The proposed project would consist of the installation of temporary signage during Comic-Con International: San Diego (Comic-Con) by Hilton San Diego Bayfront (Applicant) in the city of San Diego, California. Comic-Con is a national event centered at the San Diego Convention Center (Convention Center), which also includes activities throughout Tidelands and the City of San Diego, activating the region with a one-of-a-kind event and bringing hundreds of additional visitors to the area. Events and displays are held, without limitation, at the park adjacent to the Hilton San Diego Bayfront and Convention Center, the Gaslamp Quarter, and many of the surrounding hotels. The Applicant has historically erected temporary signage during Comic-Con.
The proposed signage would be displayed solely during Comic-Con, for a total period of no more than one-month, with the option to change sign content up to one time during the one-month display period. No signage would be directed west towards the Bay and no illumination of the signage would occur. It is anticipated that the displays on the signage would include products sold and events held at Comic-Con or by the sponsors of the event. In this sense, the signage may be considered onsite signage as it would be advertising goods or services available at Comic-Con or by one of its sponsors.
The proposed signage would be placed on the north outer wall surface of the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel tower, facing towards the Convention Center, measuring approximately 44,744 square feet (238 feet wide by 188 feet high), approximately 70-feet high from the bottom of the sign to street level.
The following items are prohibited pursuant to the Districts standard approval and agreement for signage during Comic-Con and are not proposed as part of the project: (a) light shows; (b) electrical improvements to the signage, walls, or premises; and/or (c) illumination, including but not limited to, electronic, digital, or similarly illuminated components, of the signage, premises, or walls.
The signage features, the temporary nature of the signage, the corresponding high-volume activation of the events and the urban nature of the surrounding area (i.e. the Convention Center, Petco Park, and downtown San Diego) would ensure that the signage would not create visual or aesthetic impacts.
The following items are prohibited pursuant to the District's standard approval and agreement for signage during Comic-Con and are not proposed as part of the project (a) light shows: (b) electrical improvements to the signage, walls, or premises; and/or (c) illumination, including but not limited to, electronic, digital, or similarly illuminated components, of the signage, premises, or walls.
All works related to the proposed temporary signage, including installation, display, and removal, can only occur in the month of July 2026, closely corresponding with the duration of the Comic-Con event. The signage must be taken down and the facility returned to the same condition as it was prior to the installation of the signage no later than July 31, 2026. In no event would the signage be installed before and removed after the month of July. Both installation and removal would require the use of a boom lift.
Due to its nature and limited scope, the installation of the proposed temporary signage would generate a minor amount of vehicle trips and would require limited use of equipment. Therefore, impacts related to air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, transportation and traffic are not anticipated to occur. Furthermore, the Applicant would be responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding construction demolition debris, hazards and hazardous materials, and stormwater.
