Work on the historic Botanical Building in Balboa Park is expanding! Crews are setting up fencing along walkways to the southwest of the building, between the San Diego Museum of Art and The Timken Museum of Art. This will allow the contractor to set up underground utilities necessary for the building's renovation. Staff expects this portion of the project to be complete by the end of 2022.

This $21 million project, which includes $8 million in state grants, will restore and revitalize the Botanical Building, which is expected to reopen in December 2023.

The Balboa Park Botanical Building was built in 1915 as part of the Panama-California Exposition and is one of only four structures that were designed to remain as permanent features in the park. Recognized as one of the largest wood lath structures in the world, the building was designed to showcase the importance of horticulture and is home to hundreds of plants including rare, tropical and indigenous fauna.