ESCONDIDO: City moving forward with downtown pedestrian plaza
Goal is creating a central gathering place
By DAVID GARRICK - Staff Writer | ∞
The city of Escondido wants to transform Maple Street between Grand Avenue and Valley Parkway into a pedestrian-friendly plaza. (Photo by Waldo Nilo - staff photographer) ESCONDIDO ---- Aiming to make downtown Escondido a pedestrian-friendly tourist destination, the city will pay a consultant nearly $200,000 this year to design a large outdoor plaza on Maple Street between Grand Avenue and Valley Parkway.
The goal is to create a gathering place that connects downtown Escondido with the city's performing arts center, Grape Day Park and the seven-story Marriott hotel slated to open nearby in early to mid-2010.
"This will be the place to go in Escondido," Councilman Sam Abed said this week. "It's important to have a pedestrian-friendly gathering place, and I can't think of a better spot for it."
The plaza is expected to include fountains, benches and other street furniture, said Assistant City Manager Charlie Grimm. It would be an ideal site for tree lighting ceremonies and band concerts, he said.
"There are a lot of ideas and possibilities out there," said Grimm.
The public will get a chance to comment on preliminary design plans when the consultant, Schmidt Design Group, hosts two public forums later this year. Dates for those forums have not been determined, Grimm said.
Once a design is approved by the City Council, the city will spend approximately $1.1 million building the plaza. But $935,000 of that money will come from a "smart growth" grant provided by the San Diego Association of Governments, a regional planning agency that rewards cities that cater to pedestrians.
The plan is to have the plaza open simultaneously with the hotel in 2010, city officials said.
The consultant's $192,000 fee will also pay for designs for a related pedestrian corridor that would make Maple Street the preferred way to walk north or south through downtown, city officials said.
The corridor would run north on Maple from Second Avenue through the new pedestrian plaza and on to Valley Parkway. It would then extend along the same trajectory as Maple through the new hotel, City Hall, the arts center and Grape Day Park. The corridor would end at Woodward Avenue, which is just south of Washington Avenue.
No one has raised objections to the corridor, but some downtown merchants and the hotel developer lobbied the city last summer to allow at least one lane of vehicle traffic to remain open on Maple Street. They were concerned about restricted traffic flow near their businesses.
Abed said he originally wanted to close Maple completely, but that the council was right to keep one lane open.
"I think we really have come up with a good compromise," said Abed. "We had to be sensitive to the businesses."
The vehicle lane will be elevated to the same height as the sidewalk and plaza to make the area look more pedestrian-friendly, said Grimm, noting that such a design is called a "festival street." No parking will be allowed on the street.
Other than the decision to allow one lane of vehicle traffic, the council has left the design up to the consultants, with input from the public.
Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler said she is still hopeful that the plaza will be vehicle-free someday.
"If we want to create a place that really connects downtown, the hotel and the arts center, then it seems to me we need to eliminate all traffic," said Pfeiler. "I think it will be an evolutionary process, with some businesses starting to see that the plaza could help them."
Pfeiler said she empathizes with the hotel developer's reluctance to force people to make a large loop to enter the property from Second Avenue, but she said that attitude may change when the hotel becomes more established and popular.
If the plaza is a success, it could also attract more coffeehouses and restaurants to Maple Street, said Grimm. There are no similar plazas in San Diego County, but Grimm said the concept has worked well around the country.
Contact staff writer David Garrick at (760) 740-5468 or dgarrick@nctimes.com.
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Budget crises wrote on Jun 17, 2008 1:07 PM:"The city will pay a consultant nearly $200,000 this year to design a large outdoor plaza on Maple Street between Grand Avenue and Valley Parkway." That's our tax money well spent - NOT!
I Thought wrote on Jun 17, 2008 2:16 PM:there was a budget crisis. Didn't we just hear that? If there is, why are we spending this money at this time? On top of that all the spending for the last 20 years has been downtown while East Valley Pkwy, So. Esco Blvd etc gets worse and worse. Very hard to understand. When they come after us to approve more taxes I hope folks are smart enough to realize there will never be enough tax money for this town.
