Setting the Stage for a World of Opportunities

A message from Vice Chancellor Joel Peterson

From internships to continuing education, Measure HH is investing in the people behind tomorrow’s projects.

From technical production skills to communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, theater education can prepare students for careers both in the arts and beyond.

Right now, the historic theater at the Educational Cultural Complex is about halfway through construction. Today, it looks less like a theater and more like a maze of conduits, catwalks, and crews. Meanwhile, three more theaters at City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges are progressing through design and moving closer to construction.

It’s easy to describe these projects in square footage, seats, schedules, and budgets. Those things matter. But they don’t fully capture what these spaces will mean once students and community members begin using them.

A theater is also a classroom, and the value of performing arts experiences extends beyond the stage. Students learn to meet deadlines, solve problems when things don’t go as planned, communicate effectively, and rely on the people around them. When the lights come up, everyone must be ready. There isn’t always a second take.

And while the performers receive the applause, a production takes a small army behind the scenes. Lighting and sound, stage management, set construction, costumes, arts administration, and other technical roles can lead directly to careers in theater, live events, touring productions, technology, and entertainment.

Those skills also translate far beyond the arts. A student who has rehearsed with a group understands teamwork and accountability. Someone who has solved a production problem minutes before showtime knows how to adapt under pressure. These are skills valued in business, healthcare, education, and virtually every workplace.

Economic opportunities are significant, too. In 2023, America’s arts and cultural sector contributed $1.2 trillion to the economy and supported approximately 5.4 million jobs.

But there is another reason these theaters matter: communities need places to come together. Imagine a middle school choir performing for family members, a local playwright seeing a new work brought to life, or a community organization gaining access to a professional performance space.

So, when people ask what Measure HH is building, “new theaters” are technically correct. It’s just not the whole answer.

We’re building places where students can learn a trade, test an idea, solve problems, work as a team, and discover opportunities they may never have imagined. We’re also creating spaces where our communities can gather and experience wonder, beauty, or excellence together.

The buildings are important. What happens inside them is the truly lasting story.

Starting next month, we’ll begin featuring new voices from across our campuses to help tell the Measure HH story and its important impacts.



Thank you for your continued engagement and support. 

Sincerely, 

Joel L. A. Peterson, PhD, MBA, MA 

Vice Chancellor & Executive Operations Officer 

San Diego Community College District

SETTING THE STAGE FOR THE FUTURE

Voices from Across the District

Performing arts spaces are more than places to rehearse and perform — they are where students learn, collaborate and connect with their communities. Through Measure HH, new and renovated performing arts facilities are planned across the San Diego Community College District.

Hear from faculty across the district as they share what these future spaces will mean for their students, their campuses and the communities they serve, and how improved facilities will create new opportunities for teaching, learning and performance.

SMALL BUSINESS, STRONG PARTNERSHIPS

A Conversation with Rodney Thompson

Small businesses play an important role in delivering Measure HH projects and supporting improvements across the San Diego Community College District.

Hear from Rodney Thompson, president of Accent Engineering & Construction Inc., as he reflects on his company’s relationship with SDCCD, the value of working with the district and his gratitude for the opportunities that have allowed his business to contribute to projects serving students and the community.

MAKING EVERY TAXPAYER DOLLAR COUNT

Protecting taxpayer money is central to Measure HH, and SDCCD has a strong track record to build on.

This summer, the district refinanced bonds from its two earlier construction programs, Propositions S and N. It works much like refinancing a home mortgage: by locking in a lower interest rate, the district will pay about $27 million less in interest over time, with no change to any project voters approved. Since those programs began, refinancing has saved taxpayers more than $366 million.

Measure HH is also off to a strong start. In January 2025, the district sold its first $850 million in Measure HH bonds, and investors were willing to pay more than face value, bringing in $901 million. The district applied the additional $51 million to paying down the debt, which will also spare taxpayers $66.7 million in interest over the life of the bonds, for combined savings of $117.7 million. 

As Measure HH moves forward, the district will continue to look for opportunities to lower borrowing costs while carefully managing project schedules and budgets, ensuring the $3.5 billion San Diego voters entrusted to us goes as far as possible.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

COMPLETED

Hardscape Improvements

The Hardscape Improvements project addressed uneven pavement throughout the campus by grinding down raised surfaces and reducing potential trip hazards. The completed work provides smoother, safer walking surfaces and improves pedestrian safety for students, faculty, staff and visitors across campus.

In Progress:

• Business & Technology (BT) Building Restroom
• Academic Success Center (L) & Early Education Center (EEC) Building Panic Button Installation

MEASURE HH PROJECT PROFILES

Would you like to learn more about each project taking place across the San Diego Community College District? Explore the list of profiles for detailed insights on all projects.

ALPHABET SOUP

From planning to construction, Measure HH comes with a lot of terminology. Each month, we highlight one term you're likely to see or hear along the way. See more terms and definitions in our Measure HH & Capital Projects Glossary!

Pull Planning

Pull planning is a team approach to building a project schedule. Starting with a goal or completion date, team members work backward to map out what needs to happen, when it needs to happen, and who is responsible for each step. This helps everyone understand how their work connects and keeps the project moving forward.

ICYMI (In case you missed it)

Did you miss a past issue or want to go back and re-read an article? Here are links to some past issues:

>> May

>> June

>> August

CONNECT WITH US

With construction underway and major projects in procurement, Measure HH is transforming facilities that serve nearly 90,000 students annually while demonstrating exemplary fiscal stewardship. Future e-news updates will provide additional details on all bond-related activities.

If you are interested in learning more about Measure HH and would like to schedule a presentation for your departmental team or a community organization, or have ideas for future stories, please email us at SDCCDMeasureHH@sdccd.edu.