Are
we redefining a world-class city?
I am mesmerized
by cosmopolitan cities…the people, the sounds,
the tall buildings, the sparkle, the energy and
especially the vibrant life.
Years ago,
with the opportunity to relocate anywhere, I began
a search to find my paradise. Requirements: in
the heart of a city, with an interesting skyline,
on the west coast, by the water, in the sun, arts,
culture. As I flew into San Diego, I peered out
the plane’s narrow window and immediately
knew I had found home. I fell in love with the
remarkable blend of significant buildings, the
innovative tower shapes combined with rustic warehouses,
the white sails dotting the sparkling bay, the
swaying palm trees, the uplifting sun.
In
the cab ride Downtown, I felt a city in the process
of becoming. All the pieces of the puzzle were here
just waiting to be assembled. One month later in
the sunny spring of 1992, I took my front row seat
in anticipation of watching our community piece
together.
What
a process I witnessed! Many recently completed beautiful
condos sat vacant for years. A man was killed when
his car was jacked on 5th & G. It wasn’t
safe to walk east of 6th Ave. Warehouse docks were
shelters for the homeless’ cardboard homes.
Every day the sound of shattering car glass brought
me to the window. Even at noon, I’d walk down
Broadway without seeing another human being.
Yet,
more importantly, I witnessed the promise of what
could be, for I knew “if you build it, they
will come”.
As
the potential rapidly becomes reality, I begin to
ponder the question…Are we redefining life
in a world-class city?
Super
Bowl gave me a glimpse into our future, one of incredible
vibrancy. Trolleys full of guests excited by possibilities
of adventure, from different backgrounds and beliefs,
all mingling with beaming faces, spilling into our
neighborhoods to enjoy what our unique community
has to offer. Downtowners welcoming and sharing
in the excitement.
The
future also holds some challenges, yet will not
impede life as we know it. With the exception of
a few baseball game days and special events, our
population will be disbursed throughout Downtown
instead of being packed onto the streets of Gaslamp,
lining Harbor Drive, or swarming out of Seaport
Village after the finale of the greatest
fireworks display.
Traffic
at non-peak hours will be manageable, though not
what we’re accustomed to encountering. During
peak hours, we’ll leisurely stroll by traffic
to our destination. Amidst all the tourists lured
by the quickened pace of our special offerings,
life for us walked along at a normal pace.
John
and Denise
Crofton (Brickyard)
went to see Fidelio. Jennifer
de Poyen and I met at Sushi to watch The
Wally Cadona Quartet. Barbara
and David Middleman (Watermark, soon Park
Place) talked with neighbors at a local coffee shop.
Larry Marshall (Marina
Place, soon Park Place) rode his birthday bike down
the Embarcadero. Lysta Gibbons
and her 16-year-old daughter Ashley
(Watermark) walked Oliver, their Wheaton terrier.
Katie Reed (CityFront)
strolled to church. Joy Charlotta
and Steve Eddy (Park Row), and others chanted
OM and went into downward facing dog at Pure
Fitness Westside Athletic Club.
Before
long, the building will be complete; they will come.
Life in our world-class city, our community, will
be filled with life, sparkle and energy.
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