“The San Diego Symphony’s proposed permanent bayfront stage complex was approved unanimously at the Port of San Diego’s board meeting” on January 9, writes Jeanette Steele in Thursday’s (1/11) San Diego Union Tribune. “The $45 million project would create what’s being called a new, iconic landmark on the downtown waterfront and nearly double the capacity of the Summer Pops—now called Bayside Summer Nights—open-air concerts to 10,000…. It would also permanently privatize a third of an acre of prime public parkland.… The port board approved a final environmental impact report and … endorsed a binding letter of intent with the symphony. Opposition: There was none. But Garry Bonelli, the port commissioner who represents Coronado, said he’d like the symphony to … consider ending concerts at 10 or 10:30 p.m., instead of 11. He also asked for a [landscaping] makeover of the bayfront at that location.’ … The California Coastal Commission will need to rule on the project…. The new venue would host an increased number of shows, going from 37 paid events to 110. The biggest increase is in non-symphony events…. The symphony has played its Summer Pops shows at a May-to-September temporary stage on the site since 2004.”
Posted January 16, 2018
