San Diego's $3.5 Billion Measure HH Construction Boom Starts August 24, 2026: How Pacific Beach Contractors Can Bid on College Projects Through 2028

Major Projects Breakdown: Where the Work Is

Measure HH encompasses more than a dozen construction projects across three campuses within Pacific Beach Builder's service radius. Here's what contractors need to know about the largest opportunities:

City College Projects (Downtown San Diego, 10 Miles from Pacific Beach)

Educational Cultural Complex Theatre Renovation - $65 Million

The historic Educational Cultural Complex (ECC) Theatre Renovation is the first construction project launched under Measure HH and has already reached 50 percent completion as of June 2026. The $65 million renovation is restoring and modernizing the landmark 275-seat theatre, encompassing approximately 27,000 square feet including 3,200 square feet of new construction.

Trade opportunities include specialized theatrical systems (rigging, lighting, acoustics), HVAC for performance spaces, electrical for modern sound and lighting controls, and accessibility upgrades for entries, foyer areas, and seating. Funded through a $35 million state grant and Measure HH supplementation, the project is expected to be completed in spring 2027.

Affordable Student Housing Community - 797 Beds

The San Diego City College Affordable Student Housing project is a public-private partnership between SDCCD and The Michaels Organization, constructing a new seven-story residential complex with more than 280 units (797 beds) at 1601 B Street. The housing community is scheduled to open in fall 2028.

Construction, led by the Clark Building Group, includes studio, two-bedroom, four-bedroom apartments, and four-bedroom suite-style units. Ground-level amenities feature a leasing lobby, conference room, yoga/fitness room, package and delivery room, food pantry, pet wash station, resident and bike storage (including e-bikes), community kitchen, vending lounge, and shared laundry facilities.

Trade opportunities include multi-family electrical systems, plumbing for 797-bed residential occupancy, HVAC for seven-story mixed-use building, fire suppression systems, structural concrete, waterproofing, and commercial kitchen installations.

Additional City College Projects

The "A" Building Expansion Project (Gensler/Rudolph & Sletten design-build team) and Saville Theatre Replacement Project (RNT Architects/Sundt Construction) will replace Saville Theatre with a new 20,000-square-foot facility and replace the 32,400 square-foot Building D with a new building double its size.

Mesa College Projects (Clairemont Mesa, 5 Miles from Pacific Beach)

Athletics Complex and Aquatics Center

Mesa College is undergoing a dramatic overhaul of its athletic facilities with a new Aquatics Center to replace its 50-year-old pool. The expanded Aquatics Center will support lifeguard and water safety training, with the project also including a new Throw Park/practice field, improved pedestrian connections across campus, new site utilities, landscaping, accessible pathways and parking, curb and gutter improvements, and signage.

Trade opportunities include specialized aquatics plumbing (pool filtration, chemical systems, competition timing), commercial pool construction, athletic field grading and drainage, site utilities infrastructure, and sports facility electrical systems.

Performing Arts Center, Administration & Parking Structure

The Sports & Kinesiology Science facilities will be transformed into a 70,000 square-foot complex (LPA Design Studios/C.W. Driver design-build team), and a new Performing Arts and administration building with parking structure will be built (HGA Architects/PCL Construction design-build team).

Trade opportunities include structural steel for parking structures, concrete construction, performing arts acoustical systems, HVAC for large assembly spaces, theatrical electrical and lighting, and parking structure waterproofing and coatings.

Miramar College Projects (Mira Mesa, 12 Miles from Pacific Beach)

Montgomery Field Aviation Instructional Center

Miramar College is constructing a modernized aviation training center, replacing an existing 6,300 square-foot hangar with a new approximately 18,000 square-foot Aviation Instructional Center (AIC) hangar and supporting facilities. The new facility would be two stories, with Level 1 including a lobby, maintenance/hangar bay, two classrooms, offices, and utility spaces, while Level 2 would include a classroom, four pilot debrief rooms, air traffic control tower and en route training facilities, a conference room, and break room.

