Port Partners with SD Foundation on Bridge Lighting

Byline: The Log Staff SAN DIEGO — The Port of San Diego will collaborate with the San Diego Foundation on a funding strategy to pay for artist-designed lighting for the iconic San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge. The Board of Port Commissioners voted at their Nov. 13, 2012 meeting to provide $75,000 in seed funding to begin an outreach effort, with the goal of raising between $6 million and $8 million — the estimated amount that would be needed to design and construct programmable LED lighting for the bridge. A feasibility study will be conducted, once adequate funding is available. “I look forward to working with the San Diego Foundation on outreach efforts regarding this bold initiative to create a signature public artwork for San Diego Bay,” said Lou Smith, chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners. The public art project is a joint effort by the port and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Caltrans has jurisdiction over the 2.12-mile bridge, while the port is acting as the sponsor and lead agency for this project. The seed funding includes hiring a professional funding consultant to assist staff and a strategic volunteer force, and opening an account with the San Diego Foundation. The port and Caltrans entered into...