Pacific Beach is encountering some bumps in the road in its attempt to move the community’s weekly certified farmers market to a bigger and better location. Opposition to the beach community’s plan to move the market from Bayard Street between Garnet and Grand avenues to Garnet Avenue between Mission Boulevard and Cass Street on Tuesdays, has come mainly from public agencies fearing the change would unduly disrupt and alter existing PB bus routes.
“Everyone wants to see this change except Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and San Diego Police Department due to rerouting of two bus routes and traffic rerouting,” said beautifulPB spokesman Chris Olson, noting the proposed venue change would create a weekly pedestrian mall.
“Bus rerouting, although inconvenient, is something we expect of MTS when the needs of the community change,” Olson said. “Safety of pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists is our primary concern. Garnet Avenue is one of the most dangerous corridors for motor vehicle-related pedestrian and bicycle collisions in San Diego. Our community wants to move the cars off Garnet for a few hours to see how we like experiencing a safe pedestrian environment.”
Every Tuesday the farmers market, open from 2 to 7 p.m., provides residents and visitors to PB, MB and Bird Rock with locally grown fruits, vegetables, farm-fresh eggs, meats, fish, fresh-baked bread and pastries, cheese, flowers, olive oils, dips, desserts and entertainment. The PB market is frequented by local farmers, chefs, artists and craftspeople. Shoppers coming for groceries can also enjoy live music and stay for dinner while mingling with neighbors.
Olson said PB’s request to move its farmers market “was just denied again.” This denial led to a change.org petition drive starting with a single signature that has since grown to 140 supporters.
“We need public support to demonstrate to our elected government that we want them to make this work for our community just as in Little Italy, OB and other places with weekly events on their main streets,” Olson said.
It is argued that moving the weekly farmers market to Garnet Avenue and blocking that street off would:
• Improve pedestrian safety by eliminating motor vehicles from this area for five hours.
• Revitalize and promote the business district.
• Create a weekly gathering place and sense of community identity.
• Provide healthy local produce and products.
• Create a non-car centric environment supporting the PB EcoDistrict principles and the City of San Diego Climate Action Plan.
• Allow people to experience a pedestrian-oriented Garnet.
Noting PB realizes rerouting traffic temporarily one day on Garnet will be problematic, Olson said the proposed change deserves reconsideration.
“We are trying to get them (San Diego police, MTS) to embrace a change in needs of the community and work with the us rather than just saying ‘no,’” Olson said.
“All special events like this require a 20-foot corridor for emergency vehicles, and our application is compliant.” When completed, the petition to move PB’s farmers market will be delivered to the mayor’s office, police chief Shelley Zimmerman and the board of directors of MTS.