Trade opportunities include specialized aviation facility electrical (hangar power, aircraft maintenance systems), large-span structural framing, aircraft hangar HVAC requirements, specialized flooring for maintenance bays, and communications infrastructure for air traffic control simulation.

Additional Miramar College Projects

The Performing Arts Center & English/Gallery Building (Miller Hull/BNBuilders design-build team) and Early Education Center (CSCA/Harper Construction) will add 64,000 square feet of performing arts space and an 8,000 square-foot early education facility.

How to Bid on Measure HH Projects: SDCCD Procurement Requirements

San Diego Community College District construction procurement differs significantly from private sector bidding. Understanding these requirements is essential for contractors seeking Measure HH work.

Contractor Prequalification (Complete Within 2 Weeks)

Contractor pre-qualification is a requirement for many prime contractors and subcontractors intending to bid or submit a proposal for SDCCD construction projects. Prequalification applications must be submitted 10 business days prior to a project's solicitation due date. Prequalifications are effective for one year from approval unless otherwise noted, and require annual renewal.

Applicants must pass all three modules to achieve prequalification. A score of fewer than 100 points disqualifies you from bidding projects proposed by the San Diego Community College District electing to use this prequalification process as a condition of bidding.

Action Required: Download the FY2025-26 Prequalification Application and submit within 2 weeks to qualify for first-wave project bids.

PlanetBids Vendor Registration

All of SDCCD's publicly bid opportunities are released via PlanetBids. To participate in bidding opportunities, contractors should:

• Register as a vendor and include all applicable NAICS codes in their profile to receive notifications when relevant bidding or RFP/Q opportunities are posted
• Renewal is required annually
• A licensed contractor registering as a vendor must also be registered as a public works contractor with the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR)

Bonding Requirements

California requires contractors to secure bid, performance, and payment bonds for public works projects exceeding $25,000. These bonds ensure compliance with state laws, protect public funds, and safeguard subcontractors and suppliers.

Performance Bonds: California requires a performance bond equal to 100% of the contract price on every public works contract. Performance bonds guarantee that the contractor will complete the project according to the contract.

Payment Bonds: Payment bonds guarantee that subcontractors and material suppliers will be paid. Each bond is typically equal to at least half the contract price.

Bid Bonds: Public agencies typically require bid security equal to 10% of the bid amount.

For California public works, the surety must be admitted in California and authorized to transact surety business by the California Department of Insurance. Most public agencies require the surety to carry a minimum AM Best rating of A- or better.

Prevailing Wage Compliance

Prevailing wages must be paid to all workers employed on public works projects of $1,000 or higher. Projects costing $220,000 or more require formal bidding processes.

As of January 1, 2026, AB 889 significantly impacted California's Prevailing Wage law. California public works employers are now required to annualize employees' fringe benefits and maintain specific documentation demonstrating statutory compliance.

Prevailing wage rates are determined by the California Department of Industrial Relations for San Diego County (SDI-2026-1 General Prevailing Wage Determination). Contractors must maintain certified payroll records and submit regular compliance documentation.

Community Benefits Agreement Requirements

The San Diego Community College District Board of Trustees unanimously approved a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) that applies to all construction contracts valued at $1,000,000 or more. Key requirements include:

Local Hiring Preferences: Contractors shall prioritize hiring residents of qualifying ZIP codes designated in the CBA and veterans residing anywhere within San Diego County. The agreement requires that 80% of craft hours be performed by residents of San Diego County, dependents of active-duty military, or current and former SDCCD students, including former foster youth and those formerly incarcerated.

Required Documentation: Bidders must submit all required plans and documentation, including the Local Hiring and Workforce Development Plan, Apprentice Program Participation Plan, and Compliance Reporting Plan.

This creates a competitive advantage for Pacific Beach contractors already employing San Diego County residents versus out-of-area firms unfamiliar with the local labor market.

