It's hard to believe Quartyard, East Village's urban park and music venue, was only around for two years before being forced to relocate and make way for a major downtown development on the lot it once occupied at 1102 Market St.
In May, we reported on Quartyard's procurement of a new lease on life at 13th and Market, but its opening still depends largely on the outcome of a hearing at the Civic San Diego Board Room (401 B St., Suite 400) on Wednesday, Aug. 16, at 1 p.m.
In order to approve the opening of the new Quartyard at this final hearing, the planning commission must deny an appeal made against the development of the new space. According to Quartyard's online campaign, public support -- showing up and/or signing the online petition -- goes a long way toward making #YourCityBlock come to life again.
It's been quite a tumultuous year for the unique venue (made largely of freight containers), which offered a full bar, food, outdoor games, a dog park and a giant stage that's seen the likes of electronic acts Zeds Ded and Skrillex, rapper Chingy and indie artists Anthony Green, Swimm and Borns. Quartyard's shown plenty of love for local bands too, with Swim Team having played the venue's grand opening on March 7, 2015.
In July, it looked liked one of East Village's most popular public spaces was doomed by a high-rise, but if Quartyard is able to come out on top at this final hearing, then it'll be up and running again by late 2017.
Rutger Rosenborg was almost a Stanford neuroscientist before he formed Ed Ghost Tucker. Whoops. He now plays in the Lulls and makes music on his own when he's not writing. Follow his updates on Facebook or contact him directly.
