Officials Unveil Visionary Plan for Car-Free Zone in Balboa Park, San Diego

A rendering of the plans for the Central Plaza of Balboa ParkSan Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders and Qualcomm co-founder Irwin Jacobs unveiled a visionary $33 million plan to remove cars from the central square of San Diego's historic Balboa Park.  They hope to raise the funds to complete the plan by the park's 100th birthday in 2015.  The plan would open up the heart of the park to a pedestrian friendly climate where children could play free of fear of passing vehicles in a clean and inviting atmosphere.  To bring this vision to reality, the city would have to remove sixty seven spaces of free parking.

The media is very concerned about the removal of the public parking spaces, even though the plan would add a 900 space parking garage to the south of the park. However, to add to the media outrage, if Sanders and Jacobs are unable to raise the $33 million from private interests, they might have to charge for parking in the planned 900 space parking garage. 

With the success of the car-free zone in Times Square in New York City, as well as the potential pedestrian only park in San Diego, it raises the question of where should Los Angeles put it's no-car zone? Comment with your suggestions and thoughts.