Hundreds of Pacific Beach and La Jolla residents turned out to protest the 22-storoy skyscraper known as the Turquoise Tower on Saturday, July 19. Critics say that developers are using loop holes to build the monstrosity in North PB. They were joined by allies from across San Diego. 30 members of the San Diego Community Coalition and aligned groups turned up in support of the protest.
Hosted by the local group Neighbors for a Better California, founded by Marcella Bothwell who is also on the PB Planning Group, the event began with a short march from Dunn-Edwards Paint parking lot on Mission Blvd east to the 970 Turquoise Street site.
Eric L. reported that there were, “Lots of support from passers-by on Turquoise and merchants along the street. The only ‘issue’ of note was the police — already present to handle a traffic accident — asked our throng to move out of the road so cars could safely pass.” Eric also commented, “I was told that there were counter-protesters — I never saw them — but that they turned out to be “also” protesters: they weren’t in favor of the tower either.
Erik B said he saw “5 yimbys observing from behind the wall by the street.”
Fox5 reported that the high-rise “has sparked fresh demands from residents to shut it down for good, and that the “developer, Kalonymus, faces growing pressure to address the community’s concerns about its plans.”
Marcella Bothwell, chair of Neighbors for a Better California was quoted:
“We’ve been waiting for a long time for a response from the developer on the cycle one comments and they’ve just kind of gone dark. They say that they want housing and they want to convert it all to housing, but it’s really, truly a hotel right now.”
Fox5:
Plans submitted to the city by Kalonymus show they’re trying to use the state’s density bonus laws to bypass local laws and build a nearly 240-foot-tall building made up of more than 200 units. Sixty-five are slated as market-rate, 10 are designated for low and moderate income residents, and 139 are planned for “visitor accommodation.”
Opponents worry if passed, the legislation would further empower developers to use loopholes in existing state laws. Concerns also continue to linger among the business community about the impact of such a large project if it gets the greenlight.
“This will jeopardize even the existence of this building somewhat with the fact that I won’t be able to get the people in the door, let alone help them and that’s what we’re here for. It’s sad,” said Michael Hill, commander of VFW Post 5985 on Turquoise Street.
Protesters were also there in opposition to Senate Bill 79. The Times of San Diego reported:
Hundreds of San Diegans rallied and marched in Pacific Beach on Saturday to protest the 23-story “Turquoise Tower” project, as well as Senate Bill 79.
SB 79, also known as the Abundant & Affordable Homes Near Transit Act, is currently in the California State Assembly. The bill, now in the Assembly Housing Committee, aims to increase housing near existing public transportation stops, even planned future transit stops, by allowing for taller and denser residential development there. …
Back at 5180 Mission Blvd. in the Dunn-Edwards Paint parking lot, a boisterous rally was taking place, organized by Neighbors for a Better California. Neighbors is a grassroots, non-partisan coalition advocating for housing policies prioritizing people over profit. NFABC is particularly concerned about the effects of state-housing mandates and developer-driven legislation on neighborhoods.
The NFABC rally featured recorded music and civic leaders with bullhorns exhorting the crowd to protest increasing density and high rises like the Turquoise Tower, which protest organizers decried as “luxury towers serving developers and not the local community.”
Residents, children, even dogs carried signs with slogans like “Local Voices Not State Choices” and “We Want A Better California For Everyone.”
“This (tower) is not a good future for us, it’s going to hurt businesses like mine and commercial businesses,” said Mike Hill, commander of VFW Post 5985 and American Legion Post 552, during the NFABC rally. “It will negate our ability to be a positive and helpful part of this community. Thank you for being here and caring.”
Times quoted Trudy Grundland, a Bird Rock resident and member of both Neighbors and the San Diego Community Coalition:
“The city is not being honest, sharing or respecting us. This tower is not fair housing. This will forever mess up this area, and it will set a precedent for more towers here.”
Charlie Nieto, president of the Pacific Beach Town Council, was also quoted; he thanked the assemblage for “protesting against government overreach and corporate greed.” He added, “We are here at ground zero, the epicenter of the latest round of developer greed that has birthed this 23-story abomination. We know if we don’t fight now it (over development) will never end. This is a battle between the people, and established special interests.
“This is not a housing project. It’s a sick abuse of public policy for pure profit. This is not housing that has the appearance of a hotel. This is a luxury hotel masquerading as housing. What’s more serious to me is the disproportionate scale, the impact it has on the surrounding area, and the deceitful actions behind it.”
Marcella Bothwell was also quoted by Times of SD. She “closed the rally by encouraging coastal residents to join in the battle to oppose high rises and over densification, and support local control over housing development.
“Your presence matters. Together we’re standing up for our neighbors, for the people who call this community home. The developer wants to build a 23-story skyscraper right here in our neighborhood.
“This skyscraper would transform our community forever. It will clog our streets, strain our water and sewer and delay our evacuation routes when really ‘need’ them. And for what? Only five out of 213 units would be affordable for low-income families.”
“We live here. We clean up our neighborhoods, raise our families, support local businesses, etc. The city, mayor Gloria, Joe LaCava, all nine council members must stand up for us. We voted them into office and we can vote them out. They need to demand that they reject this (tower) permit. SB 79 will hit here on our streets. We’re in this fight for the long haul.”
Don’t vote them out …. recall them and kick them out. ALL of them! Start with Toddy. There will be more than enough volunteers to gather signatures….somebody just has to fund it.
Michel Malecot, owner of the French Gourmet, was on local TV yesterday saying that business is very slow and was hurting his employees. He implored people to continue to patronize his restaurant and bakery until he goes out of business. He said he had no idea the buyer of the property was planning to construct a high-rise and only found out after the deal was closed.
Sad. The French Gourmet started out on Pearl Street in La Jolla more than 40 years ago and has been a fixture in the community all that long time/
Michel Malecot’s financial troubles are caused by having terminated the corporate catering contracts last year, in happy anticipation of full retirement. Kalonymus paid him in full in January’25 and offered the chance to stay open through the year at a reduced rent. Mr. Malecot thought it was a good idea, giving him more time to sell the kitchen equipment and vans. He since found out that a box of croissants and the sale of a quiche don’t pay the bills. There is no boycott by locals of the restaurant and bakery. He made a so-so business decision. No reason to blame anyone but himself. He sold 0.65 acres for $7 million. A 5% interest gain on $6M is $300,000 annually minus 20% taxes. That’s $20K/mo, $5K/week, $700/day. No labor costs. No butter and eggs and sugar. I’d call that a sweet deal. A windfall.
No one else in the neighborhood will have this kind of money. The VFW commander is worried attendance will drop below the amount needed for a quorum. If that happens the Post will have to close.
I feel sorrier for the veterans who depend on the Post than for Malecot.