Emergency Update

Feb. 28, 2024

Crews are nearing completion of the original emergency project, which is considered Phase 1 of work. If there are no further weather delays, the remaining connection of the 24-inch storm drain street lateral will be done in two weeks. After that is complete, crews will work to restore the landscaping. All surface improvement items related to Phase 1 of the emergency project are expected to be completed by the end of March. 

As part of Phase 2, the City of San Diego is completing the assessment of the rest of the storm drain system connected to the repair site along Gilman Drive. We continue working with the contractor to develop the design and method of repair on the higher priority areas. 

Both buildings at 8803 and 8807 Gilman Drive remain red-tagged. The City continues to work with each property owner and the homeowner’s association as they assess the building conditions and determine the necessary repairs. The assessment and repair process is expected to take at least 12 months.

Jan. 16, 2024

Construction continues at the project site Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Crews have substantially completed the construction of the maintenance access holes and expect to backfill the trench by the end of the month. Then, crews will begin work on the interior lining of the pipe.

As part of a separate project, the City is evaluating approximately 5,000 feet of the existing storm drain in the area for possible spot repairs and rehabilitation. Crews plan to use technology that does not require digging additional trenches for the repairs.

Both buildings at 8803 and 8807 Gilman Drive remain red-tagged. The City continues to work with property owners and the homeowner's association to assess damage to the buildings and to determine the next steps. While these conversations continue, owner-occupants will continue to be provided with temporary housing at no cost to them.

Dec. 1, 2023

Crews are working on the new storm drain pipe and maintenance access holes and expect to complete that work and backfill the excavated site by Jan. 31, 2024. Once that is complete, a consulting engineering firm hired by the City will perform an in-depth assessment of the impacted buildings and determine the next steps. Both buildings at 8803 and 8807 Gilman Drive have been red-tagged; those residents are being provided with temporary housing.

Oct. 18, 2023

On Sunday, Oct. 15, residents in the building at 8807 Gilman Drive reported a water main break. After City staff and the contractor arrived to address the issue, it was determined that the building needed to be temporarily evacuated while crews investigated the source of the water and the stability of the nearby construction site. A consulting engineering firm hired by the City has since completed a preliminary building assessment. After reviewing the firm’s initial findings, the building at 8807 Gilman Drive may be red-tagged by the City on Thursday, Oct. 19. If the building is red-tagged, a City engineer will post a red notice on the entrance to all units indicating that the building is not safe for occupancy in the current state. Residents of the building will continue to be offered temporary housing accommodations at a nearby hotel until further notice. City contractors are still working to determine the cause, damage, repairs and timeline related to that water main break. 

Oct. 3, 2023

Following a recent building inspection performed by an engineering firm hired by the City of San Diego at the site of the project described below, the City has determined that the building at 8803 Gilman Drive in the La Jolla Terrace condo complex is currently unsafe for occupancy and the building must be vacated and evaluated more closely by the City. To ensure their safety, the residents of the eight impacted units will have limited access to their units and have been offered lodging at a nearby hotel.

At this time, no other units in the complex are impacted and are safe to occupy. Community members may see additional activity in the area for at least one month as the investigation and construction work continues.

Community members with questions regarding this emergency storm drain project may contact the project's community liaison, Paula Roberts with Aqua Community Relations Group, at 619-794-6406 or email paula@aquacrg.com. Please reference "8803 Gilman Dr SD Emergency" in your inquiry.

Project Description

Heavy rainfall from the winter storms in late 2022 and early 2023 caused an aged section of a 132-inch storm drain to collapse, resulting in a sinkhole adjacent to 8803 Gilman Drive in La Jolla. Emergency work is being completed to replace 70 linear feet of the storm drain. Crews will also construct two concrete drainage structures. After the new storm drain is installed, the surrounding area will be restored to its original condition, including the landscaping and walkway.

Anticipated Schedule 

• Construction start: Summer 2023.
• Construction end: Spring 2024.*

Current Work (Updated Dec. 1, 2023)

• Construction work continues to take place along Gilman Drive between Evening Way and Villa La Jolla Drive.
• Constructing the new storm drain pipe and maintenance access holes.
• Accessing the collapsed pipe for removal and repairs.
• Working hours are Monday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Contact Us

For questions about this project, contact community liaison Paula Roberts from Aqua Community Relations Group at 619-794-6406 or email paula@aquacrg.com. Please reference "8803 Gilman Dr SD Emergency" in your inquiry.

Email Updates

To receive email updates, submit your email address in the "Join Our Email List" box on the right side of this page and select the "Project Updates: 8803 Gilman Dr SD Emergency" email list.

*Anticipated schedule is subject to change.