Escondido

The formal ground breaking for Escondido’s $52-million civic center complex, described by city officials as the cornerstone of downtown redevelopment, will be held at 10 a.m. today at the northwest corner of Valley Parkway and Broadway, next to Grape Day Park.

Mayor Ernie Cowan will turn the first spade of dirt, and 500 balloons will be released. City residents then will be invited to participate in the ground breaking.

Officials have described the project as the most significant public improvement in the city’s history. It will give the city a new government headquarters, an auditorium, a performing arts theater, a community theater, a museum and other public amenities.

The project is being financed through redevelopment funds and money already put aside by the city for a new City Hall. Palomar Memorial Hospital purchased the existing City Hall for its own expansion.