The community of Hillcrest in San Diego has a deficit of public spaces.  Hillcrest is one of the few neighborhoods in San Diego that has no public parks.  Neighbors and city planners have long sought to "Re-imagine Normal Street" by making it into a multi use public space that accommodates all means of transportation.  It will  be an adaptive public space that accommodates a variety of uses from events and parking to safe spaces for bikes and pedestrians.

We have a unique opportunity right now to make this space a reality and we need your help!  SANDAG (the regional transportation authority in San Diego) is planning on putting bike lanes through this space and there are millions of dollars in unspent parking meter revenue set aside that could be used in this area.  This crowdfunding opportunity will bridge the gap between what SANDAG can build (bike lanes and related infrastructure like sidewalks and green spaces) and what the Uptown Community Parking District can build (parking spaces and related infrastructure).   

We will use your contribution for elements that SANDAG and the Parking District can't pay for such as trees, sidewalk fixtures ( seating, plants, lights), place making features, adaptable furnishings and artistic elements.

History

Beginning as a through way for the streetcar, Normal Street is now a wide boulevard that is home to a variety of events.  This place is the staging area of the annual Pride Parade, weekly Farmers Market and many other community events such as Nightmare on Normal Street, Pride Block Party and AIDS Walk.  Normal Street is also home to Hillcrest's well known Pride Flag and LGBT historical monument.  

Pedestrian Promenade
The Hillcrest Business Association is currently working with a team of urban planners and designers to create a pedestrian promenade by closing the lanes on the Northwest side of the street.  This promenade will add pedestrian walkways, gathering spaces, bicycle lanes, parking and will augment “Pride Plaza” to accommodate the larger gatherings that occur around the flagpole.    

The Normal Street is being re-designed by a consortium of planners at KTU+A, Estrada Land Planning, RBF Consulting, Carson Douglas, BNIM, students at the Escuela Libre de Arquitectura and a number of retired architects.  It is envisioned that construction will be funded by SANDAG, the San Diego Storm Water Department and the Uptown Community Parking District.