At the end of each year, I like to look back at the many community improvements we’ve accomplished together in the previous year. Each new project, from the big-ticket items such as new public facilities, to seemingly minor changes such as improved signage, makes a difference in the lives of thousands of residents. This year was an eventful one for University City and La Jolla.
University City
Perhaps the biggest accomplishment of 2007 was the completion of the Nobel Park and Library complex in North University City. Five years in the making, from design to completion, these facilities together form a new community anchor and destination for UC residents. The state-of-the-art and environmentally friendly library and recreation center will sustain and nurture our community for decades to come, and the acres of active and passive recreation space, dog park and landscaping will mature and grow along with the surrounding neighborhoods.
Many of you may have noticed that Standley Recreation Center was closed in September. The closure was due to the much needed floor renovation throughout the center. The Standley Recreation Council generously contributed $7,050 to help fund this $27,500 floor replacement project.
The second phase of the Genesee Avenue widening project began this year as well, improving a .6-mile stretch from Campus Point Drive to Interstate 5. When complete, the project should improve traffic flow onto the freeway at rush hour and facilitate entry into Scripps Memorial Hospital.
This April, we celebrated Arbor Day by recognizing University City Community Association (UCCA) volunteers for their hard work, and completion of planting 11 jacaranda trees along Governor Drive. Four of the 11 jacarandas located at the Park and Ride, where Governor Drive meets the I-805, are maintained through the UCCA Adopt-A-Highway group sponsored by CalTrans.
Serving both the community and thousands of tourists who walk its fairways, the Torrey Pines Golf Course is one of the best courses in the country, a sentiment reinforced by its selection by the USGA for the 2008 U.S. Open. Improvements in advance of the tournament, including the south course and the parking lot, should be complete this month.
La Jolla
The other major facility improvement of 2007 had its origin in what I hope will be the first of many public-private partnerships. Thanks to the vision and hard work of Trip Bennett and the La Jolla Sunrise Rotary, Fire Station 13 on Nautilus Street received a major renovation and face-lift to support the men and women of our fire and rescue service. If you haven’t seen the station since the completion of the project, I encourage you to visit. I assure you, you’ll be impressed by the beautiful façade and modernization.
Work began this year on the second and third phases of the Bird Rock traffic improvement and beautification project, the goal of which is to improve traffic flow and create a beautifully landscaped, pedestrian-friendly community center and shopping destination along La Jolla Boulevard. I am extremely proud of this project, as it was the result of intense public participation throughout the design phase. In fact, public feedback continues to shape the project, as work crews adapt to meet the needs of residents and merchants along the boulevard during construction.
A number of parking improvements in La Jolla should create additional parking in heavily trafficked areas. Crews removed red curbs to create additional parking spaces on public streets throughout La Jolla, and the bus loading zone at La Jolla Elementary was reduced to accommodate additional cars. In the Shores, the changes have simplified parking time limits, reorganized yellow and green zones, and encouraged delivery trucks to service businesses from the alley instead of blocking the street.
Other notable accomplishments of 2007 include major street and sidewalk upgrades, such as the repaving of Torrey Pines Road between La Jolla Village Drive and La Jolla Parkway, and significant portions of Hillside Drive, Hidden Valley Road, and Via Capri; traffic-calming measures along Via Capri; the repair of a heavily damaged crash barrier at the Throat; a new stairwell at Shell Beach; and dozens of curb cuts and audible signals around La Jolla and University City to accommodate the disabled.
My thanks to the many community members, city employees and community partners who helped make these and other community projects possible this year. I look forward to an exciting and productive 2008.
” District 1 City Councilman and Council President Scott Peters contributes a monthly Council Corner column highlighting City Hall happenings pertinent to La Jolla and University City .