• The Botanical Building was closed to the public for construction preparation in January 2022.
• Phase I, which includes the interior and exterior restoration and renovation of the Botanical Building structure, is anticipated for completion in 2024. When Phase I is done and the public is invited back to the facility, the building restoration (structural) and the interior work will be complete. Exterior work may be ongoing at that time.

• Phase 2, which is spearheaded by Forever Balboa Park, will address the exterior gardens, pergola reconstruction and is scheduled for completion in 2024. After initiating structural repairs, the City is reviewing the needs and the budget to determine the final scope of Phase 1 (City responsibility). Therefore, the complete scope of work for Phase 2 (Forever Balboa Park) and its budget and timeline is still to be determined. FBP will be responsible for funding, hiring a contractor and overseeing the work of Phase 2.

  Planned:

  Restored and enhanced planting and irrigation in the exterior gardens and a portion of exterior hardscaping.
  The pergola that originally stood on the west lawn near The San Diego Museum of Art will be reconstructed.
  All donor acknowledgements for the project.

Phase 1:

• Includes the full restoration of the building to its original 1915 design, recreating the series of arched openings with Palladian windows and large doors, opening the inside space to the surrounding gardens as intended.

• State-of-the-art lighting and new irrigation systems will be added.

• Two new building additions will be provided on the north façade of the building providing additional work space.

Phase 2: The work Forever Balboa Park will undertake, to help restore and revitalize the Botanical Building and Gardens.

• Restored and enhanced planting and irrigation in the exterior gardens and a portion of exterior hardscaping. 
• The pergola that originally stood on the west lawn near The San Diego Museum of Art will be reconstructed.
• All donor acknowledgements for the project.

• Given the building’s age, many parts of the structure are damaged or in a dilapidated condition, including severe rust and corrosion of its steel structural elements, wood rot and termite damage on the structural girts, and deterioration of the redwood lath.
• The new walkway system will better support larger crowds and access for all visitors including those with disabilities.
• The irrigation system is faulty and not water efficient by today’s standards, and the plumbing and lighting systems are out-of-date and in need of repair.
• The support areas for the building are inadequate for appropriate care and maintenance of the botanical collection.
• Much of the authentic historic integrity of the Botanical Building and its contextual landscape is missing or damaged.

• Forever Balboa Park raised more than $600,000 which paid for the conceptual plans and renderings and 60% construction documents for the project, which were donated to the City of San Diego.
• The State of California granted the project $8.26 million for Phase 1, thanks to the advocacy from Forever Balboa Park and the persistent leadership of Senate President Pro Tempore Senator Atkins.
• The National Park Service “Save America’s Treasures” program awarded Forever Balboa Park $257,000 in support of Phase 2.
• The City of San Diego committed to more than $13 million in infrastructure funding.
• Forever Balboa Park is raising funds towards Phase 2, which includes planting and irrigation work in the exterior gardens, a portion of exterior hardscaping, and the reconstruction of the historic pergola. The cost of Phase 2 is still being determined and is contingent on the outcome of the City’s work on Phase 1.

No, the funds raised privately will remain with Forever Balboa Park and fund our portion of work on the project, separately contracted from the City’s endeavor.

• Phase I, which includes the restoration and renovation of the Botanical Building, is scheduled for completion in 2024.
• The timeline for Phase 2, which is spearheaded by Forever Balboa Park, is dependent upon the City’s final scoping of Phase 1. Therefore, the complete scope of work for Phase 2 (Forever Balboa Park) and its timeline is still to be determined.

• The City is committed to maintaining the facility as a botanical showcase at no cost to visitors.

• There is no formal agreement between the City and Forever Balboa Park for the future operation of the Botanical Building at this time. Forever Balboa Park supports the City’s commitment to maintaining the facility as a botanical showcase at no cost to visitors. 
• To ensure that the restored Botanical Building and its botanical collection are available to future generations at no cost to visitors, additional resources are required.

No, this is the City’s resource, Forever Balboa Park supports their efforts to maintain and operate it, keeping it free and accessible to all.

• The new interior configuration more closely represents the building’s original 1915 design. The existing planting/display area is approximately 7,722 square feet. The proposed display area will be approximately 6,211 square feet.
• The restoration will increase public accessibility and usage with a flexible botanical display area, new multi-purpose rooms and wider pathways for improved circulation.
• The restoration of the Botanical Building is dedicated to the growth, care, observation, and education of plants and horticulture within the Balboa Park National Historic District.
• The flexible square footage planned provides opportunities for rotating plant displays, horticultural education, visitor information, and increased usage.

