Ray Street Arts & Culture District Gets Facelift, Celebrates “Ray at Night” Anniversary
City Invests More Than $100,000 in Streetscape Improvements to Benefit Businesses, Shoppers, Art Patrons

SAN DIEGO – In an ongoing effort to revitalize San Diego’s older urban neighborhood commercial districts, the City of San Diego and community partners will celebrate the completion of significant streetscape improvements to the Ray Street Arts and Culture District in North Park during a ceremony on Saturday, September 11 at 5:30 p.m.  The ceremony will be immediately followed by the third anniversary celebration of the “Ray at Night” monthly gallery open house event from 6 p.m to 9 p.m.

The Ray Street Arts & Culture District is located in the heart of the historic North Park community, just south of University Avenue and east of 30^th Street.  The district features a collection of artists, such as painters, photographers, sculptors, and an expressive arts institute which showcase work in quaint storefronts that, combined with the new streetscape improvements, instantly evoke a sense of place with an obvious artistic flair.

Community improvements include 1,700 square feet of new sidewalks, curbs and gutters, 19 flowering street trees (a combination of evergreen pears and crepe myrtles) and a series of color-coordinated enhancements including decorative tree grates and guards, benches, trash receptacles, light poles and planters.  Combined, these improvements create a more pedestrian-friendly environment for patrons of this thriving arts community.

The City’s investment in the district is part of a commitment to revitalize older commercial districts in San Diego’s urban core.  The improvements to Ray Street came about through a collaboration of business and government.   Ray Street business owners worked on the design elements of the new improvements, funding was allocated by Deputy Mayor Toni Atkins using U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development loan proceeds and grants, street trees were provided as part of the Mayor’s Community Forest Initiative and project coordination was handled by the City’s Community and Economic Development Department.

“We’re very pleased with the results of this most recent improvement project for the North Park community,” said Deputy Mayor Toni Atkins, whose council district includes North Park.  “This truly is the product of teamwork. The businesses played a major role in designing the improvements, and with hard work from City staff, contractors and the BID Council, we were able to maximize limited funding available to achieve the highest level of enhancements possible.”

This latest project adds to the growing list of more than $120 million in redevelopment and revitalization efforts transforming North Park.   The City is partnering with developers on several new mixed-use housing developments, including the Renaissance at North Park and La Boheme, and is also working with a developer to renovate the historic North Park Theatre.  In addition, the City of San Diego has invested in significant streetscape improvements along University Avenue, which incorporate public art, lighting, landscaping, seating and new sidewalks with decorative tiles. 

The City has also worked to strengthen the business community, supporting the area’s Business Improvement District, Main Street program and other business development efforts.  Business owners have worked with the City to revitalize more than 30 storefronts to enhance the appearance of individual businesses and create a more vibrant neighborhood commercial district.

“Collectively, the efforts to revitalize this historic neighborhood are making a positive impact on North Park,” said Hank Cunningham, director of the City’s Community and Economic Development Department, which manages the City’s economic development and redevelopment efforts in the community.  “Residents and businesses are investing in the neighborhood and the sense of renewal is very apparent.”

Ray Street business owners definitely understand the importance of making improvements to their district.  In addition to playing a major role in the streetscape improvements, the business owners have rolled up their sleeves to revitalize their storefronts, clean up the sidewalks and gutters, paint and replant additional planters and empty trash on a regular basis.  All of these efforts contribute to a more inviting district, which highlights its offerings daily and every month during the “Ray at Night” gallery walk event.

“We’re very proud of the arts community that is growing in North Park, and specifically on Ray Street,” said Gustaf Rooth, Ray At Night founder and owner of Planet Rooth Studio/Gallery. “Our district is quite unique and is becoming an increasingly popular destination to enjoy and collect unique art works from local and visiting artists.  The new look and amenities on Ray Street enhance our identity and makes it much more inviting to visitors.”

The third anniversary of “Ray at Night,” the monthly gallery open house event, will feature a wide variety of art showcased at 15 galleries, wine tastings and other refreshments and music by the Latin Jazz Project.  For more information on “Ray at Night,” contact Brian Simpson, with the Sharp Gallery, at (619) 546-9546.

For more information on revitalization efforts in North Park and Neighborhood Revitalization projects in the City of San Diego, contact the Community and Economic Development Department at (619) 533-4233 or visit the City’s web site at www.sandiego.gov/ced.

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With an emphasis on the City’s urban core neighborhoods and low and moderate income residents, the Community and Economic Development Department strives to improve the quality of life and ensure a healthy economy in San Diego through job development, business development, neighborhood revitalization, public improvements, redevelopment, social services, and revenue enhancement.