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The Plaza de Panama project will transform the core of Balboa Park into a grand public space for San Diego. By removing cars from the heart of the park, the Plaza de Panama, Plaza de California, West El Prado and Esplanade will be restored to their historic use as pedestrian park spaces. The new Centennial Bridge and Road will provide an alternate route for vehicles that avoids pedestrian areas and leads to a new underground parking structure topped by a 2-acre park. The project will create 6.3 acres of new parks, plazas and promenades out of what are now roads and parking lots. The Plaza de Panama project is scheduled to be complete in time for the 2015 Centennial Celebration, and will provide spectacular venues for this yearlong celebration in Balboa Park. See inside to explore the Plaza de Panama project. . . |
View the Plaza de Panama Project e-book with before & after images |
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Plaza de Panama Project Video (Long) | Centennial Bridge Views | Central Mesa Aerial Views |
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| Project Plan | Time Lapse Videos |
Updates
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Plaza de Panama Project Public Hearing Dates
Throughout the next few months, votes will be taken on the Plaza de Panama Project at several City meetings. A strong showing of public support will help us gain a supportive vote on the project, so please join us at the following meetings to speak in support:
· May 3, 6 pm:Balboa Park Committee at Balboa Park Club (2144 Pan American Road West)
· May 17, 2 pm: Park & Recreation Board at 202 C Street in the 12th Floor Committee Room
· May 18, 1 pm: Historical Resources Board at 202 C Street in the 12th Floor Committee Room
· June 7, 9 am: Planning Commission at 202 C Street in the 12th Floor Council Chambers
· July 9, 2 pm: City Council at 202 C Street in the 12th Floor Council Chambers
Walking Tour Scheduled for Saturday, May 19
Our next walking tour will take place on Saturday, May 19 at 10:30 a.m. The tour provides a great opportunity to learn about the project firsthand and speak with project outreach team members about new updates. The tour will begin in the Plaza de California (in front of the Museum of Man) and will last around 90 minutes. Please note that in the event of rain, the tour will be cancelled.
Plaza de Panama Participates on EarthFair
Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth at Balboa Park’s EarthFair, the world’s largest annual environmental fair and Earth Day celebration. The project outreach team had a nice time sharing project information and was thrilled to receive support from several of the event attendees.
Bilingual March Walking Tour
We are excited to announce our March walking tour will be translated into Spanish for the Hispanic community. The tour will take place on Saturday, March 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
During the tour, a member of the Plaza de Panama design team and a translator will provide detailed information on the project’s proposed plans and design renderings. The tour will start at the Plaza de California (in front of the Museum of Man) and end at the Organ Pavilion parking lot. We recommend wearing comfortable, flat shoes to tour the park.
Draft EIR Update
The Project’s Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was released in January 2012 for a 60-day public comment period. The Draft EIR, an important milestone in the project approval process, provides a comprehensive review of potential environmental impacts of the proposed project, as well as 13 alternatives to the proposed project. The 13 Project alternatives included in the study were largely generated from public input. The level of detailed information and analysis included in the document is believed to be unprecedented in an EIR in the City of San Diego.
We strongly encourage the public and those passionate about the future of Balboa Park to review and provide written comments on the document. The deadline for submitting comments is 5:00 pm on March 22, 2012. The document is available online on the City’s website and on our website’s Information & Documents page. Comments may also be submitted in writing to the City via U.S. mail and email to:
E. Shearer-Nguyen, Environmental Planner
City of San Diego Development Services Center
1222 First Avenue, MS 501
San Diego, CA 92101
DSDEAS@sandiego.gov
The Final EIR will include public comments submitted to the City and responses to these comments. An update on the Final EIR release date will be posted in the near future.
New Project Supporters
Over the past few months, the project team has done a considerable amount of public outreach, participating in several meetings and workshops with community and business organizations. This outreach has led to numerous endorsements from key organizations with a vested interest in Balboa Park. We are excited to share the following list of organizations/individuals that have recently expressed their support:
- Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom
- Uptown Planners
- Gaslamp Quarter Association
- Centre City Advisory Committee
- Spreckels Organ Society
- Plaza de Panama Project Team at 2011 MCAS Miramar Air Show
The Plaza de Panama project team had a wonderful time exhibiting at the MCAS Miramar Air Show September 30 to October 2. The team hosted a booth inside the Air Show expo, displaying new project banners and a presentation with project design renderings. Over the three day period, the team interacted with hundreds of attendees and received great feedback and comments on the project.
- Oct. 15 Walking Tour
Our second walking tour kicks off tomorrow, October 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The tour will start at the Plaza de California (in front of the Museum of Man) and end at the Organ Pavilion parking lot. These guided tours, held the third Saturday of every month, are led by members of the design team and provide the ideal opportunity for the public to learn more about the project. We hope to see you there!
