Mayor Bob Filner to present Plaza de Panama parking solutions

Mayor Bob Filner will present his plan for temporary traffic management of Plaza de Panama to the Balboa Park Committee in Balboa Park, today, Wednesday, April 24, 2013.

The meeting will be held at the Balboa Park Club Ballroom at 2150 Pan American Road West, San Diego, CA at 6:00 p.m.

The Mayor’s plan frames the long-standing community goal of recovering the park for pedestrians, in a manner that is economically viable and also incorporates common sense solutions.

Specifically, regarding the Plaza de Panama, the Mayor wants all parking, signs, and striping to be removed from the Plaza and for the plaza itself to be resurfaced. The Mayor will also relocate handicap parking to the lot south of the Alcazar Garden and ensure the lot is compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Valet parking will be relocated from the southeast corner of the Plaza de Panama to the parking lot south of the Casa de Balboa.

The Cabrillo Bridge will remain open to vehicles Monday through Friday as it is now. As vehicles move through the Plaza de Panama, they will be restricted to a two-way drive aisle, separated by barriers to protect pedestrians. On weekends and holidays, the Cabrillo Bridge will be closed on the west end (Sefton Plaza), with removable barriers.

The Mayor’s plan will ensure the beauty of Balboa Park is preserved and provide pedestrian freedom in the Plaza de Panama. The public and media are also invited and encouraged to attend Wednesday’s meeting to hear the Mayor’s complete proposal.