February 16, 2024

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Today’s Forecast

⚓️ Sailing toward Freedom Park

Rendering of Freedom Park with an aerial view that shows green space and the USS Midway Museum

More green space is coming near the USS Midway Museum. | Rendering via Port of San Diego

Something big is on the horizon along the Embarcadero in downtown San Diego. The Board of Port Commissioners has approved a declaration of intention to build Freedom Park at Navy Pier — a 10-acre space that will make history and preserve it.

Why this is important

This approval allows construction to begin on a project that’s been discussed by the Port of San Diego and USS Midway Museum for over two decades. Specifically, the board approved a $7.4 million contract with AMG Demolition and Environmental Services, Inc. to start demo on the three-story headhouse on Navy Pier. The facility hasn’t been used by the US Navy since 2007.

Freedom Park outdoor space. A rendering that shows what Navy Pier could look like in 2028 with walkways, gardens, green space, a flagpole, and bike parking. — This is what Navy Pier is anticipated to look like in 2028.
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Rendering via Port of San Diego

This stage is expected to begin this spring and last about a year. Navy Pier will then undergo structural repairs before construction starts on Freedom Park’s new amenities.

What’s coming

Freedom Park is expected to be completed in 2028 and will bring more outdoor space along San Diego Bay. It will also honor the city’s military history and everyday heroes.

“Freedom Park at Navy Pier will be the largest veterans park on the West Coast,” said Terry Kraft, the USS Midway Museum’s president and CEO.

A view of the Freedom Park promenade with a 4-way intersection in the middle made of walking paths. — This promenade will give San Diegans more ways to enjoy San Diego Bay.
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Rendering via Port of San Diego

The Navy Pier redevelopment will cost an estimated $65 million. Once completed, it’s expected to include:

A public promenade with trails and educational information.
Gardens that emphasize native plants.
Signage, seating, and bike parking.
Two new monuments and a flagpole at the end of the pier.
A concessionaire with low-cost snacks and public restrooms.

Much of the development costs center around the ~5-acre space on Navy Pier. The Port of San Diego has clarified that Freedom Park’s full, 10-acre footprint will encompass other areas around the museum and merge Navy Pier and Tuna Harbor Park into one entity.

Events

Friday, Feb. 16

SDSU Aztecs vs. Portland Pilots Baseball | Friday, Feb. 16-Sunday, Feb. 18 | Times vary | Tony Gwynn Stadium, 5500 Campanile Dr., San Diego | $6 | Swing by for the university’s first series of the season.
Bee Gees Gold: The Tribute | Friday, Feb. 16 | 8 p.m. | Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., San Diego | $33-$53 | “How Deep Is Your Love” for the Bee Gees? This tribute show will give you that (Friday) “Night Fever.”
San Diego Tết Festival | Friday, Feb. 16-Sunday, Feb. 18 | Times vary | Mira Mesa Community Park, 8575 New Salem St., San Diego | Free | The Vietnamese-American Youth Alliance and Vietnamese Federation of San Diego will highlight the Year of the Dragon with lion dances, live entertainment, a pageant, vendors, and arts and crafts.

Saturday, Feb. 17

Lunar New Year Storytime | Saturday, Feb. 17 | 10 a.m. | Carmel Valley Library, 3919 Townsgate Dr., San Diego | Free | The San Diego Public Library branch hosts a bilingual reading session in honor of Lunar New Year.
Chinese New Year Fair | Saturday, Feb. 17 + Sunday, Feb. 18 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | International Cottages, 2191 Pan American Rd. W., San Diego | Free | The House of China will lead this celebration filled with entertainment, fun activities, and vendors in the heart of the historic, multicultural hub.
Lovers Ball 2024 | Saturday, Feb. 17 | 3 p.m. | The Soap Factory, 2995 Commercial St., San Diego | $22-$27 | That Good Good Market presents 20+ local vendors, live music, and DJ performances.
Beatles vs. Stones: A Musical Showdown | Saturday, Feb. 17 | 7 p.m. | The Magnolia, 210 E. Main St., El Cajon | $28-$48 | Rock out to tribute acts performing timeless tunes from the Fab Four and the Stones.
Juneshine x Dose of Laughter Comedy Night | Saturday, Feb. 17 | 7 p.m. | Juneshine, 10051 Old Grove Rd., San Diego | Free | Get a healthy dose of comedy as registered nurse-turned-comedian Chuck Meyers takes the mic.

