SOLANA BEACH — A joint ceremony between San Diego County and Solana Beach was held onsite Jan. 27 to celebrate the new San Dieguito Park entry location and parking improvements as well as the city’s new entry sign in the median at the intersection of Lomas Santa Fe and Highland drives.
The City Council, staff members and County Supervisor Dave Roberts, in whose jurisdiction the project is located, were on hand for the ribbon cutting.
“These types of projects, I think, are what make Solana Beach so great – just nice community improvement projects, stuff that’s near and dear to my heart with respect to pedestrian and active transportation improvements,” Mayor Dave Zito said, referring to the narrowed lanes, safer parking areas and a new median, pedestrian entry gate and landscaping.
“This has been a really nice addition,” he said about the entry sign. “The process was a little lengthy and it went through a couple of iterations.
“There was some consternation about what it looked like after it was constructed so we went through another process to quickly make some modifications, and I think we ended up with a really excellent entry monument,” Zito added.
Roberts, a Solana Beach resident who lives near the intersection and served on the City Council, said he once told the county the area looked like a “used-car parking lot.”
“When I became supervisor I put this on the list of things I wanted to do,” he said. “I told them I wanted it to look nice and … match what is going on at this intersection because this is just a phenomenal city.
“I think it looks just beautiful, and I have heard nothing but positive comments,” he added. “This is just a great park. … Thank you for working with the county on this. I am just so pleased how this turned out. I just think it’s a great enhancement.”
The “Gateway to Sunshine” entry sign was controversial when it was approved by council about a year ago. Many residents supported the project, but others criticized the design, calling it “horrendous” and “tasteless” and a potential “traffic hazard.”
City Manager Greg Wade said after the installation there were concerns voiced by residents and council members that it didn’t look like the rendering.
“There was some spirited community input,” Councilman Peter Zahn said.
Using contingency funds the sign was lowered and the lettering was reorganized, bringing the total project cost to about $48,000. Money came from a Neighborhood Reinvestment Grant from Roberts’ office and the city’s public arts reserve account.
“The outcome is that all the input has been really positive,” Wade said.
1 comment
What a beautiful addition to an even more beautifl city. Nice job Mr. Swanson.
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