Generational Opportunity

Months ago I met with a real estate analyst. It was not to discuss business or even real estate, we met as an introduction. When given the chance, I knock on the various doors and sometimes they open or a corridor presents itself which leads to another opening. It’s the usual thing: some industry small talk and the story of the small, green behind the ears start up talking about desired concepts hoping to get some type of positive feedback and maybe, an prospective investor.

I have had these brief meetings many times and what I have found intriguing is the lessons I’ve walked away with. Most times I leave the meeting with an initial lesson, usually geared towards industry topics. Then I ponder the talk deeply, disassemble it, criticize my presentation, and unveil the nugget wedged in the semantic substrate.

This industry professional has worked on many important projects, and I have too, if only in my mind. My mental exercises are not egomaniacal constructs, but rather visions of what can be. These are visions of things I believe will add value to the built environment.

During our conversation I recall conveying a concept about a proposed project. I was eager to hear a rebuttal from someone who has dealt at this level for years. It was as if the reply would be more of a truth then a simple opinionated vision. I was so eager to gain a minute tid-bit that I could deconstruct in my mind for days, even weeks.

“I’m sure they have all their reasons figured out over there.” He remarked.

That was it? No concept? No thoughts or alternatives? The reply was located at the divide between trust and ambivalence: I trust that they talked about it and my own ideas are of no concern.

I was a touch disappointed and our conversation continued. Later, I was happily surprised that the brief reply was the introduction to a new perspective and a new way of considering my own ideas. It was refreshing as a type of disguised “don’t give a f$$$” mentality which I am completely comfortable being immersed in. He was right. It didn’t matter what I think about it. For a project that large, it’ll never be right. There are too many moving parts, too many entities to satisfy, and many many mouths to feed. That’s what I gathered from the exchange, but my social translator has always be irreparably damaged, which is fine.

I also thought about the generation of my own ideas. Those too carry value and it was as if there was an element of “I’ll have an opinion when I’m paid to have one.” I really enjoyed that thought. Maybe I’d been thinking like a student rather than a founder. But I am a student of the built environment and the crafting of cities. But cities are big, complex machines with many operators and little room for ideas from outside the circle and outside the box.

Being enlightened by this realization was a way to jettison a heavy piece of machinery in my own mind: the speculative concept generator. I’ve always felt like I’ve had a special intuitive bind with this place especially. I’ve always felt like I have a unique perspective, a more ground level eye for detail which connects with the overall vision.

There was so much truth in what was said. It is true that it doesn’t really matter what I think. What matters is what the public thinks. Yes, most of the public is not trained in urbanism or architecture other Related industries, but they possess an experiential factor because they live in a city. Hell, most of the public are trained as industry professionals and they still don’t always get it right; in my opinion.

I’ve spent more time thinking about my own work. Im not drafting conceptual plans for a very real project which I have no involvement in. I guess I’d have to imagine what it would be like if someone else built out my site. My first reaction is one of great interest and excitement; maybe there are key concepts to be extracted that can make things better - remember the best ideas win. Yes, I can think trust but I can also see being annoyed.

There are big projects all over the city. Chula Vista Bayfront - they would never consider the scope but, wow, I believe the concept would be an expansion of future opportunities gaining serious connections to San Diego.

Seaport Village is huge and must be well tended. It seems they have it covered.

The Sports Arena. I’ve followed the action but I’ve got nothing.

Now, a project with generational ramifications as the signature for the great city of San Diego. The Civic Center area and new city hall. This is a World Trade Center type of project scale. Whatever happens needs to be done right. These blocks will come to represent what San Diego was, is, and will become.

I’m confident the involved parties have a solid grasp of the gravity. But wow, it will be interesting to see what they come up with.