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Horton Plaza Grand Opening Speech by Bruce Coons
Save Our Heritage Organisation is committed to preserving San Diego's historic and culturally significant resources. Nowhere is this work on greater display than here at Horton Plaza Park.
Alonzo Horton originally intended the plaza for use by his guests, staying at the Horton House Hotel, as well as a public gathering area. Now, with the renovation of Horton Plaza Park, one of San Diego's oldest civic landmarks,  the historic Irving Gill fountain has been restored to its original condition and function.
Many important public events have taken place here. One some of you might remember was on November 2, 1960, when a standing-room-only crowd filled the streets to hear then-Senator John F. Kennedy make a last-minute appeal for votes just days before the 1960 Presidential election.
In 2011, the San Diego City Council unanimously voted to approve a true public-private partnership between Westfield and the City of San Diego. How many times have you seen a retailer give up this much square footage for the public? We hope it will be a model for the future.
For those of you who were here for the ground breaking in 2012, we put together a time capsule. A plaque marking its location sits behind us. The capsule contains contributions from a kindergarten class that drew pictures of their favorite place in San Diego, and a fourth grade class that wrote messages to the future Mayor of San Diego in 2064. That capsule ensures this park's rich history remains a part of its future, just the way it should be.
Over the years SOHO has fought many battles to preserve this historic park, more than for any other single landmark. That is why the historic Irving Gill fountain became our logo.
We would like to commend Westfield (who embraced the restoration of this important place from the very beginning), the city and all of the supporters who have made this very historic day possible.
This is the day we have all been waiting for, the day when Horton Plaza is returned to its glory—a day to remember.
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