The long awaited renovation of San Jacinto Plaza will begin this month. That’s according to the City’s Engineering and Construction Management Department. An open house was held in June which presented the City’s final plan to the public.
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| The City's master plan for San Jacinto Plaza. (facebook.com/EPTXEngineering) |
The plan includes many of the same amenities promoted throughout its different phases, including more shade trees, sidewalk benches, and an outdoor café with an adjacent seating area. Chess and game tables will be added as well as a horseshoe pit.
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| This rendering shows the center of the park, including the reflecting pool and "Sunner's Plaza." |
Also included will be a "splash deck" with interactive water features, an arroyo that runs underneath a walkway in the southeastern quadrant, and a central stage overlooking the reflecting pool/sculpture area in the center of the park.
The live pine tree that serves as the City’s Christmas tree will remain along with the famed Los Lagartos sculpture at the center of the plaza. A new shade structure will protect the statue and visitors viewing the public art.
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| The Los Lagartos sculpture will be protected from the sun by a new shade canopy. |
Pathways will still take pedestrians diagonally and laterally through the park. The parking lane that currently lines each side of the park will be used to expand the plaza. This will allow outer sidewalks to be lined with shade trees on each side of the pathway, creating "promenades."
Construction is slated to last for 18 months which will force the City’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony and parade to temporarily relocate. The master plan was developed in partnership with SWA Landscape Architecture (swagroup.com).