{"id":250978,"date":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-11-18T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sdnews.com\/funding-plan-approved-for-plaza-de-panama-project\/"},"modified":"2016-11-18T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2016-11-18T08:00:00","slug":"funding-plan-approved-for-plaza-de-panama-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/funding-plan-approved-for-plaza-de-panama-project\/","title":{"rendered":"Funding plan approved for Plaza de Panama project"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/u>Por Ken Williams | Editor<\/p>\n

The San Diego City Council voted 8-1 on Nov. 14 in favor of a $79 million funding plan for a Plaza de Panama project that will create more than 6 acres of vehicle-free parkland, gardens and plazas by banning cars from the heart of Balboa Park.<\/p>\n

The long-dormant project has been rife with controversy over plans to build a bypass road and bridge off the east end of the historic Cabrillo Bridge and construct a three-story parking garage behind the Spreckels Organ Pavilion that will expand paid parking to the \u201cpeople\u2019s park,\u201d as Balboa Park is known. Currently, valet parking is the only paid-parking option in Balboa Park.<\/p>\n

The council, after listening to hours of public comments, overwhelmingly voted in favor of the funding mechanism, which includes the issuance of bonds, a one-time contribution from the city\u2019s Capital Outlay Fund and a dependence on parking revenue. Council President Sherri Lightner cast the only \u201cno\u201d vote.<\/p>\n

\"_topwebartist-rendering\"<\/a>
An artist\u2019s rendering of the bypass bridge and road at Balboa Park (Courtesy of Plaza de Panama Committee)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWe can now seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform San Diego\u2019s crown jewel for the next century,\u201d Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer said in a statement issued immediately after the Nov. 14 vote. \u201cThis public-private partnership will reclaim the heart of Balboa Park for pedestrians and return the Plaza de Panama to its original grandeur. With the support from the City Council and great civic leaders like Dr. Irwin Jacobs, the grand restoration of Balboa Park can finally begin.\u201d<\/p>\n

The city capped its financial commitment at $49 million, and the remaining $30 million must be raised via private philanthropy, led by the Plaza de Panama Committee chaired by Dr. Jacobs, the Qualcomm co-founder. Any cost overruns would be covered by the Plaza de Panama Committee, according to the agreement.<\/p>\n

Construction is expected to begin in fall 2017 and will occur in four phases lasting 26 months, according to the city.<\/p>\n

Under the leadership of Mayor Jerry Sanders, the City Council originally approved the project in 2012. But a legal challenge that originally stopped the project was eventually overturned by an appellate court, a decision that was later affirmed by the California Supreme Court.<\/p>\n

The long delay proved expensive, since the project was estimated to cost $45 million in 2012. The original cost estimate was revised this year to reflect updated state development regulations, the applicability of prevailing wage and a less competitive bidding market, according to the mayor\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

During Monday\u2019s public comments, project supporters pointed out that all of the museums and tenants in Balboa Park were in favor of the plan.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m proud to join Balboa Park institutions and community stakeholders in moving this project forward,\u201d said Councilmember Todd Gloria, whose District 3 includes Balboa Park. Gloria is expected to resign his council seat by month\u2019s end in order to be sworn into his freshman term in the California Assembly, and his successor, Chris Ward, will take over on Dec. 12 when the newly elected councilmembers are seated.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe agreement approved by the council [Monday] represents a collaborative and extensive vetting process that includes sensible fiscal protections for the city while accomplishing our ultimate goal of returning the park\u2019s Central Mesa to primarily pedestrian and park uses,\u201d Gloria said.<\/p>\n

Critics of the plan included a number of historic preservation groups, led by Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO). Bruce Coons, executive director of SOHO, vowed to sue the city to try to stop the project.<\/p>\n

The main criticism, during public comments, was directed at the bypass road and bridge, as detractors worried that construction would destroy the historic designation for the Cabrillo Bridge and damage the environment.<\/p>\n

Gloria, point by point, disputed the claims of the opposition and pointed to the greater good of the project. Councilmember Marti Emerald noted that 12 million people \u201clove the park\u201d each year, and that the project would only improve their pedestrian experience in Balboa Park. Councilmember Scott Sherman called it \u201ca very good project\u201d and said it \u201cwould bring us into compliance\u201d with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).<\/p>\n

\u201cBalboa Park is a beloved part of San Diego filled with the rich history of our region, yet it is still changing and evolving,\u201d Gloria said in a statement released after the vote. \u201cThis is why more than 12 million people visit the park every year and it is through new evolutions, like that in the Plaza de Panama project that we will continue to improve the visitor experience to entice residents and visitors alike to visit Balboa Park for years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to the mayor\u2019s office, the Plaza de Panama project includes:<\/p>\n