Recently, I attended a meeting of the Coronado Cultural Arts Commission at City Hall where among the many topics the committee representatives presented, there was discussion about the future of a precious piece of public art situated in the vacant property located at 925 Orange Avenue.
So, your eCoronado intern decided to do a little sleuthing to find out what is being planned for this large space, and if anything is being done to preserve the valuable mural .
An email to CAC Commissioner Heidi Wilson, who graciously replied while she was traveling, led me to the City Planning Department. After a phone call to Peter Fait, I learned there are firm plans underway for both the former Petco building and the mural.
Mr. Fait confirmed that a new Walgreens Pharmacy will be occupying this space, and will be completely remodeling it taking special care to “protect and preserve the mural” Mr. Fait said. He also mentioned that full construction plans have been submitted and are being reviewed.
A date for the opening of the national-chain pharmacy in Coronado has not been established yet.
The Petco building, which use to house the Home Savings of America in Coronado, holds a mural commissioned as part of the construction plans for the bank’s branch in Coronado. It seems that the mural was created in 1985 by artists Susan Hertel and Denis O’Connor. This artwork sits on a side wall at the front entrance to the building, and it depicts the bay commuter ferry surrounded by seagulls etched into the travertine with the colorful San Diego bay waves crashing into the hull. (Having personally worked on the Coronado Schools Foundation’s “River of Giving” mosaic located on the Coronado High School campus, I have a new-found appreciation for the work involved in creating such an art piece.)
The next time you are strolling by the old Petco retail site, remember to look up and appreciate one of Coronado’s public art treasures, and that you heard about the new Walgreen’s coming to Coronado here first!
Bianca Valle
Online Editorial Intern
eCoronado.com
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