San Diego Trade-by-Trade Opportunity Analysis for Pacific Beach Contractors

Measure HH projects require virtually every construction trade, with specialized opportunities unique to institutional construction:

Electrical Contractors

• Campus power distribution systems and infrastructure upgrades
• Specialized theatrical lighting and controls (ECC Theatre, performing arts centers)
• Multi-family electrical systems (797-bed student housing)
• Aviation facility electrical including hangar power
• Emergency generators and backup power systems
• Laboratory and specialized instructional electrical
• Fire alarm and life safety systems

Plumbing Contractors

• Water distribution for multi-story residential occupancy (797 beds)
• Specialized aquatics plumbing including pool filtration, chemical systems, and competition timing
• Fire suppression systems for high-rise residential and institutional buildings
• Laboratory services and specialized instructional plumbing
• Commercial kitchen and food service plumbing
• Storm drainage and site utilities

HVAC Contractors

• Large assembly space climate control (theatres, performing arts centers)
• Multi-family HVAC for seven-story residential buildings
• Specialized aviation facility requirements including hangar ventilation
• Laboratory and instructional space HVAC
• Aquatics center dehumidification and air quality control
• Energy-efficient systems meeting California Title 24 requirements

General Contractors and Construction Managers

• Prime contractor roles on design-build teams
• Construction management and coordination for phased construction on active campuses
• Subcontractor oversight and scheduling coordination
• Quality control and compliance management
• Community relations and campus coordination during active semester construction

Concrete Contractors

• Structural concrete for multi-story buildings including seven-story student housing
• Parking structure construction
• Foundations for institutional buildings
• Site improvements including accessible pathways and plaza areas
• Aquatics center pool construction and deck systems

Specialized Trades

• Theatre rigging and acoustics: Theatrical systems installation for ECC Theatre and performing arts centers
• Aquatics facilities: Pool construction, filtration, timing systems, and specialized finishes
• Aviation hangar systems: Large-span framing, specialized doors, aircraft maintenance equipment
• Roofing contractors: Large-scale commercial roofing and waterproofing for institutional buildings
• Steel fabricators: Structural steel for parking structures and building frames
• Landscaping: Campus beautification, sustainable landscaping, irrigation systems

Why Measure HH Benefits Pacific Beach Contractors

Public college construction offers distinct advantages compared to private sector work:

Payment Reliability

Voter-approved bond funding backed by property tax revenue provides exceptional payment security. Unlike private developers who may face cash flow challenges or construction lending complications, public agencies pay invoices according to established schedules with minimal payment risk.

Multi-Year Predictable Pipeline

Measure HH projects will continue through 2028 and beyond, with all improvements projected to be completed within 10 to 15 years, with 60% of the budget spent by 2030. This creates sustained work opportunities that reduce boom/bust volatility inherent in private residential construction.

Local Hiring Preferences Favor San Diego Contractors

The Community Benefits Agreement requiring 80% of craft hours be performed by San Diego County residents creates a structural advantage for Pacific Beach contractors versus out-of-area firms. Local contractors can hire from established San Diego County labor pools without relocation costs or workforce mobilization challenges.

Proximity Advantage

All three campuses—City College (10 miles), Mesa College (5 miles), and Miramar College (12 miles)—fall within Pacific Beach Builder's standard service radius. This proximity reduces mobilization costs, allows efficient project management across multiple job sites, and enables faster response times for change orders or schedule adjustments.

Strategic Location for Pacific Beach and La Jolla Contractors

For contractors serving Pacific Beach's coastal corridor—from Tourmaline Surfing Park through Mission Beach to Bird Rock and La Jolla—all three college campuses fall within a 5-15 mile service radius. Mesa College in Clairemont Mesa sits just 5 miles inland from Pacific Beach via Balboa Avenue, making it accessible in under 10 minutes from Garnet Avenue. City College downtown is 10 miles south of Pacific Beach and 12 miles from La Jolla, easily accessible via I-5. Miramar College in Mira Mesa is 12 miles northeast, reachable in 20 minutes from most coastal communities.

