City of San Diego plans to renovate and reopen Starlight Bowl in Balboa Park

The City of San Diego has issued a request for proposals to lease and renovate the Starlight Bowl.

The Ford Motor Company built the amphitheater in 1935 as a place to showcase automobiles during the California Pacific International Exposition. The San Diego Civic Light Opera hosted musical performances there for decades, with the last performance taking place in 2010.

In his address on the state of Balboa Park Thursday night, Mayor Todd Gloria said he was ready to bring it back.

“It is high time to restore this special corner of the Palisades and return it to productive use for the benefit of the community so that many lifelong memories can finally be created here again,” he said.

Courtesy of the City of San Diego

In his announcementThe city said it was looking for “innovative ideas” to better integrate the theater into the architectural design of Balboa Park.

The Request for quotation also points out one of the biggest challenges regarding the location of the Starlight Bowl: its proximity to the flight path of San Diego International Airport.

Proposals must be submitted by November 14th.

Gloria said the city will also seek proposals for the Village Grill, the restaurant kiosk between the Spanish Village and the Junior Theater.