Keep the Bazaar del Mundo in Old Town San Diego

Please reconsider granting the lease on the Bazaar del Mundo site to New York's Delaware North Companies, Inc.

Old Town San Diego was the birthplace of California over 230 years ago.

Thirty-two years ago Diane Powers was the mid-wife who brought the Bazaar del Mundo to life in Old Town and in the process saved the economic and cultural life of the entire area.

Today Diane, San Diego and millions of world travelers are faced with the destruction of what has grown to become the heart and soul of this community. California stands to lose the most lucrative park concession in the entire state.


California's Department of Parks & Recreation own Web site describes the Bazaar del Mundo as:

"A popular labyrinth of 16 specialty boutiques, five international restaurants and year-round cultural activities, the Bazaar has been recognized by the California Department of Tourism, the San Diego Restaurant Association, the American Institute of Architects and others for its outstanding contributions to culture and tourism."

"Today, with its lush gardens, sparkling fountains and Early California ambiance, the Bazaar celebrates Old San Diegos rich Hispanic heritage. Annual community events, such as the Latin American Festival and Old Towns popular Fiesta Cinco de Mayo, heighten the Latin experience, along with weekly folkloric entertainment and the Bazaars acclaimed Mexican restaurants."

"Although most remembered for its distinctly Latin flavor and ambiance, the Bazaar del Mundo (literally meaning 'marketplace of the world') also takes visitors beyond the South-of-the-border fare with events, exhibits and merchandise from many lands and cultures. The Bazaars specialty shops overflow with treasures from around the globe."

In my opinion, if Delaware North lives up to its potential to completely cover over the Bazaar del Mundo site with new construction, at least 500 employees will be displaced in the process and dozens of nearby business will suffer through lost foot traffic along with hundreds of suppliers who will face lost orders. Can this be worth the few extra dollars the State of California MAY receive during the life of the lease? I think not.

Franklin Garrett, official historian of Atlanta said, on Coca-Colas announcement that it was changing its secret formula after 99 years: "My first reaction was that it seems to me they are fixin something that aint broke. I never saw anything wrong with it to start with."
Likewise, there is nothing "wrong" with Old Town San Diego's Bazaar del Mundo!

Please reconsider granting the lease on the Bazaar del Mundo site to New York's Delaware North Companies, Inc.