
5) Provide student employment opportunities We are indebted to all the members of the campus community who have assisted with this review process; and especially acknowledge the contributions of the committee members -- Joint Senate-Administration Committee to Review Blackhorse Farms Land Development Alternatives
Samuel A. Bozette, Professor, Medicine
Theodore Groves, Professor, Economics
Margo G. Haygood, Associate Professor, SIO/MBRD
Robert Lugannani, Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
David R. Miller, Associate Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Chair
Milton Phegley, Campus Community Planner
John A.Woods, Vice Chancellor, Resource Management and Planning Committee to Review Blackhorse Farms Conference Center Hotel Proposal Submittals
Daniel Arovas, Associate Professor, Physics
Ann L. Craig, Professor, Political Science
Terence M. Davidson, Professor, Medicine
Theodore Groves, Professor, Economics
Margo G. Haygood, Associate Professor, SIO/MBRD
Boone Hellmann, Asst. Vice Chancellor, Design and Construction
Kathleen Kelleher, Senior Real Estate Officer, Office of the President
Nancy E. Kossan, Director of Real Estate Development
David R.Miller, Associate Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs
Milton Phegley, Campus Community Planner
David Rinehart, FAIA, Design Review Board
Mary Walshok, Associate Vice Chancellor, Extended Studies & Public Programs
John A. Woods, Vice Chancellor, Resource Management and Planning, Chair
John A. Woods	David Miller
Vice Chancellor	Associate Vice Chancellor
Resource Management & Planning	Academic Planning & Programs