BALBOA PARK
It is impossible to overstate the importance of Balboa Park to District 3, our City and our region. It is an economic, cultural, ecological and spiritual engine for San Diego and has rightfully been referred to as the soul of our city.
As a native San Diegan, I recall enjoying Balboa Park’s many attractions as I grew up. From visiting the Zoo to attending a performance at the Old Globe, the park played a major role in my life as it has in the life of every San Diegan. Sadly, Balboa Park is approaching its 100th birthday facing huge challenges including hundreds of millions of dollars in deferred maintenance, ongoing concerns about parking and traffic, governance issues, and a growing homeless population. With even larger problems facing our City as a whole, it has been difficult to address the needs of our civic crown jewel.
I understand that the District 3 Councilmember must be a champion for Balboa Park. As your Councilmember I would:
Implement Governance Reforms. Park governance reforms are essential if Balboa Park is to succeed in its second century. Ultimately, park management must provide a means to enlist the financial support of the public, private and philanthropic communities to help address the $238 million backlog of deferred maintenance. I will work with the Balboa Park Committee, city staff, park institutions and the public to find the best solution and implement it. This process must be open and transparent and must make certain that Balboa Park remains a public park and not a for profit experiment.
Leverage the Centennial Celebration to Renew the Park. The next Councilmember will preside over the centennial celebration of the 1915 Panama Exposition that created Balboa Park. This milestone must be marked by more than a birthday cake and some speeches. I will leverage the centennial to engage the region in a discussion about Balboa Park’s needs and how we can best address them.
Support Ongoing Park Investment and Historic Preservation. I applaud the work of the many Balboa Park tenants and other private organizations that have contributed practically all of the improvements that we have seen in recent years in the park. From the replacement of Alcazar Garden tiles to new zoo exhibits, private and nonprofit groups have given the citizens of San Diego many new gifts to enjoy. I am committed to supporting continued investment in Balboa Park, particularly for projects that focus on historic preservation.
Reclaim Park Land for Public Enjoyment. Overtime, portions of Balboa Park have been consumed by non-recreational uses. I support reclaiming the 20th & B Street site, currently used as a city maintenance yard, for the recreation needs of the Golden Hill and Downtown communities. I would like to see Plaza de Panama turned into a world-class public square and a plan in place to restore the Arizona landfill site.
Increase Transit Access and Go Green. The long term needs of Balboa Park require that more park visitors enter the park by public transit. I would work with transit officials to increase transit service to and in Balboa Park. I would also like to expand the park’s contribution to our region’s ecology by reducing its carbon footprint and going green.
Balboa Park was a gift given to us by a previous generation of San Diegans who had the foresight and leadership to set aside 1,200 acres in the heart of the city for the public’s enjoyment. What will future generations of San Diegans say about our contribution at this critical time in the park’s history? I know that with renewed dedication and focus that the enormous challenges facing Balboa Park cannot just be addressed, they can be solved. If we act soon, we can make the improvements we need in time for Balboa Park’s centennial and ensure the park’s greatness for another century.