After nearly 40 years on Upas Street near Balboa Park, the San Diego Blood Bank's main donor center will re-open today in a new location east of downtown San Diego.
Over the next week, the Blood Bank's administrative offices, labs, blood storage and hospital delivery services will move into the more spacious facility at 3636 Gateway Center Ave. in the Mt. Hope neighborhood.
When the Upas Street headquarters opened in 1972, the bank had one bloodmobile and collected less than 50,000 pints of blood per year. Those totals have since increased to 13 bloodmobiles and more than 120,000 donations annually, according to the bank.
The new spot is near Interstate 15 and Market Street. A grand opening celebration is scheduled for next month.
The Upas Street location closed its doors last Saturday.
