Cultural Outreach: San Diego
San Diego: Port Commissioners Authorizes Negotiations with Symphony on Proposal for Permanent Waterfront Venue
The Port of San Diego is considering a proposal by the San Diego Symphony to construct a permanent outdoor concert venue in the park where it has operated a Summer Pops concert series since 2004. The port district board voted at its January 16 meeting to direct staff to further explore and study the project, including an environmental review, and to commence negotiations with the symphony.
"This is a unique opportunity to provide a permanent home for waterfront concerts for one of our most beloved institutions, the San Diego Symphony, and reaffirm the port's commitment to the arts," said Port of San Diego Chairman Marshall Merrifield. "Our board made the decision to move this proposal forward because of its potential to attract people to the waterfront and be a positive development for the entire San Diego region."
Performing arts events are among the many activities that take place in the port’s 22 public parks.
The San Diego Symphony is a tax-exempt nonprofit that has operated a summer concert series in the port’s Embarcadero Marina Park South since 2004. Each year, the Symphony assembles and disassembles a "music-festival"-style stage, bleachers, seating, ticketing booths, concession stands, food stands, bathrooms and other items, along with a chain-link fence, for the summer season.
The symphony proposes investing approximately $20-$25 million to construct the permanent facility in the same park. The new venue could be utilized year-round and made available for other events, filling a gap as a venue for medium-sized concerts and events in the region. This facility is anticipated to increase visitors to the waterfront, in line with the port’s mission.
An environmental review is the next step.
Concept rendering of proposed Permanent Waterfront Venue for the San Diego Symphony
Source: Port of San Diego