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October 2, 2007 Hillcrest Selected One of 10 Great Neighborhoods in America San Diego's First Suburb: Diverse, Urbane, and Trendsetting SAN DIEGO, CA — The American Planning Association (APA) announced today that the Hillcrest Neighborhood in San Diego, California, has been designated one of 10 Great Neighborhoods for 2007 through APA's Great Places in America program. APA Great Places exemplify exceptional character and highlight the role planners and planning play in creating communities of lasting value.
"We are honored that one of our most historic and dynamic neighborhoods is being recognized on a national level," San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders said. "Through a truly strong collaboration of residents, businesses and government, our efforts in community planning and neighborhood revitalization continue to enhance the quality of life in San Diego." "On behalf of the Hillcrest neighborhood, I am thrilled to receive this honor recognizing Hillcrest as one of America's 'Great Places,'" added San Diego Councilmember Toni Atkins. "This community is a diverse and vibrant urban village and is a unique and special place to live and do business. The award is well-deserved." APA selected Hillcrest as one of 10 Great Neighborhoods in America because of its legacy of activism and trendsetting. Considered one of San Diego's most urbane neighborhoods, it has been and continues to be a source of social, cultural, and political influence, particularly for gays and lesbians. "Hillcrest is exceptional for many reasons, including its early architecture, smart growth-oriented redevelopment, and what it's done to accommodate pedestrians," said APA Executive Director Paul Farmer, FAICP. "Most important, however, are its residents and leaders, the people who've worked together to make Hillcrest the wonderful and memorable neighborhood that it is." From its start in 1907, experimental ideas and practices have taken hold here. Hillcrest was one of the places where the progressive designs of Arts and Crafts–influenced architect Irving Gill were built during the early 20th century. The neighborhood also has works by Hazel Waterman and Lillian Rice, who were among the first women to practice architecture in the U.S. Eclectic and village-like, Hillcrest is just north of the world's most famous zoo and the adjoining Balboa Park cultural museum complex. There are tree-lined streets, and the commercial district has antique stores, specialty shops, bookstores, and entertainment venues. Residents are highly engaged, from organizing clean-up events to getting involved with local planning issues and hosting one of the largest Gay Pride festivals. Hillcrest activism and trendsetting were demonstrated when residents sought in the mid-1990s to replace a closed foot bridge at Vermont Street. Highway officials refused to approve the project because it would not serve motor vehicles. Undeterred, residents turned to the San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture for funds. A new footbridge was built — but as a "work of public art." Since then city officials have adopted a more accepting view of pedestrians, and today the city has a separate Pedestrian Master Plan. The neighborhood also is where a shuttered Sears store in 1990 became one of the country's first compact, pedestrian-oriented and mixed-use redevelopments. Involving more than 200,000 square feet, the Uptown District project attracted national attention as an early model of "smart growth" — where low-density, obsolete sites in suburban-like locations are redeveloped for higher density commercial, retail, residential, and community uses. Hillcresters have much to celebrate during their centennial anniversary this year, not the least of which are residents' past accomplishments and commitment to ensure where they live remains the city's most diverse, vibrant, and urbane neighborhood. The nine other APA Great Neighborhoods for 2007 are Chatham Village, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Eastern Market Neighborhood, Washington, D.C.; Elmwood Village, Buffalo, New York; First Addition Neighborhood, Lake Oswego, Oregon; North Beach, San Francisco, California; Old West Austin, Austin, Texas; Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York; Pike Place Market Neighborhood, Seattle, Washington; and West Urbana, Urbana, Illinois. For more information about these neighborhoods, and the list of APA's 10 Great Streets for 2007, visit www.planning.org/greatplaces. This year's 10 Great Streets and 10 Great Neighborhoods will be celebrated as part of APA's National Community Planning Month, in October 2007, designed to recognize and celebrate the many residents, leaders, officials, and professionals who contribute to making great communities. For more about National Community Planning Month, visit www.planning.org/ncpm. Contacts |
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