- Plaza de Panama Design Team Continuing to Make Great Headway
The design team is continuing to work on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the project. This review process will ensure a thorough analysis of the project as well as evaluates alternatives plan suggested by the public. The report is anticipated to be released for public review in January 2012.
- Plaza de Panama Project Team Weekend Recap
The Plaza de Panama project team had a wonderful time interacting with the San Diego community this past weekend. On Saturday morning, the team kicked off its first public walking tour in Balboa Park which attracted more than 25 individuals. The event provided the perfect opportunity for the public to learn more about the project in a fun and engaging manner. Also on Saturday, the team hosted a booth at Voice of San Diego’s and NBC 7 San Diego’s first-ever Politifest. The festival brought out more than 1,000 attendees, with event-goers providing the team with great feedback and comments on the project.
- Upcoming Community Events
If you missed the walking tour this past weekend and are interested in learning more about the project and its benefits to Balboa Park, the team will be facilitating tours the third Saturday of every month from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (next tour is Saturday, October 15). The tours will start at the Plaza de California (in front of the Museum of Man) and end at the Organ Pavilion parking lot. In addition, the project team will also be hosting a booth at the upcoming MCAS Miramar Air Show September 30 to October 2.
- Uptown Planners Supports Plaza de Panama Project
Thank you Uptown Community Planning Group for voting in favor of the Plaza de Panama Project at this week's meeting! We are thrilled to have support from the group’s several communities including Hillcrest, Mission Hills, University Heights, Bankers Hill/Park West, Five Points/Middletown and Marston Hills.
- City Council Approves Plaza de Panama MOU
On July 19 the City Council voted 7-1 to approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Plaza de Panama project. With the Council’s instrumental support, the Plaza de Panama Committee has been able to move forward with the environmental review process to improve Balboa Park. The environmental review ensures a thorough study of the project as well as evaluates alternatives plans suggested by members of the public.
- Plaza de Panama Design Team Making Great Headway
The design team is currently working on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the project. The report is anticipated to be released for public review in November 2012.
- Public Outreach
The Plaza de Panama Design Team has been hosting several workshops with interested groups throughout San Diego County, including the Balboa Park Committee, Park & Recreation Design Review Committee and Park & Recreation Board. The workshops have proven to be very productive, with each group sharing valuable insight with the Design Team.
- Plaza de Panama Joins Twitter Community
Follow Plaza de Panama on Twitter to get the latest updates on the projects as it happens. Click here to check out the profile.
Environmental Impact Report
From March 23 through April 22, the City of San Diego led public scoping for the Plaza de Panama Project. The scoping period allowed the public to provide input on project alternatives that will be included for study in the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The City held a scoping meeting on April 14th in the Balboa Park Ballroom to solicit public input regarding the scope and alternatives of the proposed EIR.
Now that the scoping process has been completed, the City is evaluating which project alternatives will be studied further in the EIR. The Draft EIR is anticipated to be released for public review and comment in late summer 2011.
Public Outreach
The Plaza de Panama project team has been making informational presentations about the project to interested groups all over San Diego. These groups have included the League of Women Voters, the Catfish Club, the East Village Association, the San Diego Downtown Partnership and the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.
Most recently, at the League of Women Voters’ forum, project team members participated in a panel titled “Balboa Park: The Next Four Years”. The event was well-attended, and there was a discussion about the Plaza de Panama project, the Balboa Park Conservancy and other issues relevant to the park.
If you would like the project team to make an informational presentation to your group about the Plaza de Panama project, please send an email to info@plazadepanama.org . Please include your name, contact information, and the name of the organization requesting the presentation. For upcoming presentations that are open to the public, please visit our Calendar page.
Information & Documents
Below you will find documents and presentations that provide more detailed information about the Plaza de Panama project and specific issues. This page will be updated regularly with new documents as they become available.
Project Information
- Balboa Park Planning History
- Project Summary and Historical Issues
City of San Diego Memos
- City Historical Resources Board Staff Report - May 4, 2012
- City Park & Recreation Department Staff Report - April 30, 2012
- City Memo re: Status of Eucalyptus Trees in Balboa Park's Archery Range
- City Memo re: Potential for National Register Delisting
Draft EIR Information
- Plaza de Panama Project Draft EIR F.A.Q.
