The Architectural Transformation of Downtown
October, 2005

arry Papers is the Manager of Architecture & Planning for Centre City Development Corporation. He oversees the planning, urban design and architectural design review for the 1500 acres of downtown San Diego. He is enthused about the transformation of downtown and gained experience by living and working there when he first came to San Diego.  Mr. Papers joined Austin Veum Robbins Parshalle Architects and worked on the Smart Corner Mixed-Use project and ANKA, 6th and Market Condo Tower before being hired at CCDC in 2003.

Mr. Papers holds a master’s degree in architecture (emphasis in Urban Design) from the University of Oregon and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colgate University. He is a California- and Oregon-licensed architect, a member of the American Institute of Architects, San Diego Council of Design Professionals, Downtown San Diego Partnership’s Urban Design Committee and is a Fellow with the Institute for Urban Design.  Papers spent 10 years as a leader in the successful design revitalization of downtown Portland.

As a downtown resident, worker, pedestrian, parent and advocate, he is fully committed to transform the downtown San Diego area into a dynamic city “defined by architectural excellence”.  He currently leads several major urban design efforts–North Embarcadero Waterfront Master Plan and the Community Plan Update for the entire downtown.  The phenomenal residential growth, Petco Park and the growth of a burgeoning work force have created demand for more commercial building downtown.  Zoning changes call for mixed use and a need for more parks.  Mr. Papers recently discussed the addition of 7 parcels of land in various neighborhoods for public parks.

Learn more about Centre City Development Corporation on its website.  Read about what is happening in our vibrant downtown area.  A favorite hobby is counting cranes with all the buildings going up but envision the change over time.

Also, CCDC offers tours of the downtown area, so that is another good way of a “seeing is believing” approach.