This geographic positioning allows coastal contractors based in the 92109 (Pacific Beach/Mission Beach), 92037 (La Jolla/Bird Rock), and 92110 (Bay Park) ZIP codes—all qualifying areas under the Community Benefits Agreement—to efficiently manage multiple Measure HH projects without the extensive mobilization costs that burden contractors from outlying Riverside or Orange County markets. For Mission Beach contractors, the proximity advantage is even more pronounced, with equidistant access to Mesa and City College campuses.

Pacific Beach Central Location Advantages

Contractors headquartered near Pacific Beach's Garnet Avenue commercial district or operating from the industrial corridor near Morena Boulevard occupy an ideal central position for servicing all three campuses. Mesa College is accessible in under 10 minutes via Balboa Avenue, while City College downtown requires just 15 minutes via I-5 from La Jolla or Pacific Beach. Mission Beach-based contractors benefit from similar proximity, with both Mesa College (7 miles) and City College (8 miles) within easy reach.

This central positioning within San Diego's coastal communities creates measurable competitive advantages for bid pricing. Mobilization costs—which can represent 3-7% of project budgets for contractors traveling from distant markets—remain minimal for Pacific Beach, La Jolla, and Mission Beach contractors. Travel time for change orders, site meetings, and punch list work averages under 20 minutes to any campus, enabling faster response times and more efficient project management than contractors based in East County, South Bay, or North County Inland markets.

Workforce Development and Apprenticeship Opportunities

Measure HH projects require Apprentice Program Participation Plans, creating opportunities for contractors to develop skilled workers while meeting CBA requirements. Apprentices trained on complex institutional projects gain valuable experience transferable to future public and private work.

Reference Value for Future Public Sector Work

Successfully completing Measure HH projects demonstrates public sector capability, positioning contractors for future bond programs, K-12 school construction (hospital seismic compliance deadline work), and other institutional projects requiring public works experience.

San Diego Labor Market Implications: Sustained Demand Through 2028

Measure HH contributes to broader construction labor demand trends creating favorable conditions for San Diego contractors and skilled trades.

San Diego will require 12,000 additional construction workers through 2029 to meet current housing and infrastructure demand, while the region's $160 billion transportation plan will demand 25,000 workers between 2025-2030. San Diego needs 108,000 housing units built between 2025-2029 to meet regional housing demands, requiring approximately 12,000 workers annually—a 22% increase above current construction workforce levels.

The region faces 68% of contractors cite skilled worker shortages as their top concern in 2026, with a 12% vacancy rate (versus the healthy 7-8% benchmark). Licensed and highly skilled trades face the most severe shortages across San Diego County's beachfront communities, with electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians especially scarce.

San Diego construction wages are forecasted to increase 3.8% in 2025 and 4.1% in 2026, with the 2026 rate potentially exceeding Los Angeles's projected 3.9% growth. Prevailing wage requirements on Measure HH projects ensure competitive worker compensation, helping contractors attract and retain skilled trades in a tight labor market.

For contractors, sustained public sector work helps retain skilled workforce year-round, reducing layoffs during private sector slowdowns and maintaining team continuity for complex projects.

Actionable Steps: Position Your Business for Measure HH Now

Contractors interested in Measure HH work should take immediate action:

Step 1: Prequalify with SDCCD (Complete Within 2 Weeks)

Download and submit the FY2025-26 Prequalification Application within 10 business days prior to project solicitation due dates. Applications are effective for one year and require annual renewal.

Step 2: Register as Public Works Contractor with DIR

Ensure active registration with the California Department of Industrial Relations as a public works contractor. Verify contractor license is current and in good standing.

Step 3: Secure Bonding Capacity

Contact your surety to verify bonding capacity for projects ranging from $500,000 to $65 million. Discuss performance bond (100% of contract price) and payment bond (at least 50% of contract price) requirements. Ensure surety is admitted in California with minimum AM Best rating of A-.

Step 4: Register on PlanetBids Vendor Portal

Register as a vendor on PlanetBids and include all applicable NAICS codes in your profile to receive notifications when relevant bidding or RFP/Q opportunities are posted. Renewal is required annually.

