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Grassroots Campaign Launched to Rename Coronado Bridge for Reagan

Vince Vasquez, economist with San Diego's National University System Institute for Policy Research, has launched a petition to rename the San Diego - Coronado Bridge after Ronald Reagan: Ronald Reagan - Coronado Bridge

eCoronado.com visited the official website and found this additional information:

The time is now to recognize the special connection that Ronald Reagan had with San Diego throughout his life. Public support is needed to dedicate a new landmark here in his honor. Sign the online petition to press our city, county and state public officials to dedicate the San Diego - Coronado Bay Bridge as the Ronald Reagan-Coronado Memorial Bay Bridge. It is urgent we receive your signature before February 6th, so that we can present them to the politicians who can push forward legislation to make the Reagan Bridge a reality.

eCoronado.com also reached out to Vince Vasquez and here is the response we received earlier today:

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Thank you for your email.

Yes - please inform your readers that I have begun reaching out to Coronado residents about the name change, and those I have spoken to have been supportive of the idea. I'm eager to speak with more residents about the proposal, and earn their support. The name change has great merits, and it is a worthy proposal for consideration.

I believe the name change strikes a balanced approach that is respectful of the bridge's identity as the "Coronado Bridge." The bridge still remains the "Coronado Bay Bridge," it's only the "San Diego -" part of the name that would be modified.

History has shown that President Reagan was a strong admirer of Coronado, and often vacationed with his wife Nancy at The Del. Reagan's special bond with Coronado spans decades. It was in fact during the planning for a trip to Coronado that a young Ronald Reagan realized Nancy Davis was the woman he wanted to be with (according to Reagan's autobiography).
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According to the website that hosts the petition:

Reagan's ties to the San Diego region extend beyond his presidency:

- The 1957 film "Hellcats of the Navy," which featured Ronald Reagan and his future wife Nancy Davis, was filmed in San Diego. It was the only film that starred both Ron and Nancy.
- On August 2nd, 1969, then-Governor Reagan gave the dedication speech for the San Diego-Coronado Bridge.
- Reagan was a frequent visitor to the Hotel Del Coronado during his terms as governor and president, and held events at the iconic hotel, including a meeting with the President of Mexico in 1986.
- Ronald Reagan nicknamed San Diego his "lucky city."
- Reagan won the majority of votes in San Diego County in the 1966 and 1970 gubernatorial elections, as well as the 1980 and 1984 presidential elections.
- San Diego has played host for many of the significant events and speeches that would mark the life of Ronald Reagan, including events at the El Cortez Hotel, UC San Diego, the Embarcadero, and the San Diego Concourse.
- Ronald Reagan ended both of his presidential campaigns in San Diego. When he joined George H.W. Bush on his 1988 presidential campaign, he shared with San Diegans the reason behind his special bond with our community:

"I closed both of my campaigns for the presidency right here in San Diego. And you see, there was a reason for that. You see, when the parades have ended, the shouting is over, the speeches are done, and the final bell has sounded, a fighter wants to return to his corner and be with his family and friends while he waits for the verdict of the judges. And whenever I finish in San Diego, I feel I'm with family, and I know I'm with friends. I love San Diego." - Ronald Reagan

Learn more about the petition here.

What do you think? Let us know in the comment area below.

Tags: coronado bridge, politics

1 member likes this

Comment by Whitney Benzian on January 31, 2011 at 7:14pm: I was under the impression that Gov. Pat Brown spearheaded construction of the bridge? Anyone know the answer?

Comment by Marva Cappello on January 31, 2011 at 7:43pm: NO! NO! NO!

Comment by eCoronado on January 31, 2011 at 8:00pm: Details on the cost and if the name change will be permanent:

Caltrans says the signage costs usually range from $4K-$8K, but for the Coronado Bay Bridge, it will be higher, as there will be costs for replacing existing signage. The name modification would be permanent. - Vince Vasquez

Comment by Tina Baser Lee Shoys on January 31, 2011 at 8:10pm: Actually, it was Pat Brown who was in office during the planning phase of the bridge construction. He left office in January, 1967 and construction on the bridge began the next month, February. The approval and planning process had to have been under Governor Brown.

Comment by eCoronado on January 31, 2011 at 8:13pm: Whitney, Gov. Edmund "Pat" Brown was deeply involved....here are some past stories we dug up with details:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070622/news_1n22bridge.html

The bridge has provoked strong emotions before. When it was proposed, many Coronado residents opposed it. In April 1958, city residents voted 2,224-1,528 against its construction.

And while it was delayed a few more years, former Gov. Edmund G. “Pat” Brown went to Washington and convinced President Lyndon Johnson that the bridge was a good idea. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved the project in 1965.

http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/2701

Several prominent locals, some of whom were associated with the launching of the bridge project in the 1960s, say that pledges were made to remove the tolls once the bonds were paid off. Governor Ronald Reagan’s name is invoked as someone who “promised the tolls would go” once the original bonds were retired.

Scott says they have searched and never been able to find any documentary evidence of any such promises, but he says no one is going to challenge the assertions of those who were around at the time. [The Reagan-promise story is probably bogus because although Reagan was governor when the bridge opened in August 1969, all the tough decisions on its construction and toll financing were made under Governor Edmund (Pat) Brown. Also the major history “Coronado: the Enchanted Island” makes no mention of any pledges to end tolls.]

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080825/news_1m25jenkins.html

Pat Brown's Damn Bridge. That's what grouchy nostalgics called the huge brontosaurus rib suspended over the bay.

http://articles.latimes.com/1985-12-25/news/vw-21242_1_coronado-bridge

Former Gov. Pat Brown and John Alessio, past owner of the Hotel del Coronado.

Alessio, one of Brown's biggest, wealthiest supporters, decided that, to finance the building of a bridge, bonds would have to be sold. To sell bonds, all sources of competition--meaning the ferry boat--would have to be dry docked. After all, who would pay the ticket for a giant bridge if a little ferry was chug-chug-chugging away, taking would-be toll payers to where the bridge would take them--San Diego.

According to Mary Kay Forsyth, executive vice president of the Coronado Chamber of Commerce, Brown and Alessio left open the possibility of ferry service resuming--once the bridge was paid off. The anticipated date of that was 2001.

Comment by Kevin Queen on January 31, 2011 at 8:22pm: What?? Vince must have too much time on his hands. Naming a bridge is pretty simple and logical by using both landings name's and everyone knows where it is and what part of land it connects. Just leave things alone!!

Comment by CECILIA A. CASEY (Cece) on February 1, 2011 at 7:27am: What? why name it for him? Good heavens - there is no one else it can be named after? And why at this late date are we talking about naming this bridge?

C Casey

Comment by Vicky Lambert on February 1, 2011 at 7:45am: Thanks Steve for digging up the history to set the record straight. I am with Kevin on this -- a bridge should be named for the landings. But more than that, the bridge is part of our identity... home is on the other side. And for the tourism business, it keeps things easily communicated (and think about all the reprinting of materials that would have to happen!)

Our bridge is not a Navy vessel needing a name.... it already has one.

Comment by Marla English on February 1, 2011 at 8:13am: So sorry to those who think this is a good idea, but the bridge has a name and we should be using our time and energy on something way more important. World hunger or helping our neighbor that lost his job for a few.

Comment by Camille Guerin Boatwright on February 1, 2011 at 9:48am: Associating Coronado or San Diego with partisan politics is not a healthy decision for either community. Let's stay out of the ugly polarization that never seems to stop in this country. Please keep our community out of the fray and remain a peaceful,beautiful place to live and vacation.