San Diego is stepping up its efforts to tackle billions in overdue infrastructure projects by shifting to a model where contractors help design projects, instead of just building ones already designed by city engineers.

Officials expect the new model, which the City Council approved last week, to reduce cost overruns, improve quality, boost transparency and help the city tackle its massive infrastructure backlog more quickly.

“These changes aim to help the city meet growing infrastructure needs by streamlining the capital improvement program, enhancing public works contracts and encouraging innovation,” said city engineer Rania Amen. “This diversified approach will enable the city to better manage costs, schedules, risks and quality.”

City officials say the new method will be used for large and complex upcoming projects like the Hodges Dam replacement, convention center expansion and new drainage channels in parts of southeastern San Diego that flooded in January 2024.

They say early collaboration between a contractor and city officials boosts understanding of project goals and agreement on them, making projects easier to build and allowing innovations that improve quality.

San Diego faces nearly $12 billion in infrastructure projects over the next five years, and the city expects to have only about $5.5 billion to spend on infrastructure during that time.

That leaves a $6.5 billion gap, which is the largest ever. And the gap has more than tripled since early 2020, when city officials estimated it at $2.16 billion.

Officials say the new method could help them more quickly replace the city’s daunting amount of aging infrastructure — a result of so much of it having been built during the city’s population boom of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.

Because contractors will be chosen based on qualifications instead of submitting the lowest bid, costs for some projects may be higher, city officials said.

But because the new model fosters earlier collaboration between the city and the contractor, cost overruns are much less likely and savings from mutually agreed-upon value engineering are more likely, they said.

Some projects might start more slowly because a contractor must be chosen before design begins, but the new model is likely to end up being faster overall because it will eliminate some tasks now handled sequentially, the city’s independent budget analyst said.

A key element of the process is the contractor being required, partway through the design process, to propose a guaranteed maximum price. The city can either accept that price or reject it and find another contractor.

Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera called the new model an important change in city policy.

“We’ve actually missed out by not having these tools in the city’s toolbox,” he said.

The new tools are called “progressive design-build” and “construction manager at risk.” The key difference from the city’s existing policy is that contractors will participate in design.

The city’s existing process has design work being completed either by city engineers or outside architects before a contractor is chosen — a decision based on which contractor submits the lowest bid.

City officials said that method will still be used for smaller projects with clear scopes and fully developed plans.

They said the progressive design-build approach will be used for projects that require significant innovation and that face potential permitting and regulation headaches, such as sewer and water projects.

They said the “construction manager at risk” approach would likely be used for projects that require more design work, such as dams and large buildings.

Officials said other city projects that are candidates for the new method include Fire Station 49 in Otay Mesa, a proposed joint training facility for police and firefighters in Kearny Mesa and Phase Two of Pure Water — the city’s sewage recycling system.

While San Diego hasn’t previously used these construction methods, many other local agencies have since they first became common about a decade ago.

They were used to build the new Terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport, the sheriff’s Ramona substation and the San Diego Trolley’s Blue Line extension to University City.

“Early contractor involvement is critical,” said Matthew Fleming, a local contractor.

Michael Daneshvar of Turner Construction said the new method is the right move.

“It’s better value for the city of San Diego and better value for the taxpayers,” he said.

Mike Guzzi of Clark Construction said shifting to the new method will encourage higher-quality contractors to pursue the city’s projects.

“I think all of the major, competent and qualified general contractors in the area will lean more into San Diego projects,” he said.

Councilmember Marni von Wilpert said it can’t hurt for the city to have multiple possible ways to tackle projects.

“We need to broaden the options,” she said.

Editor’s Note: Send event details (who, what, where, when, cost and contact information) in an email to ehimchak@pomeradonews.com. The deadline is noon Friday. Items run on a space available basis. Questions? Call 619-806-7305.

Thursday, Oct. 16

Early bird networking: The Poway Chamber of Commerce hosts speed networking at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 16 at Cully’s Restaurant, 13252 Poway Road. Non-member guests can attend free of charge for their first event. For details, visit Poway.com.

Worldly topics: Abel Julio Gonzalez will talk about protecting people from radiation during the 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 16 World Affairs Council North County meeting. It will be at The Remington Club, 16916 Hierba Drive in Rancho Bernardo. For details, visit northcountyworldaffairs.org.

Save a life: The Community Church of Poway is hosting an American Red Cross blood drive from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16 at church, 13501 Community Road. To schedule an appointment or for details visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter “Poway” for the sponsor code.

