‘A Beacon for Arts’

In reply to Mr. Amero’s letter printed July 9, “Crying Shame,” I wish to address his concerns about the location of the new Times Arts Tix Center at Horton Plaza.

Times Arts Tix is on donated private property and on the site of the information booth that stood adjacent to Horton Plaza park many years ago. The project is sponsored by the not-for-profit San Diego Theatre Foundation, a public benefit corporation, and serves the public by making half-priced tickets available on the day of performance to theater, music and dance throughout the county.

Rather than a tool of the “yuppies,” as Mr. Amero predicts, Times Arts Tix is a place where all of our citizens can obtain arts tickets and information previously unavailable under one roof. It exists to make the cultural attractions of our county more affordable and accessible to many for whom these had been previously out of reach.

Like its counterparts in the other great cities of the world (Paris, London, New York, Boston, San Francisco, to name a few), Times Arts Tix’ present location was chosen for its visibility and surrounding historic and contemporary structures.

We are deeply grateful to the Hahn Co., owners of Horton Plaza, for the donation of this space, which benefits all San Diegans and helps bring more citizen activity to the park. We are also deeply grateful to The Times San Diego County Edition for having the foresight and generosity to support a project that provides the citizens of San Diego a new beacon for the arts for years to come.

WILLIAM PURVES

President

San Diego Theatre Foundation