I just love the Natural History Museum…and the picture above brings back some good memories from the movie…”Night at the Museum” with Ben Stiller…you know where the dinasaur actually comes to life. The San Diego Natural History Museum located in Balboa Park in Downtown San Diego has been awarded a $7 million grant to promote nature research and education. The grant, the largest ever one-time grant received by the San Diego Natural History Museum, will be used to construct a new permanent exhibit about the major habitats of Southern California. The grant came from a voter approved 2006 initiative called Proposition 84. It will pay for the 8,000 square foot installation which is due for completion for the 2015 Balboa Park centennial celebration.

To read more about the museum click on www.sdnhm.org.

Are you wondering what is going on over by Horton Plaza in the Gaslamp District? You know where the Hotel San Diego once stood between State Street and Union Street. Well…construction is going on for one of the finest structures in Downtown San Diego - the new United States Courthouse.

The 16-story, $368 million building, designed by Richard Meier and Partners and overseen by Hensel Phelps as the general contractor, will contain;

• 6 courtrooms
• Judges’ offices
• Office space for the U.S. marshal, pretrial services, the IRS and General Services Administration
• 98 underground parking spaces
• 14 federal courtroomsand will cover 2.6 acres in Downtown

Everyone is extremely excited about the project and they beleive that this will be one of the most exciting building to come to San Diego in a long time. To read more about this project click on www.ccdc.com.

The parking lot in front of Terminal 2 at the San Diego International Airport in Downtown San Diego will be shut down to allow for the construction of a dual level aerial roadway that will serve as a drop-off and check-in for departing passengers and a separation for arriving passengers.

A temporary parking lot at the Western end of the airport will replace the current short term parking until 2013 when the new expansion to Terminal 2 is completed at a cost of $865 million. When completed in 2013, Terminal 2 will have doubled in size, added 10 new gates for jets, twice the security check-in space and more than double the concession space. The temporary 1,350 space parking lot  will eventually be overnight parking for aircraft.

To read the San Diego Union Tribune’s article click on Airport parking changed by construction and to read 92101 Urban Living’s former blogs about San Diego International Airport click on San Diego International Airport Makeover’s Best Bet - California Pizza Kitchen, San Diego International Airport - is Getting a Facelift and Downtown San Diego Airport gets Clearance and Gives Local Businesses a Chance to Participate….

Check this out…free admission to Sicilian Cultural Pavilion, Sicilian Cuisine, Ethnic Entertainment on Four Stages, FREE Children’s Rides & Entertainment, Traditional Grape Stomp, Art, History, & Heritage of the Sicilian American Families of  the Little Italy District in Downtown San Diego. Can it get any better?

This is the 18th annual 2011 Sicilian Festival and its taking place on May 22nd from 10am to 6pm. Don’t miss out on some of the fun such as cooking demonstration, Book signing, flag procession, the Italian Drance Troup from Balboa Park, the Sinatra Guy and Carmello and his “madolino”. To see the full schedule click here.

For more information about this festival click on Sicilian Italian Festival and to read about 92101 Urban Living’s blog about last years festival click on Coming Up - Sicilian Festival in the Little Italy District in Downtown San Diego.

Hold on to your hats….British Airways will begin nonstop service between Downtown San Diego and London starting June 1st, 2011. As a Downtown San Diego Condo and Loft home owner….it really is nice to be able to take a short cab ride to the airport when feeling the need of spreading the wings. I think it’s great with the option to be able to go straight to London without any stops on the East Coast.

Although this is the third attempt to maintain the service it is hoped that the third time will be the charm. Airline and Tourist Officials are optimistic that the more diversified San Diego Economy will help boost corporate travel and a new alliance with American Airlines that fosters cooperation instead of competition will help fill seats.

The San Diego Regional Airport Authority and the Convention and Visitors Bureau are spending substantial funds to market it both here and abroad. In order to compete with Los Angeles and San Francisco which already have direct flights to London and to promote and market the project as a desirable vacation destination $200,000 has been committed by city’s Tourism Marketing District. In addition the Airport Authority has committed $750,000 in marketing assistance over the next two years and a waiver of landing fees in the first year valued at $133,312 the first year  and a 50% discount on the fees the second year.