Herb wrote on Jun 17, 2008 3:14 PM:That's a bright idea - now the people that come to see our new hotel can watch the homeless that gather there. Nice.
Escondeeter wrote on Jun 17, 2008 3:47 PM:Hopefully, somewhere in that design is a public restroom. Unless, of course, the Council has decided it doesn't want any actual human beings visiting Grand.
Are kidding wrote on Jun 17, 2008 4:15 PM:There is no pedestrian friendly crosswalk or anything here in Escondido. Everybody plows through pedestrian walks take a look at the senior building at 2nd and Grand, try crossing in the pedestrian crossing! Cars clipping pesedtrians when turning, bicycles plowing down citizens on sidewalks! Let me ask again, are you crazy?
To the clowns in wrote on Jun 17, 2008 4:18 PM:Escondido City Hall, try and pretend this is your money, I know it is easy to spend OPM, other peoples money, but try to pretend it is yours. GET A LIFE!!
No Doubt wrote on Jun 17, 2008 4:33 PM:I'm sure the Council will impose plenty of restrictions...just enough to make the plaza a failure. I'm wondering where the $200,000 will come from - Capital Improvement funds? That would be typical -as our streets are full of potholes. The Council is just trying to lighten the conversation up...a little damage control. It's not gonna work...the damage is done and it will be a loooooooonnnnng time before our little city will recover (its small town welcoming reputation). Escondido has gained a reputation for being one of the least hospitable cities in SD County...traffic checkpoints constantly, code enforcement sweeps, ICE sweeps, rental ban, parking ordinance and our city council majority has a special abhorrence for low-income and the homeless! And what is ironic is that our supposed Art/Cultural Diversity "draw", is hampered by Waldron (who doesn't want to see nude artwork on Grand) and Abed (who throws a hissy because of an artwork display @ California Center for the Arts). Not exactly a loving and inviting for people/artists/residents/pedestrians.
Jaque wrote on Jun 17, 2008 4:49 PM:A public restroom? Great idea. And how about including some kind of real overhead shade structure (unlike the skeleton that covers those folks waiting for the buses)?
Concerned wrote on Jun 17, 2008 6:11 PM:To No Doubt: The sweeps are great. Escondido should do more of them.
Read the Article wrote on Jun 17, 2008 6:20 PM:It clearly states the $935,000 of the costs is a grant. A $1.1 million project for $365,000 is a great deal and will enhance the city.
Christine wrote on Jun 17, 2008 8:22 PM:I love this idea! I think it should be traffic free-with lots of entertainment it would become a hot spot for North County and encourage walking.
To No Doubt wrote on Jun 17, 2008 8:27 PM:I don't think we need nude art on Grand. There are plenty kids there who don't need to see that. Same goes for Center for the Arts. The schools hold many events there.
scott wrote on Jun 17, 2008 9:43 PM:Nice idea, but not untill we do something the the funding for the schools! What a Shame!
Tommy wrote on Jun 17, 2008 9:47 PM:You will, of course, need lots of parking around the pedestrian-friendly area so people can get to it. If you've got a live band performing in there, you'll need a road so they can haul in their equipment (plus a place to park). If you're going to have refreshments in there, you're going to need a road to haul in supplies (plus a place to park). And if you're going to have access for emergency vehicles (police, fire, ambulance, INS, that sort of thing) you're going to need a road to handle them (plus a place to park). To ensure the infirm can access the area, you're going to need a road (plus a place to park).
prof wrote on Jun 17, 2008 10:03 PM:Government wasting our tax dollars on a project no one will use = HUGE BOONDOGGLE - just like the Sprinter!
Meanwhile, spending billions of tax dollars and ending thousands of American lives to find non-existent massive weapons of destruction and for bringing "democracy" to unwilling, ungrateful Iraq = HUGE IMPERATIVE!
NYHICA wrote on Jun 17, 2008 10:29 PM:Am I brainless? The developer just backed out of the existing Police Station & there are thoughts of closing the Arts Center. Though a nice idea, build this at this time?!?!?!?
