![\"Hillcrest\u2019s](\"https:\/\/sduptownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/cover_a_altwebtop.jpg\")
Heat Bar & Kitchen. (Photo by Hutton Marshall)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The city of San Diego has an ongoing pilot project studying the installation of parklets. Councilmember Todd Gloria, whose District 3 includes Hillcrest, has parklets on his mind for 2015. Gloria states, in his predictions for the new year, \u201cI also foresee the passage of a standardized parklet policy that will encourage development of creative public spaces in San Diego.\u201d<\/p>\n
Katie Keach, deputy chief of staff for Gloria\u2019s office, expands further, \u201cCouncilmember Todd Gloria is committed to the implementation of a formal parklet policy this year.\u00a0I understand staff expects to have it complete this spring. That will be helpful for parklet proponents like those in Hillcrest.\u201d<\/p>\n
She noted that the city considers these projects \u201ctemporary pedestrian plazas,\u201d and that they must be readily removable at city request.<\/p>\n
\u201cCouncilmember Gloria sees parklets as opportunities for community-led creation of public gathering spaces,\u201d Keach said. \u201cThe policy will provide neighborhoods with clear guidelines and a clear process to follow so more great projects can result.\u201d<\/p>\n
San Diego\u2019s small set of existing parklets are confined to Downtown, Little Italy and North Park. The Beautification Committee of the Hillcrest Business Association (HBA) has taken notice of how this handful of small spaces has re-energized nearby neighborhoods. Eager to rebrand what the HBA considers its business district\u2019s \u201cdying\u201d image, the organization is considering plans for the community\u2019s first parklet, likely to be installed on Park Boulevard outside Heat Bar & Kitchen.<\/p>\n
Sam Khorish opened Heat in early 2013, and he sees real need for a parklet there. At the HBA Beautification meeting, he spoke softly and shook his head when describing the area\u2019s elderly residents walking past his restaurant, traversing to and from Hillcrest high-rise senior housing complexes to shop at the Sprouts market. The seniors on foot tire easily, he explained, and he is happy to welcome them to sit on his outside patio for a brief rest. He said he often provides them free bottles of water.<\/p>\n
But he worries about some who do not stop because they are reluctant to intrude on his business when not paying to dine. A parklet for the public, where residents could linger at their leisure, would increase safety, convenience and community engagement for these seniors and other nearby residents as well.<\/p>\n
About a month ago, Khorish contacted landscape architect Michael Douglas Brennan to enlist his assistance with a design plan for the site. Brennan was delighted to have \u201cthe right opportunity\u201d for creating the first parklet in Hillcrest. The envisioned area covers two unmetered parking spaces \u2014 which translates into no objections over lost city revenue from not collecting parking meter fees.<\/p>\n
Brennan put thought into the healthy cultural habits favored by locals, and local seniors, in particular.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe should remember we\u2019re all going to get older, if we\u2019re lucky, and we should create spaces that work for us that way,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
His design sketch provides for a parklet with seating to give seniors respite, as well as a bike parking area, a pet feeding and watering station, and a reading room complete with a lending library for book-sharing throughout the neighborhood.<\/p>\n Brennan further explained the intent behind the design. The interesting, pleasing appearance of the parklet should serve as a traffic-calming device, encouraging motorists to drive slowly and carefully to enjoy the scene, rather than zipping along the street corridor. The speed limit along that stretch of Park Boulevard is currently 35 mph.<\/p>\n Good design also assists people with maintaining healthy practices, by fostering relaxation, physical activity and mental exercise, said Brennan.<\/p>\n \u201cThis increases neighborhood involvement too,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n How much will this cost, and how is this to be paid for? Khorish said he will commit funds and fundraising efforts. He said he has been in discussions over possibilities with the HBA.<\/p>\n At the Beautification meeting, Benjamin Nicholls, executive director of the HBA, said he foresaw no difficulties with obtaining waivers and permission from the city of San Diego, but he asked not altogether rhetorically, \u201cWhere will the money come from?\u201d HBA members have concluded that \u201ca reasonable budget\u201d for the parklet will be upwards of $20,000, and could run as high as $30,000 to cover all construction costs. Permitting fees for the project will be $1,200. Khorish is willing to host movie nights, with a 6-foot screen, to bring in money for the project. The area parking district might be agreeable to adding in as much as $5,000, because sidewalk and curb repairs are already needed at the site.<\/p>\n \u201cThis won\u2019t make the cash register ring,\u201d Khorish admitted. His restaurant will not be able to serve customers there, under current pilot project guidelines for parklets. Moreover, his business will be responsible for maintaining the parklet\u2019s conditions. \u201cSam is really about investing in the neighborhood and giving back,\u201d Brennan said of Khorish. And a parklet is about taking back a little piece of the public right of way for everyone to enjoy.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n![\"Proposed](\"https:\/\/sduptownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Park-Blvd-Parklet-Sketchweb.jpg\")
& Kitchen on Park Boulevard (Courtesy Michael Douglas Brennan, Carson
Douglas Landscape Architecture.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n