If you have ever walked E Street in the Gaslamp Quarter and East Village in downtown San Diego and wished it was more pedestrian friendly, your wish may be coming true thanks to a number of actors responsible for the Masterplan. The plan provides a framework for improvement recommendations on amenities, materials, landscape, and recommendations and can be used to facilitate construction on a block by block basis as funding and development opportunities arise.
The Greenway is located between Horton Plaza and Interstate 5 and stretches from 4th Avenue to 16th Street, just a short distance from available condos in downtown San Diego. It intersects with the 8th Avenue Greenway, the 14th Street Greenway, and the tracks along 6th Avenue and Park Boulevard, providing a balance for travel space amongst walkers, bikers, and drivers.
The project is expected to help downtown San Diego reach their long-term climate goals. With more room for pedestrians to enjoy the outside world, city planners hope residents and tourists alike will ditch their motorized vehicle in exchange for biking or travelling by foot. Each block will be packed with dining options and outdoor gathering space.
While each block will be connected by the plant palette, they will differ in style to reflect the history of each block and neighborhood. Residents and tourists will be able to enjoy a variety of different art attractions as well as areas to play outside that will reflect the diversity in the downtown area.
After over a year of social distancing, lockdowns, and wearing masks, getting outside to enjoy some fresh air will be good for everyone. San Diego planners recognize the benefits of Greenways and are interested in creating more in the future. Developers and planners are interested in the general public’s ideas and have integrated some of the proposals presented at public workshops. Instead of being stuck in traffic, San Diego is telling their residents to get out of their vehicles and enjoy the beauty each day brings.