Beautification Project Showcases the Work of Local Artists
The Redevelopment Agency of the city of San Diego held an event to unveil the Gateway Mural. The Gateway Mural was designed and installed in partnership with Urban Corps of San Diego County to beautify the North Bay Redevelopment Project Area while celebrating the area’s historical influences, prominent features, attractions and the people of the surrounding Midway and Old Town communities.
Mayor Jerry Sanders and Council President Pro Tem Faulconer were speakers at the event. Christopher Clifford, Chairman of the North Bay Project Area Committee served as emcee.
The 5,000-square-foot mural is located on the underpass of Interstate 5 at the corner of Rosecrans and Jefferson Streets within the North Bay Redevelopment Project Area. It depicts the area’s historical influences, prominent features and attractions and includes images of the five branches of the military present in San Diego; the Old Town State Historic Park; the San Diego River; the Coronado Bridge (representing nearby Caltrans); and the Urban Corps, a local youth conservation corps.
Sam Duran, CEO of the Urban Corps, conceptualized the mural last year as a local beautification project to remove blight and promote the positive neighborhood characteristics through the enhancement of one of the main gateways to Old Town, Midway and Point Loma for the benefit of the businesses, residents and visitors.
The mural artist, Sal Barajas, is perhaps best known for his original work at Chicano Park. Barajas worked closely with a team of youth Corpsmembers from the Urban Corps to complete the mural.
The young people took turns rotating into the mural crew, assisting in the preparation and installation of the work and learning the basics of how a mural is painted, while simultaneously being given the opportunity to earn a high school diploma at Urban Corps Charter School.
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