KTUA Landscape Architecture and Planning

The Port of San Diego and the KTUA team were ecstatic to be recognized at last week's San Diego Section of APA Awards Ceremony. The team received an Award of Excellence under the Public Outreach category for the Pepper Park Master Plan. The project team employed comprehensive community engagement strategies during the planning and design process to ensure equitable feedback was collected from National City residents and stakeholders. The community's involvement led to a preferred design that will transform Pepper Park into a modern, sustainable, attractive, and exciting park space. Congratulations to everyone that contributed to this project! #parksandrecreation #publicoutreach #community

Construction is Progressing at Southwestern College’s Landscape and Nursery Technology Center & South Bay Botanic Garden.The South Bay Botanic Garden at Southwestern College’s Landscape and Nursery Technology (LNT) is the epicenter of teaching and learning about the region’s landscapes. For four decades, the 3.76-acre botanic garden classroom has guided students into the fields of horticulture, landscape architecture, landscape trades, sustainable landscape practices, floral design, golf/turf sports (design and maintenance), and other nursery occupations. KTUA is leading a team of architecture and engineering consultants in the redevelopment which involved creating a master plan for the Botanic Garden and the LNT classroom buildings that includes a net-zero Learning Technology Center, greenhouses and maintenance buildings, outdoor classrooms and laboratories, community gardens, nursery display and sales areas, and event spaces. Each of these elements is designed with universal access, and follows a unifying theme that incorporates and addresses each measure of success to strengthen the link between the Botanic Garden and the LNT program, reinforce the teaching and learning opportunities, and highlight sustainable design. Photo #1, from the artists studio in Jamul, of the 19' x 19' Lithomosaic geometric sun shape is the main branding logo for Southwestern College; Photo #2, looking northwest at the main entry monument/water feature - The monument represents a MAYAN theme and has a formal waterfall that pours into a naturalistic style water feature; Photo #3, looking southeast at the main entry plaza and seating areas - The main plaza helps define the main focal point of the LNT Center, a 50+ year old Live Oak Tree; Photo #4, from the PCL construction drone, shows the overall extent of the construction at the SWC-LNT project. PCL Construction

After 42 years, the longest tenure of anyone from KTUA, Cheri Blatner-Pifer has announced her retirement. Cheri started part-time at KTUA in 1982 after graduating from SDSU with a Speech Pathology degree. Once she engaged in the profession, her interest was sparked and she started taking landscape classes at Mesa College to expand her knowledge, eventually becoming a licensed landscape architect. Since then, she’s played an important role as a Senior Associate and leader in the company. Read more at: https://lnkd.in/gSVm3sqr

On May 23, 2024, KTUA attended the APA Inland Empire Section Awards Ceremony at the historic Fox Event Center in Redlands. We were excited to celebrate with two of our amazing clients. Awards included the City of Moreno Valley Parks & Trails Master Plan - Excellence Award, Comprehensive Plan – Large Jurisdiction, and the City of Menifee Parks Master Plan - Award of Merit, Comprehensive Plan – Large Jurisdiction. Congratulations to all of the Award recipients!

The San Diego Chapter of the ACE Mentor Program celebrated their annual student showcase on Saturday, May 18 at SDSU. On this day, student teams from the 12 schools in the program presented their incredible projects to their teachers, mentors, families, friends, and prospective future employers! This wonderful event is the culmination of the year-long work they embarked on in September 2023. KTUA is always incredibly proud and humbled to witness this great achievement and to celebrate the future of our industry. Photos are from our very own Jacob Leon, the team leader at San Diego High School. He also serves on the Board of Directors and chairs the Events Committee. Congratulations to all the students!

Thursday, May 16, 2024, numerous bicyclists made a pitstop in front of KTUA during the annual SANDAG Bike Anywhere Day. KTUA partnered with Bike SD again and offered coffee, bagel bites, and giveaways. Cyclists learned about recently approved legislation while test-driving through various traffic calming elements of our remote control car course. Bike parking, music, and a good time was had by all. Bike San Diego (BikeSD)

Join thousands for SANDAG Bike Anywhere Day on Thursday, May 16, 2024, from 7:00-10am, and ride your bike to local restaurants, work, school...or anywhere in the San Diego Region! KTUA is partnering with Bike SD again for our pitstop this year. We will be offering coffee, bagel bites, and giveaways. Come learn about recently approved legislation while test-driving through various traffic calming elements of our remote control car course. Bike parking, music and seating will also be available to kick up your feet and relax. #BikeAnywhereSD

Safer Speeds are the Secret Sauce to the Safe System Approach

On Saturday April 27th, several members of our KTUA work family enjoyed a beautiful hike on the trails of Daley Ranch in Escondido. What a fantastic way to celebrate Trails Day by getting together in the outdoors and taking in the fresh air! Trails bring incredible value to our everyday lives, contributing to the well-being of people everywhere.

KTUA currently has a Senior Designer Position (3-7 years experience) and also a GIS Analyst/Planner Position open. Read more details about each position at https://lnkd.in/gFXZhrj