Return to SOHO Home Page


About SOHO
Membership
Our Museums
Magazine
Tours & Events
Museum Shops
Preservation Links
Giving to SOHO
Historic Districts
Lost San Diego
Research your House
Resource Directory
In the News
Videos
Standards & Regs
Historic Designation
& Mills Act Facts
Most Endangered List of Historic Resources
People In Preservation Awards
Preservation & Sustainability
Affiliations
Reflections
Newsletter

2001 - Volume 32, Issue 3

Message from the Executive Director
San Diego for San Diegans Present and Future
By Bruce D. Coons

We continually hear our local politicians and developers saying we must build this or that project for all the people moving here, or the tourists, or the companies that want to locate here. But we never hear them say anything about doing something for the people who live here. What they and we should be asking each developer is what will their project do to enhance the quality of life for the people that have already chosen to live, work and invest here.

Will the project make conditions better or worse for current and future San Diegans? Will it preserve the special characteristics of our city and county? Will it restore a neglected landmark and provide for its continued preservation, use and upkeep? Will the new architecture inspire future generations to rally to preserve it? Will it fill a special need in an innovative way? Will it enhance an already beautiful scenic vista or the natural environment? Will it enhance our ties to our historic past while maintaining our own unique sense of place? Will it make life easier for our residents? Will it make our city more beautiful? Are we a better city for this project? In short, will it enhance our quality of life? If the project cannot meet these objectives it simply should not be built. We know only too well the alternatives; we see them all around us everyday. To be able to maintain our quality of life, what with the housing shortage, traffic problems, economy, etc., may seem like a tall order. However, it can and must be done if we are not to become another Los Angeles, or Miami, or any one of another dozen cities where you'd be hard pressed to tell which one you were in.

We need the vision and courage to become great. We must require a higher standard. We must rise to the occasion. We must have a San Diego designed for the people that live here. We must have a San Diego for San Diegans! With your help we can.

More from this issue


SOHO Home

email: SOHOSanDiego@aol.com

Copyright © 2000 , Save Our Heritage Organisation. Copyright Warning