- Plaza de Panama Project Draft Environmental Impact Report - Part 1 of 4
- Plaza de Panama Project Draft EIR - Part 2 of 4
- Plaza de Panama Project Draft EIR - Part 3 of 4
- Plaza de Panama Project Draft EIR - Part 4 of 4
- Extension of Public Review Notice
Letters
- Plaza de Panama Letter of Support From Lieutenant Governor Newsom
- Email from Wayne Donaldson, SHPO, re: Plaza de Panama Project
- Response to Letter from State Historic Preservation Officer
- National Park Service Letter
- Response to National Park Service Letter
Draft Plan Amendments
- Draft Amendment to Balboa Park Master Plan - March 8, 2012
- Draft Amendment to Central Mesa Precise Plan - March 8, 2012
- Draft Amendment to the Balboa Park Master Plan - November 22, 2011
- Draft Amendment to the Central Mesa Precise Plan - November 22, 2011
In the News
Media coverage related to the Plaza de Panama Project:
2012 Coverage
Complications Persist for Plaza de Panama Project (KPBS: May 17, 2012)
Plaza de Panama Supporters Say Opponents Using Scare Tactics (KPBS: May 15, 2012)
Plaza de Panama Plan Endorsed by Balboa Park Committee (UT San Diego: May 3, 2012)
Spanish Language TV Coverage (NBD: April 2012)
Plaza de Panama Project Forges Ahead (UrbDeZine San Diego: March 30, 2012)
Spanish Language TV Coverage (Univision: March 2012)
SD Explained: Plaza de Panama (NBC San Diego: March 22, 2012)
Get on with Balboa Park Makeover (San Diego-Union Tribune: January 26, 2012)
Balboa Park Environmental Report Offers 21 Choices to Jacobs Plan (San Diego Union-Tribune: January 23, 2012)
Plaza de Panama: Cars or People? (La Mesa Courier: January 6, 2012)
2011 Coverage
KFMB News Coverage of Video Press Conference (KFMB-TV: November 28, 2011)
KUSI News Coverage of Video Press Conference (KUSI-TV: November 29, 2011)
KSWB News Coverage of Video Press Conference (KSWB-TV: November 29, 2011)
Balboa Park Bridge Proposal Unveiled (NBC San Diego: November 29, 2011)
Backers of Balboa Park Traffic Plan Unveil Video (Fox 5 San Diego: November 28, 2011)
Video Shows New Plan for Balboa Park Traffic (San Diego Union-Tribune: November 28, 2011)
What Plaza de Panama Renovations Look Like (Voice of San Diego: November 28, 2011)
Jacobs Releases Video Promoting His Balboa Park Plan (KPBS: November 28, 2011)
KUSI Walking Tour Series Kick-off Coverage (KUSI News: September 7, 2011)
CW 6 Walking Tour Series Kick-off Coverage (XETV: September 7, 2011)
NBC 7 Walking Tour Series Kick-off Coverage (KNSD: September 7, 2011)
ABC 10 Walking Tour Series Kick-off Coverage (KGTV: September 7, 2011)
Bill Walton Takes a Walk in Balboa Park (Voice of San Diego: September 7, 2011)
Basketball Legend Joins Plaza de Panama Team (NBC San Diego: September 7, 2011)
Plaza de Panama Kicks Off Public Walking Tour Series (Yahoo! Finance: September 7, 2011)
Philanthropist-in-chief (San Diego Union-Tribune: August 25, 2011)
Should Balboa Park be Redone? Member Survey Results (Voice of San Diego: August 11, 2011)
Balboa Park In Transition — Keep It Moving (San Diego Source: August 4, 2011)
Group Sues City Of San Diego Over Plaza De Panama Project (KPBS: August 3, 2011)
In Balboa Park Legal Fight, Both Sides Use the Same Case (Voice of San Diego: August 3, 2011)
Lawsuit Slows Balboa Park Renovations (NBC San Diego: August 3, 2011)
Preservationists Sue City Over Balboa Park Plan (San Diego Union-Tribune: August 2, 2011)
What Mayoral Candidates Say About Balboa Park Makeover (Voice of San Diego: August 2, 2011)
Saving the Heritage of Balboa Park (San Diego Union-Tribune: July 18, 2011)
Balboa Park's Contested Parking Plan: A View from the Ground (Voice of San Diego: July 17, 2011)
Moving Forward in Forefather's Footsteps (San Diego Union-Tribune: July 16, 2011)
Needed: a diplomat for Balboa Park (San Diego Union-Tribune: May 22, 2011)
Will 2015 expo make Balboa Park a 5-star attraction? (San Diego Union-Tribune: May 21, 2011)
A view of the bridge (San Diego CityBeat: May 17, 2011)
On Balboa Park (part 2) (Two Cathedrals: May 17, 2011)
On Balboa Park (part 1) (Two Cathedrals: May 16, 2011)
Letter to the Editor from Dr Jacobs (San Diego Union-Tribune: May 13, 2011)
Balboa Park traffic spat, Part 2 (San Diego Union-Tribune: May 10, 2011)
Lawsuits could jeopardize Balboa Park plan (San Diego Union-Tribune: May 9, 2011)
Cars and people don’t mix – restore park’s grandeur (San Diego Union-Tribune: May 8, 2011)
What's in the Balboa Park plan (San Diego Union-Tribune: May 8, 2011)
Balboa Park makeover in the works (San Diego Downtown News: May 5, 2011)
Plaza de Panama Project on San Diego People (KUSI: April 10, 2011)
- Editor's note: The image of the bypass bridge shown on this program has been altered without the permission of the Plaza de Panama Committee. The official designs from the design team are available here.
