Historic Balboa Theatre
San Diego, California
As Owner’s Representative for Centre City Development Corporation, project management services were tailored to serve as an extension of CCDC’s leadership including full scope services during planning and design and coordination of on-site assistance during construction. With the goal of restoring this non-operating historic structure to its original 1924 grandeur as a fully operating performing arts venue, this $26.5 million rehabilitation located in the popular Gaslamp District of San Diego included three distinct phases of construction accomplishing:
- Hazardous materials abatement, seismic retrofit and extensive architectural modifications to comply with current building codes and ADA requirements
- Completely new infrastructure for mechanical, electrical, fire protection and plumbing systems
- New state-of-the-art performance systems including rigging, performance lighting, audio/visual technology, variable acoustics and new orchestra pit lift and orchestra side shell panels
- Complete restoration of the 1,350-seat audience chamber, lobbies and entry in accordance with a local application of the Secretary of the Interior’s standards for historic preservation
- Interior improvements consisting of expanded and improved box office, loading area, public restrooms, event space and office space in addition to new elevators and stair towers
- Exterior improvements consisting of refinishing and repainting stucco walls, civil engineering improvements involving public right-of-way, and accurate re-creation of exterior blade sign and entry marquee
Karen O’Connor is a valued professional that is well qualified, incredibly effective, and an absolute joy to work with. While keeping the big picture in the focus, she manages to deal with the minutiae of smallest of details, the most critical of timelines and every imaginable budgetary impact. Karen contributes to projects with clear and creative thinking, and the securing of options and alternatives that are always needed. Obviously, I’m a real fan of Karen’s, and look forward to an opportunity to work with her once again.
Don Telford
President & CEO
San Diego Theatres
Karen O’Connor is simply the best project management consultant I have ever worked with in 23 years in the public works industry. She provided a full range of services from contract negotiations with design consultants, preparation of a master project schedule, design review of plans and specifications, cost control reports and value engineering, to on-site construction management assistance. Without hesitation, I would hire Karen again given the opportunity.
Gary Bosse
Assistant Vice President
Public Works
Centre City Development Corporation