53 residents and business owners met Monday evening at the Inn at the Park as the Banker Hill Residents Group participated in presentations ranging from the Muni Code (by supporting motions put forward by former Balboa Park Committee chair Vicki Granowitz) to a safer pedestrian experience presented by steering committee member Jim Frost (left). Here is a projected crosswalk at the intersection in question (Spruce & Sixth).
Government representatives from Washington, D.C., to San Diego’s City Hall fielded questions and concerns (what are we going to do about urban crows? or a lack of “no park” signs when the street cleaner cometh?).
Stephen Whitburn, San Diego LGBT Pride General Manager, returned to share with the group that Pride has addressed residents concerns about parking and litter. Free shuttles will be in abundance from Pride and the Uptown Parking District. Locals will be cleaning-up over Pride weekend with a big push of the broom planned for Monday morning (the same day as the next BHRG meeting). The residents group will earn $10 per volunteer hour (up to a $1,000 donated from Pride) for a neighborhood clean-up. Email to learn how you can help put the sparkle back on Bankers Hill and create funds for future projects.
The feature presentation of the evening came from local resident Ingrid Croce and husband Jimmy Rock (left) who shared plans and images of a “new island of hospitality and community” — Croce’s Park West — an entertainment & dining venue set to open January 2014 that will seat 140 guests at 2760 Fifth Avenue, the former location of Avenue 5.
Ingrid reminisced that she and first husband, singer Jim Croce, moved to San Diego 30 years ago and just before his death in a plane crash the couple had decided to open a much needed restaurant in the Gaslamp. Ingrid eventually opened Croce’s downtown. Sadly it will be closing at the end of the year, but Croce’s Park West will open soon thereafter with most of their current staff. Those in attendance voted unanimously to support this exciting new venture!
Mark your calendars for the July meeting (7/15/13) when we’ll get an update on plans for the 2015 centennial celebration in Balboa Park. This is an exciting time for our community. Please attend to learn what is going on in the neighborhood.
