San Diego City College Performing Arts Project Enters Schematic Design Phase

The new center will be a modern, flexible venue capable of accommodating a range of performances and events, supporting both campus programming and broader community use.
The new center will be a modern, flexible venue capable of accommodating a range of performances and events, supporting both campus programming and broader community use. | Photo Credit: Sundt Construction
  • TheSan Diego Community College District’sSaville Performing Arts Center Replacement project at San Diego City Collegehas moved into the schematic design phase.
  • The project will replace the existing Saville Theatre with a new performing arts facility of about28,000 square feetdesigned for academic programs and community use.
  • Scope includes demolition, hazardous materials abatement, utilityrelocationand upgrades, plus site improvements including new walkways and ADA-compliant paths of travel.
  • The work is part of the Measure HH Bond Program, approved in November 2024, totaling$3.5 billion.

SAN DIEGO —The Saville Theatre Replacement Projectat, part of the district’s Measure HH Bond Program,hasofficially movedfrom the programming phase into schematic design.The project will replace the existing Saville Theatre with a new,approximately 28,000-square-footperforming arts facility designed to support academic programs and community use.

The new center will be a modern, flexible venue capable of accommodating a range of performances and events, supporting both campus programming and broader community use.Theprogrammingprocess brought togetherfacultyandstaffmembers, whojoined theDesign-Build team ofandfora series of workshops and discussionsto help shape the project vision, offering insights oninstructional needs,room configurations, andhowto bestsupport teaching,learningand live performance.

Workwill includethe abatement, demolition, and removal of the existing Saville Theatre and the removal and replacement of associated site utilities and appurtenances in alignment with the campus’s Master Plan.New construction of approximately 20,000 assignable square feet (ASF) includes a street-level lobby with Box Office, restrooms, and manager’s office. Amewmain theatre will include 250–350 seats, including stage, orchestrapitand control room as well as a scene shop and costume shop. Other support spaces include rehearsal rooms, recording/editingspacesand dance studios.

Planned exterior work also includes new walkways, sustainable landscaping and irrigation, signageand ADA-compliant paths of travelthat will connect to a future outdooramphitheatre.

“We are honored to continue our partnership with the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) on this important project,” said Ryan Nessen,SeniorVicePresidentand CaliforniaDistrictManager, according toa press release from Sundt Construction.

“This selection reflects the trust we have built over more than two decades and our commitment to delivering high-quality facilities that serve students and the broader community,” Nessenadded.

Measure HH, approved in November 2024, is a$3.5 billionbond program that will providestate-of-the-arteducational facilities, address long-deferred maintenance needs, and support accessibility and equity across the district’s colleges.

The project team also includes structural engineering firm KPFF, civil engineer Latitude 33, and mechanical and electrical engineer MA Engineers/Johnson Consulting Engineers.

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