The complex will provide affordable housing for more than 800 students. The groundbreaking will be held at the corner of 16th and C Street in downtown San Diego. Media parking is available at the event site (enter from 17th Street) and in the “V” Building parking structure, which is accessible from 17th Street. (View map). Senate President Pro-Tempore Toni Atkins, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, and other local and state representatives will join leaders from City College, San Diego Community College District, and the City College Associated Students Government for the event.
While design approval and construction of the apartment complex is still more than a year away, demolition work and site preparation have begun at the site of the college’s former Child Development Center on the city block bounded by 16th, 17th, B, and C streets. The planned eight-story building will offer below-market rent to some of the region’s students with the most need. The college anticipates opening the complex in the fall of 2028. The project cost is expected to be approximately $280 million. State leaders have committed $75 million through California’s Affordable Student Housing Program to kickstart the effort. City College was selected as one of the first community colleges in the state to receive such funding. This is based partly on the considerable needs of its students. A 2020 survey found that 64% of City College students faced housing insecurity, and 20% reported homelessness.