With the land now secured for the San Diego Convention Center expansion, the San Diego Convention Center Corporation is moving ahead to identify a team to provide full architectural design services for the expansion. The Request for Qualifications (RFQ), issued on June 15, 2010, will identify local and national design professionals who have demonstrated a track record of success and can provide innovative solutions for challenges associated with major civic projects. The chosen team will ultimately design the expansion for one of San Diego’s most iconic buildings.

A selection committee will oversee the two step process, the first being the RFQ, followed by a Request for Proposals (RFP), in which selected multi-disciplinary teams will submit detailed proposals including conceptual design studies. At the conclusion, a recommendation will be made to the SDCCC board of directors to vote on approval of the final contract. The overall process will take about five months.

The expansion will be sited adjacent to the existing building extending toward San Diego Bay. The chosen design will be required to maximize traffic flow and allow attendees to transition from one area to the other seamlessly. In addition, special consideration to sustainability and green components will be an important factor. The target date for opening is mid-2015.

As the expansion project continues to take shape, we will keep you undated on the latest developments. For additional information, go to www.visitsandiego.com.