WHY BALBOA PARK MUST CHANGE TO STAY GREAT
When the Panama Canal opened more than 100 years ago, San Diego placed itself on the global map when local leaders decided to plan an ambitious international exposition based in what is now known as Balboa Park. They did so under considerable pressure from state and federal authorities, who perceived San Francisco to be a more desirable exposition location. In the end, many of the park’s iconic structures would not have happened if not for the bold leadership of a group of individuals with a vision for the park’s future.
Balboa Park is one of the most iconic urban parks in the United States. It is unique in terms of the function it serves and the convergence of major cultural institutions and community use within the park. According to the 2017 Balboa Park Benefits Study, commissioned by the Balboa Park Conservancy, the park’s annual economic impact is $356 million, which includes spending by tourists in and around Balboa Park on food, lodging, and restaurants. When the San Diego Zoo is taken into consideration, the park’s total fiscal impact tops $2 billion annually.
For all the value it brings our community, a decentralized decision-making framework has led to decades of underfunding, which has resulted in an estimated $444.2 million needed for park systems and infrastructure that would either reach the end of their expected life cycles or would require significant maintenance by 2036.
Balboa Park’s governance and fiscal models worked at one time but now require a refresh to meet current and future demands. When many of these institutions were constructed for the Panama-California Exhibition in 1915 and 1916, San Diego’s population was less than 40,000. Our region has grown substantially, and if we want Balboa Park to continue to be a source of pride and an economic generator, then we need to seriously look at how Balboa Park is run and funded.
The recent history of managing Balboa Park makes clear that no single solution exists to solve the governance and finance issues. Rather, city and county governments, organizations that operate within Balboa Park, the communities surrounding the park, and the larger San Diego community need to consider a variety of options in combination with one another to reimagine, restore, and maintain the park in perpetuity.
In keeping with our mission, the Burnham Center for Community Advancement — or BCCA — recently released an extensive paper titled “Preparing for Balboa Park’s Next 100 Years.”
It provides specific recommendations for meaningful action. We do not advocate for one specific solution over another, but we do advocate that an effort be taken up with energy, urgency, and a commitment to creating and implementing a new approach. The report outlines key recommendations for consideration:
A revenue measure for deferred maintenance either by the city of San Diego, the county of San Diego or a joint powers authority.
A commitment by the city of San Diego to dedicate a certain portion of Transient Occupancy Tax revenue to Balboa Park maintenance and infrastructure annually.
A commitment by a lead organization and other nonprofit organizations within the park to raise significant funds annually for ongoing park maintenance.
A Property and Business Improvement District for the Balboa Park area to focus on issues associated with park adjacency.
Additional commercial activity in and near the park, generating additional revenue for park maintenance and upgrades without compromising the quality of the visitor experience.
Creation of a Balboa Park stakeholder oversight committee.
Creation of a separate cabinet-level city department for Balboa Park.
Ideally, this renewed effort would coincide with San Diego-Tijuana’s designation as World Design Capital in 2024, when we showcase to the world what we can do when we commit to improving our region and providing dedicated community space for all to come together. Other cities have found ways to care for their parks and cultural icons, which means it only takes the will to act collectively. The World Design Capital designation shares many of the characteristics of the leadership that it took to bring the Panama-California Exposition to San Diego. A small but dedicated group of local leaders took on Moscow, Russia, to win the title of World Design Capital and we are now designing and planning events that will take place throughout 2024. The reimagining and restoration of Balboa Park can play a central role in that effort.
Let’s come together as a region to create a path forward: city, county, residents, park institutions, neighbors, tourism and business. Together, we can ensure this civic treasure remains among our greatest cultural and natural assets for future generations.
Balboa Park’s governance and fiscal models worked at one time but now require a refresh to meet current and future demands.