The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, having scuttled its satellite operations downtown, is negotiating with UC San Diego on a deal for its property on Kettner Boulevard.
The decision, Kathryn Kanjo, the museum’s director and CEO, shared in e-mail to supporters, was prompted by expanded capacity and enhanced opportunities at the venue’s flagship La Jolla location.
The Santa Fe Depot buildings on 1100 Kettner, listed for sale, attracted the interest of UCSD, and the parties have entered into a non-binding Letter of Intent to sell the property. Negotiations continue.
If the acquisition takes place, UCSD will expand its downtown footprint to the west. It’s Park & Market site in the East Village hosts concerts, lectures and other events, while serving as a home base to local civic and arts partners.
The museum’s agreement with the city states that the new owner must use the space for cultural purposes; the city also must agree on the ownership transfer.
MCASD had ambitious plans for its satellite downtown location, but the final special exhibition there closed in October 2022. The museum joined with the La Jolla Playhouse in commissioning an immersive theatrical work by the San Diego-based Optika Moderna, “La Lucha,” that ran through June 2023.
The space will continue to be used for performing arts programs by two local partners, Blindspot Collective and Disco Riot, until the sale is complete.
Kanjo emphasized that the museum will “remain committed to being an integral part of San Diego’s cultural fabric.”
“From our long-standing school partnerships to more recent programs for older adults, MCASD will continue to partner with organizations across the region, off-site as well as in La Jolla,” she wrote.
The museum also coordinated a lease transfer for another property, 1001 Kettner Blvd., which will welcome a new tenant, the Navy SEAL Museum, expected to open later this year.