San Diego Council Approves Plaza de Panama Plan

SAN DIEGO -- On Nov. 15, the San Diego City Council approved the revived $70 million Plaza de Panama plan, which includes $50 million in bonds to pay for the construction of a parking garage, bridge and roadway.

The plan also calls for banning cars in a portion of Balboa Park and a cooperation agreement with a private group that's raising funds for the project.

The vote was 8-1 with Council President Sherri Lightner voting no.

The plan was first approved by the council four years ago. Opponents sued and initially succeeded in getting the project stopped. However, an appellate court ruled in the city's favor in May, and about a month later, Mayor Kevin Faulconer revived the idea.

"The project's goal is very simple. Reclaim the heart of the central mesa for pedestrian use and activate the core of the park by creating more opportunities for world class cultural events,'' Faulconer said in his remarks to the City Council before the vote.

The plan caps the city's contributions at $49 million. The cooperation agreement would authorize the Plaza de Panama Committee -- led by Qualcomm co-founder Irwin Jacobs -- to raise the rest of the funds. The committee would also be responsible for cost overruns.

Revenue from a parking garage behind the Spreckels Organ Pavilion would pay back the bond proceeds, according to the city's plans.

Construction is expected to begin in fall 2017.

By City News Service/Image courtesy of Balboa Park