Point Loma Association turns on the lights over Rosecrans Street

Village Lights, a Point Loma Association-sponsored project to add lights over Rosecrans Street between Cañon and Talbot streets, was formally dedicated on May 9 with a free family-friendly community celebration titled “Light Up the Night.”

“I want to personally thank each of you for all the hard work and support with the Village Lights project,” said PLA chair Mike McCurdy to the group’s board after the event. “The turnout was impressive with so many residents walking the village, exploring new businesses, and socializing with neighbors. The PLA truly brought the community together for a night to remember.”

Added McCurdy: “This has been a long four years and the toughest project the PLA has ever tackled that I know of. I am very proud the PLA now has a ‘legacy project’ that generations will enjoy for years to come. I hope you share the same pride I feel for delivering this to our community.”

The Village Lights are on. Courtesy photo

Looking ahead, JT Barr of Schmidt Design Group, the lead architect on the Village Lights project and chair of PLA’s Projects Committee, said, “It is thrilling to see the Village Lights project come to fruition. We will soon be turning our attention to the next ‘big idea’ and how the PLA can further enhance the quality, character, and experience of the Peninsula.

“From the Gaslamp Quarter to Hillcrest to North Park; San Diego is a city of iconic gateway signs. Each with its own unique personality reflecting the community it anchors. We believe there is an opportunity for Point Loma to have its own landmark entry into the community and will be exploring avenues to make it a reality.”

The Point Loma Association board of directors was joined by (far left) County Supervisor District 3 Terra Lawson-Remer, and (far right) Mayor Todd Gloria, as PLA chairman Mike McCurdy speaks during the dedication ceremony of the Village Lights on May 9. COURTESY PHOTO

“This project has been in the works since 2018, so it is very gratifying to see it come to fruition,” said PLA board member, spokesperson, and local Realtor Beth Roach. “We had money granted from both the County and City. We also did a fundraising drive over the last several years with more than 250 people donating. Those donations will go toward plaques and pavers, which will commemorate donors and their family members and is a symbol of what Point Loma means to them.

“All of us (PLA) were thrilled about the turnout for the event,” added Roach.

The Village Lights project was seeded with a $60,000 grant from the County of San Diego through former supervisor Greg Cox’s office and $5,000 from the City through Council District 2.

More than 250 individuals and 30 businesses were sponsors of the Village Lights project, while engineering and design services were provided by DPR Construction, Schmidt Design Group, ELEN Consulting, Rick Engineering, BWE, and American Wiring.