Why not clean up the existing City and make it appealing for consumers to come and support the existing businesses before we loose what we already have?
To prof wrote on Jun 18, 2008 1:08 AM:I ride the Sprinter several times a week. The last time I rode on Monday this week, it was full on each route. That sure is a lot of "no ones."
Escondodo wrote on Jun 18, 2008 3:55 AM:Escondido's motto should be 'build first, plan later.' The current city council is always insisting on putting the cart before the horse. Why not wait until we see the effect that the downtown Marriott has before we make decisions on how we should respond to it? Good planning is progressive, step-by-step, and not 'shoot from the hip.' One can only wonder why they cannot understand this simple concept.
Orion wrote on Jun 18, 2008 5:20 AM:The problem is that there is nothing existing in Escondido, except an under-used arts center, that would attract visitors. You have to spend money to make money; this walk area could be a start. But as long as bloggers knee-jerk disparage any kind of financial outlay before we see it can work--risky, of course, during a city's budgetary shortfall--nothing will ever be gained. The solution is to have competent business-people with proven vision and imagination, make the right financial outlay.
GOOD IDEA wrote on Jun 18, 2008 7:04 AM:Many prospering urban areas have done and are doing this very thing. This is time and money well spent. Those whining about the money should consider focusing their concerns on the huge sums of our tax dollars being spent on the thousands of lawbreaking illegal aliens in our community. Think of the other important areas OUR tax dollars could go to help OUR legal citizens, their families, their children. Thank you Sam Abed and rest of C.C. for developing this positive idea.
Common sense wrote on Jun 18, 2008 7:08 AM:Back in the 70's when North County Fair was being developed, the first proposal was to put it "Down Town", but the Down Town business association fought that. saying it would take all their business away. Well San Diego's Horton Plaza proves that wrong. So now were spending millions trying to revive something that is dying in every city and some might say it's their own fault.
To Read the Article wrote on Jun 18, 2008 7:29 AM:And $10,000 is a great price for a jet plane, if you happen to have $10,000 to spare.
To To No Doubt at p.m. wrote on Jun 18, 2008 7:57 AM:My God, what is so terrible about a tasteful piece of art of the human form? Wre not talking about pornography here? It's OK for kids to go on killing rampages on video games, spraying blood and guts everywhere, but by all means shiled them from the sight of a tastefully posed sculpture of a human body.
Maria wrote on Jun 18, 2008 8:11 AM:I believe this enhancement will attract more business and tax dollars to our community. This grant is money well spent.
native escondido wrote on Jun 18, 2008 8:35 AM:I'm sure glad my tax dollars are going to something the city doesn't need while i can't afford a two bedroom apartment for me and my child! Where are the priorities in the city.? I am a full time hard working citizen and a good parent. How about spending some money to make our schools better and keep our teachers working and make housing more affordable?
Ridgerunner wrote on Jun 18, 2008 8:42 AM:OK guys... if you build it, they will come. Hope you are prepared for who "they" are. How about another infamous sweep to get rid of Les Miserables by arresting them for shopping cart violations? ...or is that only in Census years?
Been here a long time wrote on Jun 18, 2008 8:45 AM:The Arts Center, the Sprinter, the Marriott Hotel, the Pedestrian Plaza. All loosers, any one see a trend here?
trevor wrote on Jun 18, 2008 9:39 AM:A city can easily cut off roads with hydraulic posts that can be lowered and elevated to cut off car traffic. There's no need to obliterate an existing road to make it pedestrian friendly. Just implement hydraulic posts at strategic entry road(s) that can be lowered by city and emergency services.
It's a no-brainer.