To read the San Diego Union Tribune’s article click on British Airways flight just the ticket for San Diego tourism and to read 92101 Urban Living’s former blogs about the San Diego International Airport click on San Diego International Airport Makeover’s Best Bet - California Pizza Kitchen, San Diego International Airport - is Getting a Facelift and Downtown San Diego Airport gets Clearance and Gives Local Businesses a Chance to Participate…

Come on down to Seaport Village in the Marina District in Downtown San Diego this Easter weekend and catch the Bunny for your private photos between 11 am – 4 pm today and tomorrow the 22nd and 23rd of April, 2011. The Bunny will be located right next to the food court area…so you can’t miss him. This is what is included…

• Free Easter treats for everyone
• No appointment necessary
• All photo packages ready in just minutes
• All pets & groups welcome
• No personal or cellular phone photos permitted

Don’t worry about parking…the first 2 hours are free with purchase. To get more information visit www.seaportvillage.com

Fifty-two years ago a tradition bloomed in the Botanical Building in Balboa Park-the Easter Lily Display. With over 300 lilies to feast your eyes upon, it’s worth a visit. Personally, we venture out of our downtown San Diego condo and trek right up the road to Balboa just to see these gorgeous flowers.  One of my most favorite things about living in downtown San Diego is our close vicinity to Balboa Park and everything that comes along with it. And, I must say, seeing this garden full of flowers makes it feel like spring has sprung even with our gray, gloomy skies.

Admission to the Botanical Building is free (hours are 10am-4pm) and these Easter Lilies will be on display until May 15th.  Don’t miss out on this, it’s really a sight to see.

photo via flickr

Owning a downtown San Diego loft or condo has lots of perks and Art Walk is one of them. It is such a great event for everyone and there’s something about walking around Little Italy with art, music and performers all around you that makes living in downtown San Diego so worth it. It is a fantastic way to appreciate art of all forms in your very own neighborhood.

Mark your calendars for April 30th and May 1st from 11-6pm. It’s free and sure, it’s crowded. But, plan and map out your visit beforehand so that you can truly enjoy what Little Italy’s Art Walk is all about.

I am sure you guys have tried or heard about the famous Ocean Beach hamburger place Hodad’s. This is a great place to stop by to have an experiene of its own. Well…now…you do not have to go all the way to Ocean Beach to try this delicios buger. HODAD’S has now opened up its doors down in the East Village District in Downtown San Diego at 10th and Broadway. After many delays and a costly price tag…original cost estimates were $150,000 and turned out to be $425,000.

The restaurant is located in a century old building and the space was not designed to be a restaurant…so this is why the price tag became more costly than anticipated. To read more about Hodad’s click on www.hodadies.com.

As you walk along the San Diego Bay heading South past Seaport Village, the San Diego Convention Center and the new Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge in the East Village/Ballpark District you will shortly approach the foot of the Coronado Bridge. It is here the 133 acre Barrio Logan Redevelopment Project is taking place. This neighborhood has a distinctive character with cultural and ethnic qualities and they are focusing on to preserve this. As Barrio Logan is located in this ideal location where things are happening with a $3 billion in revitalization investment and by this provides investors with a great opportunity to capitalize on commercial, public and mixed use developments.

The development objectives are;

• Elimination and prevention of blight and deterioration
• Encouragement of new and continuing private sector investment
• Diversification of area’s commercial base and employment opportunities
• Light industrial and office opportunities
• Development of affordable multifamily and senior housing
• Strong transit character minimizing existing congestion

As the lot in Barrio Logan has been vacant for almost two decades…residents are excited to see the project taking place that will transform their neighborhood. The project is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2012 and will include;

• 92 affordable apartments for low income
• Storefronts for small business
• A supermarket

For more information about this project click on San Diego Redevelopment Agency.