Proposed bypass bridge - a crucial element of the Jacobs' plan.
The good folks at SOHO – Save Our Heritage Organization – are fighting angry. And for good reason. They are upset that the San Diego Planning Commission approved billionaire Irwin Jacobs’ plans for Balboa Park at its June 7th meeting. SOHO wrote us:
After eight hours of presentations and public testimony on June 7th, with little thoughtful deliberation, the San Diego Planning Commission voted 7-0 to recommend approval of the Plaza de Panama project. Their conduct was one of extreme disappointment as they let down both the public and forfeited their stewardship of Balboa Park in an embarrassing display up one-upmanship of who could thank Dr. Jacobs the most for gracing their presence. This is no exaggeration.
The meeting in its entirety can be viewed at this video link. But for those of you who haven’t the time or inclination, please view the following short clips. These remarks from the Planning Commissioners will give you a good idea of just how endangered Balboa Park is in the hands of decision makers who are unable or unwilling to show real leadership and why your involvement is so crucial.
Chairman Naslund describes the National Historic Landmark District as a “pile of buildings” – VIDEO
Commissioner Griswold explains why anyone with the financial means should be able to “dictate” what happens to Balboa Park – VIDEO
To say that this board abdicated their obligation is an understatement. They took no heed of the votes by two city boards that are part of the permit process: the Park and Recreation and the Historical Resources Board (HRB) to oppose the destructive project and in fact city staff explained away the HRB vote because they were looking only at a narrow scope of historic issues for the National Historic Landmark District.
The final public hearing for the project is July 9. This will be your last chance to voice your opinion to decision makers about the massive, destructive, and inappropriate development project. Your help is imperative.
Take these actions now!
- Write to City Council (email LINK). We must make an impact on those who are voting on the fate of our park.
- Sign the petition. This is a new one and each time a person signs it, the council is notified. We are close to 600 signatures now. Let’s make it thousands. Share this with friends! Petition LINK
- Share this email on your facebook by pasting this LINK on your wall. And forward this email to every person you know who loves Balboa Park as much as you do!
- Write your local papers with a Letter to the Editor. Help get the word out, the public needs to be heard! Click HERE.
- Show up at City Council. SAVE THE DATE now to attend: July 9. This may be the most important City Council meeting you will ever attend. Remember, there is only one Balboa Park.
- For more information, and to learn more – HERE
- Plaza de Panama Facebook
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years ago, in the 70’s, there was a publication called Ramparts…totally disrespectful of the 1% and not so enamored of the “establishment’s” economic system ie gas prices and shortages were front page….. terrific journalism with authenticated research, and very entertaining……i do recall one piece about patty hearst and the political criticism of the SLA (symbionese liberation army—army?, no, about 30 ultraleft nuts). the criticism centered, correctly, on sympathy for the ruling class the kidnapping generated vis a rather stupid daughter attending UC beserkly (she eventually married her cop body guard after a stint in prison) who, as luck would have it, survived to inherit much of herarst billions (read Bohemian Grove some prophetic photos of tricky dick , his mouth open and guv ronnie raygun sitting nearby with a scoffly look…an indicator of times to come)…. she generally keeps a pretty low profile…she has primary say over king william randolph hearst’s estate and art collection…a tapestry in one room of hearst castle, get it?, castle, is a huge original and priceless tapestry (not signed by the women who spent, how long? creating it) …a copy is in the Lourve…now that’s wealth…one of the guides a college professor ( working a summer job) at the julia morgan designed abode, pointed out, in the distance, a mountain…the color gave a hint of the $$$$$$ beneath the surface..cinnabar—-mercury…explosives …remember the “Maine?” …mr. william hearst..citizen kane? manifest destiny. he did more han create yellow journalism..he helped create a market…the military halliburtan industrial complex…thanks Ike.
and what has this got to do with our (really, it’s their) Balboa Park? there is a parking issue of sorts being debated and discussed but the real issue not about parking autos, it’s about parking art the 1% own and stole and the huge tax shelters and write offs their collections receive….. legally, of course, while showing us how generous they are to give us a glimpse of Klee, Homer, Calder, Rivera ad infinitum…this is not just the US ruling class, a recent exhibit of about 6o + works at the museum ….thoroughly stunning pieces featuring modern Mexican artists after the Mexican revolution , a completely and refreshingly secular part of Latin art ( less the blood, crosses and ubiquitous saints, pedophiles and madonnas) by the belstin family of Mexico City. Ah….. in all, the written brochure program revealed, they (the belstins) have, 6,000 pieces in their collection… 6, 000 pieces in their collection.
It’s big, Big business, museums, trusts, boards, elite parties, sponsors (more tax shelters and write offs)…SOHO needs to get off the subjective crapola side of this/these scheme(s) and dig a bit deeper into the OBJECTIVE REALITY , who profits and why, part of this unequal equation…it’s basically the same story throughout their 1% (temporary) Americas. I do miss Ramparts, they were funny, made clear and understandable political points that educated many of us. FOLLOW THE MONEY. CAN’T REDUCE TAX WRITE OFFS BECAUSE OF MAINTENANCE COSTS AND THE ECONOMY…GOTTA GET US TO PAY MORE FOR THAT GLIMPSE.