As if wrote on Jun 18, 2008 9:50 AM:...traffic downtown isn't bad enough, let's close off a cross street that many people use to access the parking lot between City Hall and CCAE (soon to be Marriott!) So now everyone heading east down 2nd or Grand will have to go north on Broadway and left-turn it onto West Valley. The left turn lane isn't long enough to accommodate the number of cars that will back up there!
escodude wrote on Jun 18, 2008 10:24 AM:Great, now the homless can move from Grape Day park to the new Pedestrian Plaza and we can have two great places your kids can find needles and bottles! Way to go Esco! Lets make the H. Johnson building a shelter and we can really pack in the bums and become the Mecca of transients!
Al wrote on Jun 18, 2008 12:24 PM:I like it! Anytime you add pedestrian parks and coutyards for the public within a city area filled of concrete and cars it is good. Now convert the vacated Johnson furniture building into a contemporary indoor food-court, anchored with a Fuddruckers or another popular restaurant, and we'll see an up-tick in pedestrian life in downtown Esco!
Idea wrote on Jun 18, 2008 3:54 PM:Has anyone been to Boulder Colorado? Now that is a great idea of what a pedestrian area should be. Downtown Escondido has no traffic because there is nothing to do after 6:00pm except for pounders and the Irish Pub!
To To Read The Article wrote on Jun 18, 2008 5:09 PM:We are not talking about jet airplanes and you didn't read the rest of the comment "and will enhance the city".
San Marcos Crazier wrote on Jun 18, 2008 6:37 PM:San Marcos wants to build a downtown and bring over 100,000 daily vehicle trips per day to this new "pedestrian friendly downtown"! Do all city planners read the same stupid planning book? What a waste! Escondido has been trying to rebuild "downtown" for years. San Marcos wants to bring the same problem to us. Dumb growth for the sake of dumb growth. They and their friendly council members / developers ought to be tar and feathered!
More people wrote on Jun 18, 2008 7:48 PM:Has the City Council thought about how they are going to keep all those people safe? Are they going to hire more cops for all the people that will come into town? There aren't enough cops to handle everything in this crime-ridden city as it is. They keep building and building and adding population, but the city is not increasing the services.
Tommy wrote on Jun 18, 2008 8:22 PM:Given the general opposition to this idea, you can be certain it won't be presented to the voters for approval, since that would interfere with the master plan of ignoring us.
Vader wrote on Jun 18, 2008 8:46 PM:Where do I sign up to be a consultant for city work? It beats unemployment! What a joke the council has become!
trevor wrote on Jun 20, 2008 6:42 AM:Look...making a city center pedestrian friendly should be a good thing and a plus.
The problem seems to be how and where investments for "improvements" should be made.
If the city and investors liken the city center to a "cash cow" they'll be in for a big surprise.
Rather, the city council, investors, and Escondidans should come together and hammer out/visualize a plan that's practical, cost effective, desirable and durable.
The old Ritz Theater could house smaller film screens (+/- 50 stools per viewing room) for art-house/independent film. Top notch foreign films and domestic film viewing could be feasible. Escondido could even have an annual film festival?
The old Johnson Furniture building should be renovated into a Farmers Market like they have in Los Angeles. I'm not talking those friendly "amigo" stores BUT quality fruit & veg stalls and even a quality butcher could be placed in there?
Perhaps a multi-leveled parking building would invite future shoppers and pedestrians to downtown if there was something to see and do?
Esco has potential but dollar-eyed city fathers and paranoid city dwellers fearing an onslaught of a homeless army pillaging downtown will get everybody nowhere.
Hell, maybe I should run for mayor?
Jaque wrote on Jun 20, 2008 6:47 AM:TOMMY! Excellent point!
To To Read wrote on Jun 20, 2008 8:34 AM:Do you really think I was referring to Jet Airplanes? The point was this city council just spent hours debating the 50k to pay for our Lobbyist and they now want to spend 200k for a consultant.
This is money we don't have. Was the analogy that hard for you to grasp or were you dead set on defending your point?
Deaf Ears wrote on Jun 21, 2008 12:10 PM:The clear agenda of the City Counsel is to build their own politcal resume at the City's expense. They choose to not hear the overwhelming voice calling for the necessities first (pot holes and public safety) in these times of, which by their own declaration, fiscal shortfalls. Let them hear you at the polls!
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