Summer has begun, bringing warm temperatures and great community events to San Diego. Even with our nice weather, work is continuing on many fronts. I thank you for reading my e-newsletter and ask that you stay in touch on items of interest to you.

New business hosts Coffee With Your Councilmember

I hope you’ll take the time to join me at my community coffee this Saturday. I look forward to these monthly gatherings to provide updates, answer your questions and to showcase local businesses. This month’s venue is Bodhi Veterinary Clinic in North Park, which will celebrate its grand opening just before our coffee. Please feel free to arrive at 9:30 am to welcome this new neighborhood business with a ribbon cutting. Details are below.

Coffee With Your Councilmember
Saturday, June 25
10:00 – 11:30 am
(9:30 am Business grand opening and ribbon cutting)
Bodhi Veterinary Clinic
2200 University Ave.

The future of redevelopment in San Diego

Last week, state Legislators approved a budget package which included actions to disband redevelopment agencies and redistribute their tax increments as a way to balance the budget. As Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Redevelopment, I believe this decision was irresponsible and short sighted, and despite the veto of the budget by Governor Brown, the threat of redevelopment’s elimination is still very real.

Most concerning about the action taken by the state Legislature is that the budget package included the passage of two trailer bills relating to the elimination of redevelopment agencies, AB X1 26 and 27.

Local governments have very few tools to invest into critical infrastructure, stimulate the economy, and create jobs. Redevelopment has been one of those tools. It’s one of our greatest locally-governed services which has assisted in shaping urban development, providing much-needed affordable housing, eliminating blight, and improving the livability and economy of many of our communities, including City Heights and North Park.

There are better ways than this to balance a budget. Just a few weeks ago, San Diego’s Mayor and City Council approved an on-time, balanced budget that is fiscally responsible and responsive to the needs of the citizens of the City of San Diego. Despite the difficult yet necessary cuts, this process was done peacefully, and in the spirit of collaboration and compromise.

I vow to continue the fight to retain redevelopment tools for San Diego. I urge our state representatives to come together as we have in San Diego and compromise on meaningful structural reforms.

We will continue planning for the future of redevelopment in our City, and I encourage your participation and input to ensure we preserve these necessary tools. The next meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee on Redevelopment is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on Monday, June 27 on the 12th floor of the City Administration Building, 202 C St.

Streetcar feasibility study

The Metropolitan Transit System began work in March 2011 on a study to evaluate the feasibility of reconnecting Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo and Downtown San Diego through a fixed-guideway, electrified streetcar line.

The project study corridor runs between the City College Trolley Station area, served by San Diego Trolley Blue and Orange Lines and over a dozen bus routes, and Balboa Park, in the vicinity of the San Diego Zoo. The first community workshop is scheduled for next week. The meeting will include short summary presentations as well as information tables on the various aspects of the project including streetcar vehicle options, alternative alignments, and station locations. You can find more information about the study online HERE.

Streetcar Feasibility Study Community Open House
Wednesday, June 29
4 – 7 pm
Casa Del Prado Building’s Majorca Room 101
Balboa Park

University Heights leader honored

At my request, the San Diego City Council proclaimed June 21, 2011 to be “Pat Johnston Day” in honor of her activism in the neighborhood of University Heights. I was excited to surprise her with the acknowledgement at this morning’s Council meeting. She served for more than 14 years as editor of the University Heights News, was an original member of the University Heights Recreation Center and a founding member of the University Heights Historical Society, and helped with many successful projects, including the completion of the Birney Elementary School Joint Use Field. Thank you, Pat, for all you’ve done!

North Park Redevelopment Committee has opening for residential member

The North Park Project Area Committee (PAC) will consider filling a vacant seat designated for a residential tenant during its meeting on Tuesday, July 12. The PAC is an advisory body elected by residents, property owners, business owners and community organizations within the North Park Redevelopment Area. The PAC advises the City Council and Redevelopment Agency regarding publicly-assisted redevelopment activities in North Park.

Prospective candidates must submit a Candidate Registration Form to the Redevelopment Agency by 5 pm Friday, July 8. For a form or for more information, please contact Michael Lengyel, Redevelopment Project Manager, at (619) 236-6269 or mlengyel@sandiego.gov. You may also visit HERE.

Upcoming Events

Grand opening of the Stone Company store

Wednesday, June 22
5 pm
2215 30th St.

CHCDC annual meeting and salute to Jay Powell

Thursday, June 23
5 pm
Regional Transportation Center
4077 El Cajon Blvd.

PFLAG scholarship award ceremony

Monday, June 27
7 pm
San Diego First Methodist Church
2231 Camino del Rio South

“Refuse to be a Victim” seminar

Thursday, June 30
6:30 pm
LGBT Community Center
3999 Centre St.

Graduation ceremony at the Leadership Academy for Proyecto de Casas Saludables

Friday, July 1
6 pm
Edison Elementary
4077 35th St.

LGBT Pride Parade

Saturday, July 16
11 am
Starts at University Avenue and Normal Street and ends in Balboa Park on Sixth Avenue.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve,

Todd Gloria