Silver Screeniacs: Adults age 50-plus are invited to watch the free movie, “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” from 1 to 3:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16 at the Mickey Cafagna Community Center – Oak Hall East, 13094 Civic Center Drive. Complimentary popcorn will be provided. For details, call 858-668-4671.

Planners to meet: The Rancho Bernardo Planning Board will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16 in the Bernardo Heights Community Center, 16150 Bernardo Heights Parkway in RB. For the agenda, visit RBPlanningBoard.com.

Friday, Oct. 17

Textile treasures: Make a pumpkin pillow while exploring natural and synthetic fibers during a class for adults age 50-plus from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 17 at the Mickey Cafagna Community Center – Willow Room 306 in Community Park, 13094 Civic Center Drive. Cost is $15 per participant; registration is required. For details, call 858-668-4671.

Help the blind: The Rancho Bernardo Lions Club will be holding its annual White Cane Fund Drive from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 outside the Rancho Bernardo Albertson’s, 12475 Rancho Bernardo Road.

Teen party: Teens ages 11 to 17 years old can play laser tag and enjoy pizza at a free after-hours party at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 at the Poway Library, 13137 Poway Road. Registration is required. For details, call 858-513-2900.

Bingo: San Rafael Catholic Church Women’s Fellowship is hosting a bingo night on Friday, Oct. 17 in the Parish Hall, 17252 Bernardo Center Drive in Rancho Bernardo. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Play starts at 7 p.m. Cost: $10 to play eight games with three chances to win each game. Cash prizes and light snacks. Proceeds go to charity. Men and women ages 18 and up welcome.

Saturday, Oct. 18

Like poodles? The annual Poodle Palooza Extravaganza benefitting 4 Paws of Love pet therapy organization will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 in Webb Park, 16826 Bernardo Center Drive in Rancho Bernardo. Viewing is free and open to the public. There will be a poodle parade around the park (9:30 a.m.), dog and non-dog related vendors, a silent auction, swag bags for poodle participants, contests, games and more. Cost: $25 per poodle. For details, visit 4pawsoflove.org.

Tool sharpening: The Seven Oaks Woodworking Club will sharpen knives, serrated knives, scissors and garden and hand tools. Drop off items between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 at the Seven Oaks Community Center, 16789 Bernardo Oaks Drive in Rancho Bernardo. Pick up late Saturday or Monday. Cash or check. No chainsaws, power tools or saws. For details, call 858-487-4058.

Help the blind: The Rancho Bernardo Lions Club will be holding its annual White Cane Fund Drive from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 outside the Rancho Bernardo Albertson’s, 12475 Rancho Bernardo Road.

Pumpkin craft: Adults are invited to make a succulent pumpkin craft from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 at the Poway Library, 13137 Poway Road. Sign-up is required. For details, call 858-513-2900.

Diwali: The Rancho Bernardo Library will hold its free celebration of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, from 3 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18. Participants will make and decorate Diyas (traditional oil lamps) and enjoy light refreshments. This is for all ages. The library is at 17110 Bernardo Center Drive. For details, call 858-538-8163.

Teen science: Teens in grades 6 to 9 are invited to unearth nature’s wonders with experiments and encounters with animals during a Teen Program Series from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 at the Mickey Cafagna Community Center – Oak Hall in Community Park, 13094 Civic Center Drive. Cost is $6 participant; registration is required. For details, call 858-668-4671.

Sunday, Oct. 19

Diwali: The Poway Library will hold its free celebration of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19 at the library, 13137 Poway Road. The event features dance performances and crafts for kids. For details, call 858-513-2900.

Free concert: Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church will present a free concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19 in the church sanctuary, 17010 Pomerado Road. Organist Christoph Bull will perform rock music and other genres on the organ. He is a university organist and organ professor at UCLA as well as organist-in-residence at First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, which houses one of the largest pipe organs in the world. All are welcome. For details, email liz@rbcommunity.org.

Monday, Oct. 20

STEAM for kids: A science, technology, engineering, arts and math activity will feature slime at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20 at the Poway Library, 13137 Poway Road. For details, call 858-513-2900.

Tuesday, Oct. 21

RB safety: A representative from Navy Federal Credit Union and an expert in fire prevention-home hardening will speak at the 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21 Rancho Bernardo Neighborhood Watch community meeting. It will be at the Seven Oaks Community Center, 16789 Bernardo Oaks Drive in Rancho Bernardo. For details, visit RBNW.org.

Council meeting: The Poway City Council will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21 in the City Council Chambers, 13325 Civic Center Drive.

Wednesday, Oct. 22

Aloha ukulele: Adults aged 50-plus are invited to learn tablature, sheet music, chords and lyrics through ukulele strum-and-sing sessions from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22 at the Mickey Cafagna Community Center – Willow Room 306 in Community Park, 13094 Civic Center Drive. Sheet music is provided and limited ukuleles are available for class use.

