After more than two decades, the City of Vista’s vision to revitalize the downtown corridor along South Santa Fe Avenue has come to fruition. The area, known as Paseo Santa Fe, encompasses the stretch of road along S. Santa Fe Avenue between Vista Village Drive and Civic Center Drive. Construction on the final phase of the Paseo Santa Fe improvement project has been completed with the project contractors finishing minor construction items as part of the project punch list by early 2021.
The northbound side of the road has been opened, allowing for the flow of two-way traffic along the corridor. A new arch marking the entrance into the Paseo Santa Fe corridor from Civic Center Drive was unveiled on December 15 to signal the completion of the project. The arch is topped with a hummingbird, which is the City’s official bird, with the word VISTA underneath, the Main Street arch was updated to match the new arch. The Paseo Santa Fe corridor is now anchored by two arches, marking the entrance from Civic Center Drive and the other from Main Street.
“This is a very momentous occasion in the City of Vista,” said Mayor Judy Ritter. “The newly finished Paseo Santa Fe corridor complements our downtown district and enhances our community. Our local downtown businesses and neighborhoods will benefit, as well as those who drive along the newly refurbished street.”
A sculpture titled “Portal” was installed on December 14 in the third roundabout, located at Pala Vista Drive. The “Portal” artwork depicts a hummingbird inside of an arch with flowers on each side of the structure’s base and was created by local artist Alex Gall. The full construction of the roundabout is expected in the winter of 2021/22 due to difficulties with purchasing an adjacent private street easement.
“While the benefits are considerable, the City understands the construction has impacted residents and businesses,” said Mayor Ritter. “We appreciate the public and local business owners’ patience as we worked to improve the downtown core. This vision has now become a reality and will have long lasting benefits for our community for years to come.”
The City’s vision is to fill the area with retail/shops/restaurants topped with living spaces to revitalize the downtown area. Construction took place in three stages. Phase I was completed in 2016. Phase II was completed in May, 2020 and the majority of the work for Phase III has been completed. The concept was to create a pedestrian-friendly thoroughfare by narrowing the road from four lanes to two, adding wide sidewalks, public art, gathering spaces, and creating roundabouts to slow traffic.
Elements of the Paseo Santa Fe Arches
Aluminum framing and scrolling, mounted over a curved steel 14″x14″ beam
Internally illuminated with LED lighting
60 ft. span from column to column
Beam is welded to steel plates on the column
Sign height, 13′-10″ at the column and 19′-10″ at the center
Columns are tapered, reinforced concrete with a travertine finish
Each column is supported with a foundation comprised of two reinforced concrete piles 2 ft. round and 15 ft. deep.
