Construction begins on Pride Promenade in Hillcrest
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Mayor Todd Gloria, along with civic leaders and community members, gathered Sunday to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Pride Promenade project, a transformative initiative set to reshape much of Normal Street into a vibrant, pedestrian-focused space in the heart of San Diego's LGBTQ district.
'The beginning of construction on the Pride Promenade is a historic moment for Hillcrest and our entire city,' said Mayor Todd Gloria said during the event. 'By investing in public spaces that celebrate our city's diversity and sense of community, we are creating a lasting legacy honoring Hillcrest's rich history while building a more welcoming and connected future for all of us.'
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The ambitious project, funded largely by the City of San Diego and overseen by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), will convert the west side of Normal Street between University Avenue and Lincoln Avenue into a pedestrian promenade. The area will feature a rainbow-colored bikeway, with the two eastern lanes remaining open to vehicular traffic.
State Assemblymember Chris Ward, a former City Council member, was instrumental in bringing the Pride Promenade to life. Ward, who secured $1.2 million in state funding for the project, expressed his pride in the initiative's progress.
'Pride Promenade is a landmark investment in inclusivity and progress,' he stated. 'Since my time on the San Diego City Council, making this vision a reality has been a priority. By expanding Pride Plaza and creating a vibrant, welcoming space for all, we are strengthening Hillcrest's legacy as a beacon of hope and acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community.'
In addition to transforming the streetscape, the Pride Promenade will expand Pride Plaza, located at the intersection of Normal Street and University Avenue. This iconic space, already home to the Pride flag and rainbow-colored crosswalks, will see the addition of a children's play area, historic lampposts, seating, shade structures, and about 115 new trees. A restored trolley car will also be incorporated for commercial use, nodding to the area's history as a key trolley line connecting Hillcrest and University Heights.
'This project sends a powerful message: San Diego is a city that embraces diversity, fosters belonging, and celebrates the contributions of every resident,' Ward continued.
The project will also complement the ongoing Eastern Hillcrest Bikeway, a 1.1-mile network of separated bikeways and buffered bike lanes across several streets in Hillcrest. The bikeway, which runs along University Avenue and Normal Street, is designed to enhance safety for cyclists while contributing to the area's overall revitalization. Notably, the Pride Promenade project will result in a net gain of 13 parking spaces for the community.
As part of the project, the weekly Hillcrest Farmers Market and other public events, including the San Diego Pride Festival and Parade, will continue to be supported by the enhanced public space.
Benjamin Nicholls, executive director of the Hillcrest Business Association, hailed the project as a symbol of community vision and city commitment. He said, 'Once finished, Pride Promenade will become one of San Diego's great spaces, a place we can all be proud of.'
Construction on the Eastern Hillcrest Bikeway and Pride Promenade is expected to be completed by late 2026.
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