This new civic park transforms vast parking lots into the most significant green space on the downtown bayfront, becoming the long-awaited “front porch” of San Diego.

Built in 1938 on a prime waterfront site, the County Administration Center (CAC) was envisioned as a beautiful public gathering place. The original vision has come to life with a new 12-acre park and 250-car underground parking facility.

SGPA partnered with McCarthy, Schmidt Design Group, and International Parking Design for this design-build project. Our role was to create a new concession and restroom facility (equipped with natural lighting and ventilation), a new central plant with mechanical infrastructure for the building and park (electricity, water, cooling towers, and fountain equipment), and a new west terrace in compliance with historic preservation standards. SGPA also managed the LEED certification process for the southern part of the park, including the concession facility.

The park itself features a promenade, two colossal greens, gardens, plazas, terraces, a playground, fountains, large, grassy knolls, and unparalleled views of San Diego’s downtown skyline and its waterfront.