Guest Commentary: Coming soon to La Jolla — new Village streetscape
La Jolla Light
JUNE 2, 2024 12:00 PM PT
The first major project of the La Jolla Community Foundation since forming the La Jolla Village Maintenance Assessment District is about to become a reality.
Phase 1 of a Village-wide plan focuses on Girard Avenue between Prospect and Silverado streets with the goal of revitalizing the retail economy and the walkability of The Village.
Infrastructure and landscaping upgrades include corner parks, dozens of new benches and trees, additional street lighting, safer crosswalks and new stormwater drainage. Construction will be staged in two parts to avoid any disruption during the busy summer period.
Improvements to the section between Prospect and Wall Street may begin as early as September but will probably be delayed until January as details are negotiated with the city of San Diego.
The project is currently out for permit, and bidding on construction will start shortly. City Council member Joe LaCava has been instrumental in working with San Diego city staff to navigate the complex maintenance and liability issues.
Fundraising for Phase 1 was kicked off by a $1 million donation from La Jolla philanthropist Una Davis, enhanced by an additional $1 million in state funding, thanks to state Sen. Toni Atkins. A dozen La Jolla families have generously contributed $100,000 each to help make this improvement project a reality. LJCF also received a grant of $20,000 from the county, thanks to Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer.
More than a half-million dollars has already been invested in architectural, landscaping, lighting and engineering fees. Additional support from La Jolla families, private foundations and government agencies is needed to complete the project.
To learn more, go to ljcommunityfoundation.org/streetscape. To become a member of LJCF or to make a donation to the streetscape project, contact Lidia Rossner at lrossner@ljcommunityfoundation.org or (858) 257-7100.
Phyllis Pfeiffer is chairwoman of the La Jolla Community Foundation. ◆
This article was originally available online at https://www.lajollalight.com/news/opinion/story/2024-06-02/guest-commentary-coming-soon-to-la-jolla-new-village-streetscape.