Tag: government

Workers install engraved name pavers at Broadway Pier.

Workers have begun to install the first paver bricks dedicated to people, businesses or organizations at the foot of San Diego's Broadway Pier.
Workers have begun to install the first paver “bricks” dedicated to people, businesses or organizations at the foot of San Diego’s Broadway Pier.

I was walking along San Diego’s waterfront after work today, enjoying what remained of daylight, when I spied some sort of construction underway at the foot of the Broadway Pier. I moseyed over to check it out.

I discovered that the first of the custom pavers are being installed by the Port of San Diego, in the wide new plaza at the pier’s entrance. Anyone can sponsor a paver “brick” and have a name engraved upon it for posterity. Phrases such as “In memory of,” “In celebration of,” “In honor of,” “Sponsored by,” “Established in,” and “Dedicated to” are allowed. Plaques on furniture such as tables, chairs and benches can also be customized with a name of your choosing. A tall stack of pavers was ready to be installed, so it looks to me like the Port of San Diego is off to a good start!

Interested? Check out sdportwalk.org for further details!

San Diego’s North Embarcadero, often referred to as the city’s front porch, has undergone enormous improvements in recent years. I’ve lived downtown for 15 years, and the waterfront is more beautiful, friendly and functional than ever. But additional phases in its revitalization await completion. According to the Port of San Diego website, money that is raised will help fund future improvements and developments on the Embarcadero.

Anyone can place their name on a permanent paver to help support improvements to the North Embarcadero. Custom plaques on furniture, like public benches and tables, are also available.
Anyone can place their name on a permanent paver to help support improvements to the North Embarcadero. Custom plaques on furniture, like public benches and tables, are also available.
Some of the first pavers are engraved with the names of VIPs. Included are the current Mayor, several Port of San Diego officials, and City Council President.
Some of the first pavers are engraved with the names of VIPs. Included are the current Mayor, several Port of San Diego officials, and City Council President.
Smiling Port of San Diego guys explained to me a little about this ongoing project. Ultimately, legacy paving blocks will stretch in a band across the entrance to Broadway Pier.
Smiling Port of San Diego guys explained to me a little about this ongoing project. Ultimately, these legacy “paving blocks” will stretch in a band across the entrance to Broadway Pier.
Looking east down Broadway from the foot of the pier, on San Diego's constantly improving, very beautiful Embarcadero.
Looking east down Broadway from the foot of the pier, on San Diego’s continually improving, very beautiful Embarcadero.

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San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorial.

Flags above San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorial.
Flags above San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorial.

The large new waterfront park around San Diego’s County Administration Building contains an important memorial in a prominent location. The San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorial is a glass wall etched with the names of fallen officers. It used to be situated on a patch of lawn a bit south of where it now stands. The beautiful memorial was created by the San Diego County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, the San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation, and the County of San Diego.

Wreath placed before the names of fallen officers.
Wreath placed before the names of fallen officers.
Glass wall memorial in park by County Administration Building.
Glass wall memorial in park by County Administration Building.
Remembering those who fell in the line of duty.
Remembering those who fell in the line of duty.

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Photos of San Diego County Administration Building.

san diego county administration building

This unmistakable landmark has been photographed a million times. Now make it a million and one.

Yes, it’s the San Diego County Administration Center.

Finished in 1938, designed by several renowned local architects including William Templeton Johnson, Richard Requa and Louis John Gill, the historic building is Spanish Revival/Streamline Moderne in style with Beaux-Arts classical touches.

It stands overlooking the Embarcadero, just across Harbor Drive, not far from the Star of India.

For several decades it also served as the Civic Center of San Diego. Today, a large public park is being developed on either side of the building, where parking lots recently existed. I considered posting a photo of the construction, but all you’d see is dirt and bulldozers.

County Administration Building seen from Pacific Highway.
County Administration Building seen from Pacific Highway.

The first two pics are of the building’s east side, which faces downtown’s Little Italy. The other pics from the very similar west side I took during a walk along the Embarcadero on a later day…

Looking up at the west entrance of San Diego County Administration Building.
Looking up at the west entrance of San Diego County Administration Building.
Tiles depict fish, Navy ships on the bay, Mission San Diego, Balboa Park and an airplane.
Tiles depict fish, Navy ships on the bay, Mission San Diego, Balboa Park and an airplane.
Ornamental column near entrance with eagle on top.
Ornamental column near entrance with eagle on top.
View from the west, across Harbor Drive.
View from the west, across Harbor Drive.

UPDATE!

Here are a couple more pics. I took these with a newer camera many years later. These are on the east side of the building, where there is a plaza, shady benches and two fountains. Domes featuring a beautiful tile mosaic in the American Southwest style attract the eye at either end of the building. I’m looking north in the next photo…