R.D. OLSON CONSTRUCTION COMPLETES $30M KETTNER CROSSING PROJECT 

Urban infill project adds 64 Affordable Homes for low-income seniors in San Diego 

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — R.D. Olson Construction, a leading general contractor with a vast portfolio of multifamily projects, completed Kettner Crossing, a $30M affordable housing complex in San Diego. The urban infill project will provide 64 units to seniors that earn between 30-60% of Area Median Income (AMI).  

The eight-story housing complex was built with four stories of structural Type I concrete podium and an additional upper four levels of Type V wood-frame construction. Kettner Crossing also includes a subterranean basement for parking, which was created through below-grade construction with the incorporation of 84 caissons for durable support.  

Generally, a mixture of construction types is not seen within one structure. However, with the 73,400-square-foot project’s location within Downtown San Diego, site constraints and design program allowed for a robust construction plan that enhances structural strength, fire/life safety, affordability and efficiency.  

Located at 1590 Kettner Blvd., the project was constructed in a tight zero lot line as the adjacent parking structure is located only 20 inches away. This allowed R.D. Olson to implement methodical processes to build the project without surrounding land available. The construction firm used a tower crane to move materials vertically and followed tight site logistics to carefully plan each delivery and construction sequence to avoid conflict as the adjacent garage was in use. 

R.D. Olson leveraged a strong partnership with the County of San Diego in building Kettner Crossing, while ensuring the adjacent garage was able to run safely throughout the time the development was rising. Weekly meetings were held with the county as the firm created a new entrance for the parking structure, which was built as a tunnel that runs above the garage and below the housing units, allowing vehicles to continue to access the structure from Kettner Blvd.  

“Kettner Crossing was a unique opportunity to show how urban infill projects can transform lives,” said Bill Wilhelm, president of R.D. Olson Construction. “As affordable housing is in significant demand in the San Diego region, Kettner Crossing will provide durable housing that will support tenants for decades to come.”  

The project will provide a range of floorplans including six studio units, 55 1-bedroom, and three 2-bedroom apartments. 2,200 square feet of the project can also be leased for commercial office space. Amenities on Kettner Crossing consist of a rooftop overlooking the North San Diego Bay, an open-air turf space, a communal room and library.  

The project took two years to complete. Notable partners aside from the County of San Diego include Bridge Housing (developer), JLL (construction manager), and Fusco (civil engineer). 

R.D. Olson Construction continues to expand rapidly in the San Diego market. The firm will be completing construction of the Element Mission Valley hotel in January, with additional projects in development.  

About R.D. Olson Construction   

Founded by Bob Olson in 1979 and led by President Bill Wilhelm, R.D. Olson Constructioncommemorates 46 years of building and is one of the top 40 general contracting firms in California. R.D. Olson Construction is a premier builder of hotel and multi-unit properties for several national hoteliers and developers, including Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Ritz Carlton, MBK Living, Related Properties and Meta Housing, and has a robust portfolio of renovation projects including Atria Senior Housing, Chapman University’s Reeves Hall, the conversion of the historic Bank of Italy Building into the Nomad Hotel and more. The firm also has a rich history as a builder of office, retail, restaurant, education, senior living and recreational projects. Learn more at www.rdolson.com.