Sunday, Feb. 18

Open Air Yoga | Sunday, Feb. 18 | Times vary | San Dieguito Lagoon Staging Area, 15648 San Andres Dr., Del Mar | Free | Find your zen with this guided session at the Birdwing Open Air Classroom open to yogis of all levels.
Vista Makers Market & Bar Hop | Sunday, Feb. 18 | 12-5 p.m. | Dogleg Brewing Co., 1347 Keystone Way, Ste. A, Vista | Free | Shop 40 local makers selling a variety of handmade goodies like jewelry, knitwear, home decor, art prints, soap, and candles.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Announced

Meet SDtoday’s new partner

We have some exciting news to share and wanted our loyal readers to be the first to know.

Starting next week, you might start to see SDtoday and KFMB sharing more of each other’s content on our respective platforms. This may include weather forecasts, sports news, morning show content, traffic reports, and other relevant news.

While this new partnership won’t change the uplifting and informative content you see in this newsletter, it will help us to celebrate more news and events happening in San Diego together.

And that’s our mission: Spread the word about the amazing things going on in this city, and share our deep pride in this community with as many people as possible. Thanks for being a part of that.

News Notes

Weather

Hello, sun. San Diego County’s forecast shows a mostly sunny weekend, with high temps in the mid-60s today-Sunday. But don’t put your rain jacket away, the National Weather Service predicts a chance of showers throughout the county on Monday and Tuesday. (National Weather Service)

Outdoors

Another round of high surf is expected to hit San Diego County beaches this Sunday, Feb. 18, bringing waves up to 7-10 ft. Local scientists are monitoring the waves for their impact on coastal erosion, but the swell won’t overlap with exceptionally high tides. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Civic

San Diego leaders have signed the first-ever citywide project labor agreement to establish guidelines regulating city-funded construction. The policy will help ensure projects are completed on time and within budget while prioritizing safety and ensuring local labor groups receive fair compensation.

Announced

Rey Mysterio. Drew Brees. Alex Morgan. Those are a few of the local stars on the roster for the inaugural San Diego Celebrity Softball Game that will go down during Padres FanFest on Sunday, March 24. Fans can grab tickets to the free event starting today.

Open

Pawsome news in Chula Vista: The Hilltop Dog Park has opened. The off-leash space occupies the northern side of Hilltop Park and is marked with signage, but locals should know that the area is not fenced. The space is the 10th dog park in Chula Vista. (Fox 5)

Concert

With a “Heart of Gold,” Neil Young and Crazy Horse will come to San Diego for two nights. The band will perform the “Love Earth Tour” at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre on Wednesday, April 24 + Thursday, April 25. General public tickets go on sale today starting at 10 a.m.

Feel Good

“I still do.” Lantern Crest Senior Living in Santee hosted a vows renewal ceremony on Valentine’s Day, celebrating longtime love in San Diego County — including Bob and Nadine Weishan who’ve been married for 72 years. The occasion also memorialized never-ending love for widows who have lost their partners. (CBS 8)

Sports

We’re hoping for the best, but what’s the worst that could happen in the 2024 MLB season? Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the San Diego Padres with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

The Buy

Cute, matte black shower shelves that stick to your shower wall + give you way more room to store products. Our favorite feature: The shelves are 100% rust-proof, meaning they’ll last over time and allow for easy cleaning.

Answered

We asked which meals you like to eat at restaurants. You said...

Hot chocolate, whipped cream, and croissants and a nice table. — What’s a French brunch without a croissant and a hot drink — du chocolat chaud, perhaps?
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Photo via Little Frenchie

Recently, we asked which meal you’re most likely to eat at a restaurant, and you were hungry to give us answers. Here’s how you voted:

36% — Dinner
34% — Lunch
14% — Breakfast
14% — Brunch

There are no wrong answers here, but we were a bit surprised because San Diego’s brunch game is so strong. If you’re in the mood to spice up your routine, we recommend checking out a new, local restaurant.

For those of you who are fans of brunch, we want to know — where is your favorite local spot to get the late morning (or afternoon) meal?

Tell us your fav brunch spot

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Michael

From the editor

Good morning, San Diego. I’m glad to have another mostly sunny weekend, and I think I’m going to check out the Chinese New Year Fair at the International Cottages in Balboa Park. I’ve been in the past, so I know how great the food and entertainment are. If you’re looking for other fun things to do this weekend, we’ve got ideas.

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