Canasta: Adults aged 50-plus are invited to play the popular Canasta card game that combines elements of Bridge and Rummy from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22 at the Mickey Cafagna Community Center – Willow Room 301 in Community Park, 13094 Civic Center Drive.

Thursday, Oct. 23

Teen craft: Teens ages 11 to 17 years old are invited to make Halloween candles at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct 23 at the Poway Library, 13137 Poway Road. For details, call 858-513-2900.

Bocce: Adults ages 50-plus are invited to play bocce ball from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 at Poway Community Park’s Bocce Ball Courts, 13094 Civic Center Drive. Playing is free and instruction is provided during the first hour.

Chamber mixer: The Poway Chamber of Commerce invites community members, organizations and businesses to meet, network and collaborate with food, drinks and drawing prizes at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 at The Hop Stop, 14055 Midland Road. Free for chamber members and first-time guests; $25 for returning guests. For details, visit Poway.com.

Saturday, Oct. 25

Band tourney: The 48th annual Mt. Carmel Tournament of Bands will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25 at Mt. Carmel High School, 9550 Carmel Mountain Road in Rancho Peñasquitos. It will feature 38 bands from across Southern California and feature parade and field show competitions. Field shows start at 8 a.m. and continue into the evening in Sundevil Stadium. The parade review starts at 11:45 a.m. in the school’s parking lot. Field show general admission tickets are $20 for adults; $15 for students, seniors and military; and free for children 5 and under. Reserved seating is $35. Watching the parade is free. For the schedule and to buy tickets visit tinyurl.com/MCHS-band25.

Dog adoption: Coldwell Banker Realty will host a Homes for Dogs Project from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 25 at its office, 16787 Bernardo Center Drive, Suite 6 in The Plaza at Rancho Bernardo. Its adoption partner will be A New Life Rescue. In the days leading up to the event it will also accept donations of pet items for A New Life Rescue and Love Your Feral Felines. For details, call 858-676-6138.

Halloween carnival: The National Charity League will present the annual Halloween carnival with games, candy and a haunted hallway at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 at the Poway Library, 13137 Poway Road. For details, call 858-513-2900.

Sunday, Oct. 26

Choir performers: The Haneen Choir will sign traditional Syrian songs at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26 at the Poway Library, 13137 Poway Road. For details, call 858-513-2900.

Trunk-or-treat: The Community Church of Poway is hosting its free Trunk-or-Treat from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26 in the church’s parking lot, 13501 Community Road. There will be games, prizes, hot dogs and snacks along with decorated vehicles and lots of candy. For details, call 858-748-3304.

Tuesday, Oct. 28

For women: The Rancho Belles women’s social organization will discuss the benefits of participatory arts during its 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28 gathering in the Eastview Community Center, 17520 Drayton Hall Way in Rancho Bernardo. Participatory arts are forms of artistic expression that enable shared ownership of decision-making processes that aim to generate dialogue, social activism and community mobilization. For details, email Ranchobelles@gmail.com.

Open house: The Poway Chamber of Commerce is hosting an open house to give the public the chance to meet the staff, board members, local business owners and city officials from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 13029 Danielson St., Suite 120. For details, visit Poway.com.

Concert: The Kensington Baroque Orchestra will perform at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28 in the Rancho Bernardo Library’s community room, 17110 Bernardo Center Drive. Admission is free, but donations are welcome to support the Friends of the Rancho Bernardo Library concert series. For details, call 858-538-8163.

Wednesday, Oct. 29

Learn more: San Diego Oasis will hold its catalog pick up party from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29 at its Rancho Bernardo location, 17170 Bernardo Center Drive. Learn what classes and other activities it has to offer to adults 50 and older in coming months. There will be free refreshments and opportunity drawings for Oasis gift cards. For details, call 858-240-2880 or visit san-diego.oasisnet.org.

San Diego hotel and restaurant owners are balking at a city proposal to charge them steeply higher fees for their valet parking spaces and on-street outdoor dining areas.

City officials say the hikes are justified, because San Diego loses revenue when parking spots that could otherwise have meters are devoted to other uses like dining or valet parking drop-off and pickup.

But critics, including the county lodging association and merchant groups, say the hikes could prompt some restaurants to eliminate on-street dining altogether and force hotel guests to clog streets by double parking.

One Mission Beach restaurant owner said Tuesday the city can’t keep raising fees and costs on a struggling industry and not expect a rash of closures. “We are teetering,” said Eric Christiansen, the owner of Guava Beach Bar & Grill.

