Once home to cars, the east side of downtown San Diego’s 14th Street, between G Street and Market Street, has been repurposed for people, with the so-called “greenway” designed to usher in a new era in East Village living.
The former asphalt area is the first block in a series of downtown blocks that will eventually make up what’s now being called the “14th Street Greenway.” Thursday, local politicians and other city officials participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the unveiling of the 4,500-square-foot linear park.
“Today we are celebrating the opening of East Village’s first urban greenway. This and many more greenways to come will enhance walkability, support community health and improve our overall quality of life in our downtown community,” said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria. “This project is the first of six interconnected greenways that will be located along 14th Street and extend 11 city blocks from C Street to Commercial.”
The debut moment offers an initial, real-world glimpse at the city’s long-term vision — as envisioned by the Downtown San Diego Mobility Plan — for an urban oasis of sorts, with underutilized public right of ways on six downtown streets converted into pedestrian promenades that connect people to larger parks, the water and adjacent neighborhoods.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria speaks at the opening of the first greenway on 14th Street in downtown on Thursday, March 11, 2021.
(Kristian Carreon/For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
The initial greenway replaced one travel lane and eight parking spots on a portion of 14th Street near Albertsons with a row of trees, improved lighting, a decomposed granite pedestrian path, landscaping and story panels highlighting the industrial roots of East Village. The one-block stretch also features artifacts donated by the family of late local businessman Bob Sinclair, who founded Pannikin Coffee and Tea.
The $2 million project proved more expensive and took longer to construct than originally planned, with overages and delays related to permitting and storm drain complications, said Brad Richter, who is the city’s deputy director of the urban division.
The project was funded through developer fees and a grant from the San Diego Association of Governments. The city’s former downtown planning agency, Civic San Diego, oversaw construction. Going forward, the newly improved area will be maintained by the Downtown San Diego Partnership.
The city is currently finalizing plans for the second block of the 14th Street Greenway, between Market and Island, with the aim of starting construction this summer, Richter said. And, because developers are being tasked with constructing a few of the blocks, the city expects to have five of the 11 blocks completed within two years, he said.
The entire pedestrian promenade network, which will take decades to complete, includes greenways on 8th Avenue, Union Street, Cedar Street, E Street and Island Avenue.
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March 12, 2021 at 05:42AM
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East Village 'greenway,' the first of many, replaces road with urban park - The San Diego Union-Tribune
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