Balboa Park makes list of "coolest" city parks (April 12, 2011)
Alternatives debated on Jacobs' park plan (San Diego Union-Tribune: Mar 31, 2011)
Plaza de Panama plan focus of coming events (San Diego Union-Tribune: Mar 24, 2011)
Cabrillo Bridge Choices Headed to Balboa Park Committee (San Diego Union-Tribune: Feb. 2, 2011)
Redesigning Balboa Park's Plaza de Panama (North Park News: Jan. 31, 2011)
A City of Great Public Spaces (San Diego Union-Tribune: Jan. 16, 2011)
Community Members Weigh in on the Future of Balboa Park's Plaza de Panama (San Diego News Room: Jan. 13, 2011)
Irwin Jacobs' Ladder (San Diego Citybeat: Jan. 12, 2011)
Renovation Plans Considered for Balboa Park (SanDiego.com: Jan. 11, 2011)
Four Reasons to be Optimistic (Voice of San Diego: Jan. 10, 2011)
Balboa Park May Get a Makeover (NBC San Diego: Jan. 9, 2011)
Ban Cars from Park Bridge, Public Says (San Diego Union Tribune: Jan. 8, 2011)
Plan Would Remove Cars from the Center of Balboa Park (SanDiego6.co m: Jan. 7, 2011)
Balboa Park Renovation Plan Under Fire (10News.com: Jan. 6, 2011)
Balboa Park Parking Plan Draws Fire (KPBS: Jan. 6, 2011)
Jacobs, SOHO Trade Blows on Balboa Park (San Diego Union Tribune: Jan. 4, 2011)
2010 Coverage
Four San Diego Parks to be Remade for Celebrations (San Diego Union Tribune: Dec. 23, 2010)
Jacobs to Zoo: I Wasn't Planning on Solving your Parking Problems (Voice of San Diego: Dec. 21, 2010)
Zoo Questions Parking Solution for Plaza de Panama (San Diego Union Tribune: Dec. 21, 2010)
Zoo: More Parking Needed, Yesterday (Voice of San Diego: Dec. 20, 2010)
In Balboa Park, a Plaza for People and Pomp (Voice of San Diego: Dec. 9, 2010)
Balboa's Good History Versus Its Bad (Voice of San Diego: Dec. 3, 2010)
Balboa Park at a Crossroads (Voice of San Diego: Dec. 1, 2010)
Expect the Unexpected Part 2: Irwin Jacobs on the Plaza de Panama Effort (San Diego Union Tribune: Nov. 15, 2010)
Traffic Always a Part of Balboa Park (KPBS: Sept. 10, 2010)
Plaza Plan for Balboa Park Unveiled (San Diego Union Tribune: Aug. 31, 2010)
Proposed Improvements to Balboa Park Unveiled (SanDiego6: Aug. 31, 2010)
Plan for Car-Free Plaza de Panama Unveiled (KPBS: Aug. 30, 2010)
$33M Restoration Planned at Balboa Park (10News: Aug. 30, 2010)
Mayor Reveals Car-Free Plaza de Panama Plans (FOX5: Aug. 30, 2010)
Jacobs Champions Balboa Park Effort (San Diego Union Tribune: Aug. 19, 2010)
Mayor Wants Cars out of Balboa Park Plaza (San Diego Union Tribune: Jan. 16, 2010)
Calendar
The Plaza de Panama Committee encourages you to participate in the planning process and learn more about the project. The project will be discussed at the following upcoming meetings and events. All of these meetings and events are open to the public.
Friday, May 18 at 1 pm
Historical Resources Board - Public Hearing
202 C Street, 12th Floor Committee Room
Saturday, May 19 at 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Guided Public Walking Tour
Balboa Park (starts in the Plaza de California-in front of Museum of Man)
Thursday, June 7 at 9 am
Planning Commission - Public Hearing
202 C Street, 12th Floor Council Chambers
Monday, July 9 at 2 pm
City Council - Public Hearing
202 C Street, 12th Floor Council Chambers
Contact
Email: info@plazadepanama.org