The proposal, which the City Council is scheduled to consider early next month, is part of a wider city campaign to cope with expected budget deficits by raising parking rates and beginning to charge in new places like Balboa Park.

City officials say it’s costing taxpayers many thousands of dollars per year in potential parking meter revenue — revenue that could fund city services — by allowing on-street dining and valet spots, especially popular downtown because hotels there lack space for self-parking by their guests.

And the amount of potential revenue the city is missing out on rose sharply this year, after hourly meter rates were doubled from $1.25 to $2.50, daily meter operations were extended by two hours and a special event zone with higher rates was created near Petco Park.

In an effort to recover a greater share of that lost revenue, city officials are proposing to raise the fees for street-dining space by more than 30% and to hike valet parking fees even more dramatically. Currently, those fees are nearly $38 per square foot in most areas; they would rise to $50.

Fees for outdoor dining would rise by nearly 32% in most neighborhoods and even more in the special-event zone. Also, a fee exemption would be eliminated for seating that is open to the public, instead of reserved only for restaurant customers.

For valet spaces, hotels would pay $5,600 per year for the standard allotment of two valet street spots of 22 feet each, up from the current $600 per year. City officials say the $600 is an application fee, and the $5,000 is a new fee that aims to recover part of the city’s costs.

The hotel industry has mostly accepted that change, but it’s objecting to proposed fees for hotels that want more than two valet spots. Each additional valet spot beyond two would cost a hotel $10,000 in areas that have parking meters and $15,000 in the special-event zone.

“That is just too high for guests, as well as the operators, to be able to absorb,” said Fred Tayco, executive director of the San Diego County Lodging Association.

Tayco said some hotels could end up paying close to $100,000 per year if they need several additional valet spots, predicting that scaling back valet spots would lead to dangerous double parking and unloading of luggage.

“While valet parking may appear like a luxury, for downtown it’s a necessity,” said Tayco, noting that 63% of tourists who visited San Diego last year came by car.

Michael Trimble, executive director of the Gaslamp Quarter Association, questioned how the city arrived at the new proposed fee amounts.

“We can’t support arbitrary, unpublished surcharges that punish businesses,” Trimble said.

City officials say the proposed fees were carefully calculated based on the typical revenue a parking meter generates in a year.

Ahmad Erikat, a program manager in the city’s Transportation Department, said a typical meter downtown generates $25 per day, which may rise to $30 per day now that operating hours have been extended by two hours.

Erikat said the city multiplied that rate times the 350 days per year that meters operate — there are 15 holidays per year when they don’t — to get a total expected revenue per downtown meter of $10,500. So the city decided to charge $10,000 for additional valet spots.

“The objective is to be as close as possible to cost recovery,” he said.

In the special-event zone, a similar calculation led the city to propose $15,000 per valet spot, Erikat said.

For restaurants or hotels willing to operate valet spots only from 5 p.m. to midnight, the fee would be $2,500, which is based on how much meter revenue could otherwise be generated during those hours, Erikat said.

He stressed that the first two valet spots would still be heavily subsidized by the city. Instead of charging the $20,000 that cost recovery would dictate — $30,000 in the special-event zone — the city would charge $5,600 for those two spots.

Full cost recovery would kick in only when additional spots beyond the standard two are required by a business.

The proposal was approved 4-0 by the City Council’s Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee last month. It is scheduled for a vote by the full council on either Nov. 2 or Nov. 3, according to a spokesperson for Mayor Todd Gloria.

Councilmember Stephen Whitburn, who chairs the committee and represents downtown, said he sympathizes with businesses facing higher fees.

But he suggested keeping those fees down is less important than making sure hotels have the ability to claim additional valet spots if they need them.

“The policy enables valet services to remain possible while enabling the city to recover the true cost of lost parking revenue,” Whitburn said.

He said the hotels make enough money to cover the higher costs. “The collection of valet parking revenue results in some pretty significant revenue,” he added.

Christiansen, the Mission Beach restaurant owner, considers the fee hike for street dining a huge mistake.

“It’s a ridiculous increase by a tone-deaf city,” said Christiansen, who has operated Guava Beach Bar & Grill for 23 years.

With the city’s minimum wage still rising incrementally and costs for food and energy going up, he said the city shouldn’t charge more for street dining spots when restaurants are barely surviving.

“We can’t absorb anymore costs — we are teetering,” he added. “It’s going to be a rude awakening for the city when restaurants start to close. Boarded-up buildings are a bad look for tourists.”

The Little Italy Association, whose businesses would be some of those most affected, declined requests for an interview.