Step 5: Establish Prevailing Wage Compliance Systems

Implement certified payroll procedures, fringe benefit documentation (per AB 889 requirements effective January 1, 2026), and compliance reporting systems. Consider prevailing wage software or consultants if unfamiliar with DIR compliance requirements.

Step 6: Develop Community Benefits Agreement Compliance Plan

Prepare Local Hiring and Workforce Development Plan demonstrating ability to hire San Diego County residents, veterans, and former SDCCD students. Develop Apprentice Program Participation Plan showing commitment to workforce development. Create Compliance Reporting Plan documenting CBA adherence.

Step 7: Determine Prime vs Subcontracting Strategy

For smaller firms without bonding capacity for $10+ million projects, identify prime contractors on awarded design-build teams (Rudolph & Sletten, Sundt Construction, PCL Construction, C.W. Driver, BNBuilders, Harper Construction, Flint Design Build) and pursue subcontracting opportunities.

For larger firms with bonding capacity, consider teaming agreements or joint ventures for prime contractor roles on future Measure HH projects not yet awarded.

Step 8: Monitor Upcoming Bid Opportunities

Check the SDCCD Bid & RFP Opportunities page weekly for new project solicitations. Attend pre-bid conferences for upcoming Measure HH projects to understand scope, schedule, and requirements.

Integration with San Diego Construction Market Trends

Measure HH complements broader construction market dynamics creating favorable conditions for diversified contractors:

Public Sector Growth Offsets Private Sector Volatility

While residential construction faces headwinds from elevated mortgage rates and housing affordability challenges, public sector construction provides counter-cyclical stability. San Diego's construction market is forecasted for 8% annual growth through 2029, driven primarily by healthcare construction (hospital seismic compliance deadline) and institutional projects like Measure HH.

Healthcare + Education Create Sustained Institutional Demand

Combining Measure HH college work with hospital seismic retrofit projects (2030 deadline) creates multi-year institutional construction pipeline through the end of the decade. Contractors developing public sector expertise can pursue both education and healthcare opportunities.

Labor Cost Advantages vs Los Angeles

San Diego construction labor costs are 12-18% lower than Los Angeles for most trades, creating competitive advantages for San Diego-based contractors bidding regional public works projects. Combined with Community Benefits Agreement local hiring requirements, Pacific Beach contractors can leverage cost and proximity advantages.

Prefabrication and Modular Opportunities

The 797-bed student housing project may utilize modular construction methods common in multi-family residential projects, creating opportunities for contractors with prefabrication experience or partnerships with modular manufacturers.

Zero Office Construction Creates Available Capacity

With office construction essentially halted in San Diego, commercial construction contractors have available capacity to pursue institutional projects like Measure HH. This timing advantage allows experienced commercial contractors to pivot to public sector work without workforce mobilization challenges.

Conclusion: Act Now to Capture Measure HH Opportunities

With construction launching August 24, 2026, and more than a dozen projects totaling over $1.3 billion entering active phases, Pacific Beach contractors have a narrow window to prequalify and position their businesses for sustained public sector work through 2028.

The combination of voter-approved funding, local hiring preferences, proximity to all three campuses, and multi-year project pipelines makes Measure HH an exceptional business development opportunity for contractors seeking to diversify revenue streams and reduce private sector volatility.

Contractors should prioritize SDCCD prequalification within the next 2 weeks, secure bonding capacity, register on PlanetBids, and develop Community Benefits Agreement compliance plans to participate in first-wave project bids.

For contractors unfamiliar with public sector procurement, consider partnering with experienced public works firms as subcontractors to gain experience while building relationships with design-build teams already awarded Measure HH projects.

The $3.5 billion Measure HH program represents the largest public college construction investment in San Diego history, creating generational opportunities for contractors, skilled trades, and specialized subcontractors throughout San Diego County. Those who act quickly to meet prequalification requirements will be positioned to capture substantial work throughout the rest of the decade.