A seven-block stretch of downtown San Diego permanently became a largely pedestrian-only plaza on Saturday in an effort by the city to lure more visitors to the Gaslamp Quarter and keep them safe when they get there.
Some issues are still being working out, including whether to allow pedal-operated vehicles known as pedicabs on the promenade. Still, the ban was phased in Saturday as workers placed steel bollards, or movable posts, at the ends of each block. Motor vehicles and pedicabs also were temporarily banned along different sections of Fifth Avenue five days a week during the pandemic, which played a major role in the passage of the permanent ban that began Saturday.A large section of Fifth Avenue did not close to traffic on time. Several older and now incorrect traffic signs were still in place. And there were no major entertainment events around the noon hour to herald the start of a new era.
A short distance away, Pola Allen, of San Diego, was setting out hand-crafted items at the Gaslamp Artisans Market booth, and she was feeling optimistic.