Picturesque parking structure called a monument to community
By Gary Warth | March 22, 2016
SAN DIEGO — Parking structures generally are not considered a symbol of community pride, but this is no ordinary garage.
At noon Wednesday, civic and education leaders will join community members from Barrio Logan to dedicate the Chavez Car Park, the 320-space garage that serves the Cesar Chavez campus of San Diego Community College District’s Continuing Education, which opened in September.
The building is wrapped with historical photos shot by Carlos LeGerrette, one-time assistant to Chavez and executive director of Cesar Chavez Services Clubs, a leadership development and community services organization. “I’ll predict that within a very short time, they’ll just call it, ‘The Monument,’” LeGerrette said about the garage, which has been referred to as “The Chavez Community Monument.”
While working with Chavez in the 1960s and early 1970s, LeGerrette photographed boycotts, rallies and other activities by the United Farm Workers. Eight of his black-and-white pictures were blown up to cover two sides of the structure.
Photos include a picture of musician and singer Ramon “Chunky” Sanchez, who is scheduled to perform at the ceremony along with Jose Villarino and the Rondalla Amerindia.
Also scheduled for the ceremony is Ken Seaton-Msemaji, co-founder of the United Domestic Workers, whose photo also is on the car park’s walls.
Chavez’s granddaughter Barbara Ybarra and John Armington, son of UFW leader Bob Armington, also are scheduled to be on hand.
San Diego City Councilman David Alvarez is scheduled to be master of ceremony at the hour-long event that begins at noon. Other speakers will be San Diego Continuing Education President Carlos Cortez, San Diego Community College District Chancellor Constance Carroll, Trustee Maria Senour and Barrio Station Executive Director Rachael Ortiz.
The ceremony will be at the Chavez Car Park on the corner of Cesar Chavez Parkway and National Avenue in Barrio Logan.
Link to story: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/mar/22/chavez-car-park-dedication/