Reconnecting San Diego Communities Across I‑5
Illustration by Wren McDonald
1989
Year Codified in Community Plans
30
Acres of Additional Park Space
2028
Break Ground Target Date
Background:
Interstate 5 cuts through downtown San Diego and surrounding areas, dividing historic neighborhoods and severing them from each other, downtown, Balboa Park, and shared community resources.
Who
San Diego Commons was formed in 2019 by concerned citizens to address this issue.
What
Freeway Lids An effort to cover the freeway with community amenities in park-like settings.
Where
Along I-5 in the heart of San Diego.
When
As soon as possible – targeting 2028.
Why
To create a healthier and more beautiful environment for San Diego.
What is a Freeway Lid?
Glad you asked! Also known as freeway covers, these are concrete decks constructed over a road. Lids reconnect neighborhoods and provide much-needed open space.
Some case studies:
- San Diego Teralta Park on I-15
- Seattle Lid I-5
- Los Angeles Hollywood Central Park
About
San Diego Commons was formed to advance many years of grassroots efforts to heal this divide. We aim to cover specific freeway trenches along the I-5 in the core of San Diego with parkland – reconnecting underserved communities with accessible, desirable open space.
Throughout the nation and the world, communities are engaged in similar efforts. Perhaps the best California example is “Hollywood Central Park” covering US 101 with a 38-acre deck park currently progressing through Environmental Impact Review (EIR) and the planning approval process.
Our focus is on four freeway covers identified in the Downtown San Diego, Southeastern San Diego, and Barrio Logan community plans:
1
Sherman Heights to East Village from Market Street to J Street
2
Balboa Park and Bankers Hill to downtown from Cortez Hill east of 6th Avenue to 2nd Avenue
3
Barrio Logan to Logan Heights between Sampson Street and National Avenue
4
Barrio Logan to Logan Heights between 30th Street and 32nd Street
Our Leadership
2023 Board of Directors
2023 Advisory Council
Bill Anderson
Brendan Bargmann
Noura Bishay
Howard Blackson
James Brown
James Burnett
Gregory de Peña
Vicky Estrada
Larry Herzog
Brendan Bargmann
Noura Bishay
Howard Blackson
James Brown
James Burnett
Gregory de Peña
Vicky Estrada
Larry Herzog
Carol Kim
Laurie Madigan
Brett Payton
Martin Poirier
Denise Price
Ashley Rodriguez
Ralph Rosling
René Smith
Mike Stepner
Laurie Madigan
Brett Payton
Martin Poirier
Denise Price
Ashley Rodriguez
Ralph Rosling
René Smith
Mike Stepner
We want to hear from you!
Our goal is to work in alignment with the community. Please get in touch here:
Tell us what you think:
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Nonprofit Status: San Diego Commons is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization with the State of California. All donations are tax-deductible. Tax ID: 83-4204024