What’s next for Hillcrest’s AT&T building?

Some places enrich the community. Some places become problems to solve. 

But the AT&T building in Hillcrest inhabits a space between. It’s a huge part of the landscape, taking up a prime hunk of real estate between University and Robinson avenues. It once was topped by an impossible-to-miss microwave antenna – some would call it eye-catching, others an eyesore – but years of negotiation led last year to the obsolete tower finally being plucked from the roof of the massive complex.

So what’s next? More than one community member has a vision to transform the site. Our Thomas Murphy explores the building’s secrets. For one, it’s still a key comms site. And what about the “sunken garden” hiding in plain sight?

The words “open bar” just might be music to your ears. And if you find yourself succumbing to that temptation, we have an award-winning solution:

• Open bar at the new North Park tapas joint Bacari means 90 minutes of all-you-can drink, with two options to choose from. Contributor Frank Sababini Jr. explains. He also highlights which popular San Diego restaurants now have dishes on the menu at Petco Park.
  
  
• I have no idea when National Pizza Day is because in my world everyday is a good day to honor pizza. But Square Pizza Co. is piling up its own honors. Head to its Pacific Beach or East Village home to try the first-place winner at the International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas. Contributor Mark Nero has more on their Detroit-style square pie.
  
  
• Want a Times of San Diego tee? As we wrap up our spring campaign we’re putting out an incentive to donate. If you give $100 or more on April 9-10, we’ll send you an embroidered “support local news” T-shirt.