The Equality Business Alliance, and Uptown News, along with the public were the first to hear the ideas about the development for the long-empty Pernicano’s and Casa Di Baffi Restaurants during the Uptown Planners Community Advisory Group meeting at Joyce Beers Center in Hillcrest.
“The once-famous Italian restaurants, frequented by celebrities and locals alike, has been vacant for more than three decades despite pleas by Hillcrest residents and local politicians to either reopen or demolish the decrepit building.” * (see sources below)
San Diego developer Sherman Harmer, Jr, President of Urban Housing Partners, Inc spoke as an information item at the Uptown Planners meeting.
According to Jeannine Savory, Realtor for the property, the Pernicano family is in escrow with a Urban Housing Partners, Inc. She recently told Uptown News that Mr. Harmer had asked to appear before the Uptown Planners, “because they want to be sensitive to the community and not compromise the integrity of the project.”
“Deeply rooted in the San Diego development community, Urban Housing Partners has a reputation of bringing significant value to every project it is involved in. The firm has been successful in the development of: large scale urban master plans, for-sale housing, high-density rental housing, retail, commercial, urban mixed-use, modern lofts, and upscale luxury penthouses in the Downtown San Diego market, as well as other markets of San Diego County. Each member of the team brings experience and expertise in the areas of: political strategy, project & construction management, strategic marketing management & community outreach, project feasibility, negotiations and finance.
The firm was founded by two industry leaders: Sherman D. Harmer and Michael Dunham. Both Sherm and Mike are long-time veterans of the home building and urban planning industries. They have over 60 years of combined development experience and have led the development of over 15,000 homes throughout Southern California. UHP’s leadership maintains the momentum of the development process beginning with conceptual stages; to project feasibility and financing; through project development & construction management; and into the marketing phases of the final product.” ** (see sources below)
“Closed since 1985, Pernicano’s was once the most popular location in a family chain of pizzerias. Adjacent sat Casa di Baffi (Italian for “House of the Moustache”) that George Pernicano (part owner of the San Diego Chargers) also operated from 1946-1985. Such a hot spot it was for movie stars, famous athletes and special events! But the once busy Fifth Avenue entrance is now a haven for panhandlers and a canvas for graffiti. Many residents consider these deserted restaurants the neighborhood’s biggest embarrassment.” *** (see sources below)
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Sources Key:
*Uptown News:
**Urban Housing Partners:
***HillQuest: