THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2009
San Diego Community Newspaper Group
www.SDNEWS.com Volume 14, Number 23
Rainbow curbs: the new LJ parking plan Would reportedly add 64 spaces BY ALYSSA RAMOS | VILLAGE NEWS
Members of La Jolla Community Planning Association (LJCPA) discussed a parking plan that would add spaces to La Jolla village and, its creators said, possibly curb future intervention from the city. “Paid parking isn’t dead,” LJCPA trustee Dan Cortney said during the group’s April 2 meeting. LJCPA members introduced a “rainbow curb” plan that the report’s authors said would add 64 parking spaces around La Jolla village, mostly by eliminating valet and passenger zones. “This is step one of the parking management plan,” said Ed Ward, creator of the Rainbow Curbs Survey presented during the meeting and last year’s alternate parking plan that opposed the city of San
Diego’s paid parking meter proposal for the village. “Let it be known now to any public servant: We will oppose meters to the end,” Ward said. Last year, La Jollans clashed over a plan to install parking meters throughout the village. But locals ultimately ended their clamoring when former San Diego City Councilman Scott Peters announced he was stalling the process by dispersing citywide parking boards including the La Jolla Community Parking Advisory Board that included members from local area councils. Ward said his plan focused on spaces companies were not using, abandoned drive-through spaces, unneeded commercial loading zones and some curbs that, Ward SEE CURBS, Page 5
This close-up shows the detail work of artist Jane Wheeler’s mosaic design for the concrete bench outside Little VILLAGE NEWS | DON BALCH Locks, 5665 La Jolla Blvd. The BRCC is expanding the bench art design project.
BRCC begins bench sponsorship program BY ALYSSA RAMOS | VILLAGE NEWS
MTS sharpens scissors for new cuts, fare increases BY SEBASTIAN RUIZ | VILLAGE NEWS
Come September, the weekend bus line to Cabrillo National Monument and Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery may cease. Other changes to routes will take effect June 14, transit officials said. The changes are the latest in route reductions and fare increases the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) plans to implement because of the ripple effect from state budget cuts. In the wake of California’s financial crisis, the MTS board of directors voted in March to eliminate weekend service to parts of Point Loma, along with additional service reductions in the downtown area. The so-called “Super Loop” bus and shuttle service will also replace Route 86, which serves University City. Route 84 to Cabrillo National Monument and Fort Rosecrans, which frequently serves personnel at Naval Base Point Loma, also
faces service reductions. District 2 Councilman Kevin Faulconer sits on the MTS board of directors. The board is putting off decisions about Route 84 until September, according to Tony Manolatos, communications director for Faulconer. MTS also expects to hike the cost of monthly adult bus passes from $68 to $72, as well as initiating other increases effective July 1. The change will represent the third fare increase in 18 months, MTS spokesman Robb Schupp said. “It’s a continuing saga in which the state is balancing its budget by taking away funding from lots of agencies… this [MTS] being one of them,” Schupp said. The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) will hold two public hearings about the fare increases. One is set for Wednesday, April 15 in the North County SEE MTS, Page 4
In an effort to decorate and update Bird Rock’s benches along La Jolla Boulevard, Bird Rock Community Council members are asking local businesses to sponsor their Concrete Bench Art Project. “The concrete benches were put in many years ago, but they suffered with the sea air,” said Bird Rock Community Council President Joe LaCava. “One year ago we hired a concrete specialist to finish the benches so they’re safe and to add some color.” BRCC members asked Jane Wheeler to decorate one bench. Wheeler, a local artist who frequently aids Bird Rock Elementary School and Muirlands Middle School art students, chose the bench outside Little Locks at 5665 La Jolla Blvd., LaCava said. “Wheeler was chosen to do her thing with the benches. They picked a mosaic with a seaside scheme in front of Little Locks,” LaCava said. “It was literally a work of art. It so inspired people that we began to talk about the other five benches — we could do the same thing if we found other
It so inspired people that we began to talk about the other five benches ... JOE LACAVA BRCC PRESIDENT
sponsors in the Bird Rock community.” At this point, La Cava said he estimates each bench would cost approximately $1,500 to sponsor Wheeler to create similar tile decorations. Locals can view the completed mosaic bench outside Little Locks. Business owners interested in sponsoring one of the five remaining benches can email BRCC members at brcc@san.rr.com. ■
A bicyclist rides by the concrete bench with mosaic art by Jane Wheeler at VILLAGE NEWS | DON BALCH 5665 La Jolla Blvd.