Forever Balboa Park paid for and donated conceptual plans, renderings and 60% construction documents to the City to initiate the project. After initiating structural repairs, the City is reviewing the needs and the budget to determine the final scope of Phase 1 (City responsibility). Therefore, the complete scope of work for Phase 2 (Forever Balboa Park) and its timeline is still to be determined. FBP will be responsible for funding, hiring a contractor and overseeing the work of Phase 2.

While the full scope of Phase 2 is still being defined, what is known at this time is that currently, Forever Balboa Park will be responsible for the planting and irrigation work in the exterior gardens, a portion of exterior hardscaping, and the reconstruction of the historic pergola. Forever Balboa Park will be responsible for all donor acknowledgements for the project.

• The City has established a Capital Improvement Project for the Botanical Building and through Public Works is managing and helping fund, with the State of California, Phase 1 of the restoration of Balboa Park’s Botanical Building.

• Forever Balboa Park has committed to securing resources to ensure the building, botanical collection, and exterior gardens are maintained at best-in-class levels.

Since 2016, Forever Balboa Park and the City of San Diego have provided ongoing formal updates and workshop items regarding the Botanical Building and Gardens project at Balboa Park Committee public meetings and the Historical Resource Board.

• January 2016 Update: Conceptual Design and Planning Botanical Building and & Gardens project, Tomas Herrera-Mishler, Balboa Park Conservancy

• February 2016 Update: “Mr. Tomas Herrera-Mishler, Balboa Park Conservancy, reported the following: – Selected a consulting team for the design work at Botanical Building. – Roesling Nakamura Terada Architects, Inc. (RNT) will spearhead the design aspect of the project.” 

• March 2016 Update: “Botanical Building Project work will be done by R & T Architects,” Tomas Herrera-Mishler, Balboa Park Conservancy

• April 18, 2016 Forever Balboa Park held a public meeting, where feedback was solicited from community members on the project goals and vision.
• June of 2016 RNT Architects surveyed Botanical Building visitors to collect additional feedback and insight on the project.
• May 2016 Update: “A Botanical Building steering committee has been formed and will be meeting soon to begin reviewing the Botanical Building enhancement project.” Tomas Herrera-Mishler, Balboa Park Conservancy

• June 2016 Update:  “The Botanical Building is in the design phase.” Tomas Herrera-Mishler, Balboa Park Conservancy

• January 2017 Update:  “Design proposal for the Botanical Building.” Tomas Herrera-Mishler, Balboa Park Conservancy

• October 2017 Update: “Donor recognition program for the Botanical Building has been approved by Park and Recreation. They are now in the quiet phase of the capital campaign.” Tomas Herrera-Mishler, Balboa Park Conservancy

• February 2019 Update: “Botanical Building and & Gardens project update.” Tomas Herrera-Mishler, Balboa Park Conservancy

• April 2019 *** Balboa Park Committee Information Item: 502 *** Botanical Building Restoration Concept Plans. Presenter: Kotaro Nakamura, AIA, Roesling Nakamura Terada Architects
• June 5, 2019 Forever Balboa Park presented the conceptual design to the Design Assistant Subcommittee, Historical Resource Board.

• October 2019 Update: “Botanical Building and & Gardens project Save America Treasure Award announcement.” Tomas Herrera-Mishler, Balboa Park Conservancy

• November 2019 Update: “The Botanical Building project is moving forward and the bridge documents and grant information will be provided to the City in mid-December.” Jacqueline Higgins, Balboa Park Conservancy

• January 2020 Update: “Botanical Building project update– delivered 60 percent construction drawings to the City and met with many City Departments.” Tomas Herrera-Mishler, Balboa Park Conservancy

• March 2020 Update: “noted that construction documents were provided to the City for the Botanical Building.” Tomas Herrera-Mishler, Balboa Park Conservancy

• June 2020 Chair Katharine Johnson read Update: “The Botanical Building project is moving forward.”

• August 2020 Update: “The RFP for the Botanical Building will be out in September/October.” Jacqueline Higgins, Balboa Park Conservancy. 

• January 5, 2022 E&CP presented to the Design Assistant Subcommittee of the City’s Historical Resource Board.
• January 6, 2022 P&R and E&CP presented to the Balboa Park Subcommittee on the project’s construction timeline and impacts.