FEW BUILDINGS are as closely identified with San Diego's civic history as the County Administration Center. Since its dedication in 1938, this landmark on the bay has been the operational heart of county government and an enduring symbol of public service. While its importance has never been in question, ensuring that this National Register of Historic Places landmark could continue serving the public well into the twenty-first century required an extraordinary commitment to preservation, planning, and public stewardship.
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Left to right Julio Medina, Architect, Sillman; Kathryn Moroz, County of San Diego, Project Manager; Gavin Broatch, Construction Manager, RTD Construction Management Corp; Richard Dinnean, Construction Manager, RTD Construction Management Corp |
Through its comprehensive Major Systems Renovation Project, the County of San Diego, under the leadership of Project Manager Kathryn Moroz, fulfilled an extraordinary commitment to preserving one of the region's most significant historic resources while also preparing it to operate at its best for future generations.
The County embraced preservation as the foundation for modernization. While the building remained open for business, workers upgraded aging mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, security, accessibility, and seismic systems while fastidiously protecting the building's myriad defining historic features. Throughout the project, original marble corridors, terrazzo floors, mahogany railings, bronze elevator doors, and rolled steel windows were protected, then meticulously conserved and restored. On the exterior, historic lighting, clay tile roofs, mosaic domes, and decorative concrete were checked and cleaned, then restored or refurbished. Art conservators safeguarded and restored the center’s renowned Works Progress Administration-era artwork by San Diego sculptor Donal Hord and others, making sure the symbolic figures will continue to animate this public place for years to come.
The County’s outstanding restoration and renovation exemplifies the U.S. Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties by emphasizing repair before replacement, preserving original materials wherever possible, and integrating modern systems with exceptional care and restraint. Historic finishes were restored through scientific analysis, accessibility improvements were sensitively incorporated under the California Historical Building Code, and extensive seismic strengthening was accomplished without altering the building's architectural character.
Equally impressive was the County's ability to complete this complex, multi-year undertaking while maintaining uninterrupted government operations, carefully stewarding public funds, and navigating the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. By preserving the massive existing structure, the County advanced sustainability—conserving embodied carbon while dramatically improving energy efficiency and long-term building performance.
The County Administration Center has long stood tall as one of San Diego's defining civic landmarks. Through this remarkable, forward-thinking investment in preservation, the County of San Diego has virtually guaranteed that this architectural treasure will continue serving the public with distinction while remaining a powerful symbol of civic pride for decades into the future.
Project Team
Project Manager, County of San Diego: Kathryn Moroz | Architect: Julio Medina, AIA, Sillman | Architect: Milford Wayne Donaldson, FAIA
Project Manager, RTD Construction Management Corp.: Richard Dinnean | Project Manager, Turner Construction Company: Edgar Sanchez
Structural Engineer, BWE, Inc.: Charles Colvin, SE | Mechanical Engineer, IMEG Consultants Corp.: Eric Glatzl, PE
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