Mayor Todd Gloria today joined San Diego Community College District Chancellor Gregory Smith to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) launching the evaluation of a potential redevelopment of the former Golden Hall site at the Civic Center. The two were joined by Prebys Foundation CEO Grant Oliphant and Downtown San Diego Partnership President/CEO Betsy Brennan, who have been leading efforts to revitalize San Diego’s downtown center. 

The agreement allows the San Diego Community College District to study the feasibility of transforming the aging facility into a modern educational and cultural campus. The concept includes museum space to house the Mesa College World Art Collection, along with classrooms, performance space, and other public-serving facilities. 

“This is about putting a major civic site to better use for San Diegans. Golden Hall has served our city for nearly 70 years, and now we have an opportunity to transform it—making sure it delivers more value through education, arts, and community use,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. We have to be smart about the assets we have, and this effort takes an innovative look at what’s possible. It’s the first step in exploring a future that reflects who we are today and where we’re going.”  

“We appreciate and celebrate the visionary leadership of Mayor Gloria and our City Council in reimagining civic center as a cultural hub for San Diego,” said San Diego Community College District Chancellor Gregory Smith. “Today we take a significant step forward in expanding our service to San Diego as we work to bring the Mesa College World Art Collection and educational programs downtown to be accessible for all San Diegans.”

“Golden Hall has long been part of San Diego’s civic story, and this partnership advances the vision to revitalize that space in ways that can serve the public for generations to come,” said CEO of the Prebys Foundation Grant Oliphant. “As downtown San Diego evolves, this effort brings together education, arts and culture, public space, and housing in ways that can help create a more vibrant and connected city.” 

“Today’s MOU signing marks an important next step in the collaborative effort to revitalize Downtown San Diego’s Civic Center and plays a key role in creating America’s Outdoor Downtown,” said Betsy Brennan, CEO Downtown San Diego Partnership. “This work is about partnership and shared leadership, and we are encouraged to see the City of San Diego and the San Diego Community College District advancing a vision centered on education, public space, arts and culture, and long-term economic opportunity. This is the type of transformational investment that will help redefine Downtown.” 

The Prebys Foundation and Downtown San Diego Partnership are supporting early planning efforts to help advance the vision. Over the next six months, SDCCD will assess the project’s feasibility. Any future agreement for the site would require approval by the San Diego City Council.