A New Brand and Image for the Gaslamp Quarter

Gaslamp Promenade Vision

Reinventing the Gaslamp Quarter is intended to transform the area’s image, welcome and engage more visitors and to prioritize pedestrians instead of vehicles, and to create a world-class entertainment district that will: drive increased revenue for both existing and future businesses, anchor and welcome Convention Center visitors 

The Gaslamp Quarter Association has been working closely with businesses (restaurants, retail, hotels), service providers, local officials, residents and other stakeholders.  

The Gaslamp Promenade will reinvent Fifth Avenue into eight distinctive plazas (from L Street to Broadway), fostering community by building a place for social connections, conversation, dining and entertainment.  The planning and stakeholder engagement have been underway for several years, and the project plans were approved in December 2019.  

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Pandemic Pivot

Curbside Gaslamp was established this spring, allowing Gaslamp restaurants to extended their patios onto the sidewalks and beyond creating ‘Parklets’ where workers, residents and visitors can enjoy a safe indoor-outdoor experience.  

Wednesday through Sunday - through 2021- Fifth Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic from L St. to Market St. on Wednesdays, and from L St. to F St. on Thursdays through Sundays.  Fifth Avenue is now a Scooter-Free Zone!  

In some respects the Pandemic is speeding the development process and allowing us all to have a preview of the planned Promenade !  

Promenade Features 

  • Limited vehicular access (Fifth Avenue pedestrian-only during the day).  Access for emergency, sanitation and suppliers will be allowed at off-hours and will be controlled by bollards.  

  • Removal of 146 parking spots on Fifth Avenue, leaving nearly 7000 spaces available within a 5 minute walk 

  • New tree placement, landscaping, drainage, lighting and public art activations

  • New signage to mark the top of the Gaslamp Quarter at E Street.  FUN FACT: when the Gaslamp Quarter was originally developed, they envisioned signage demarking the four corners of the district, however funds were available for only one sign – the iconic arch at Fifth Avenue and K Street

 Next Steps

Securing funds for the $40M project is underway.  The vast majority expected to come from grants, with a few private donations and corporate sponsorships.  You can find more information and a video of the proposed vision at www.gaslamp.org

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MichaelTrimble

Executive Director

Gaslamp Quarter Association

About our Speaker

An energetic, forward thinking professional with an extensive record of community involvement and leadership roles within Downtown San Diego, Michael Trimble currently serves as Executive Director of the Gaslamp Quarter Association (GQA).  In this role, Michael drives innovative neighborhood-based initiatives and builds consensus among business owners, residents, and government leaders. Prior to this Michael served on the GQA Board of Directors for over twenty years representing American Express, wherein he managed some of the largest San Diego restaurant, financial, entertainment, and cultural accounts.

It is Michael’s goal to shepherd the Gaslamp Quarter into its next phase of growth and development.  With a renewed focus on neighborhood pride and community engagement the Gaslamp Quarter is quickly becoming a premier destination for international and national travelers.

 

Friends of Downtown