San Ysidro Decorative Streetlights Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – October 29, 2009
On October 29, 2009, the Redevelopment Agency, Council President Ben Hueso, and the San Ysidro Business Association celebrated the installation of 21 decorative streetlights in the San Ysidro Redevelopment Project Area with a " Rolling Block Party" . The celebration included a ribbon cutting ceremony (PDF: 822K), mariachi music, and light refreshments. The $580,000 project enhances the business and pedestrian environment along San Ysidro Boulevard.
San Ysidro Community Enhancement Program – October 24, 2009
Community volunteers will paint out graffiti, pull weeds, repair fences, plant trees, and haul away debris in San Ysidro as part of the Green Street Community Enhancement Program spearheaded by Urban Corps of San Diego County. Green Street (PDF: 2.5M) is funded by the Redevelopment Agency and other community partners. In addition to cleaning up and beautifying public right-of-ways, Green Street will feature the renovation of up to two San Ysidro homes occupied by low- and moderate-income residents on October 24 to improve their energy efficiency and curbside appeal. Another 23 homes will be renovated at a later time.
City Heights Community Enhancement Program – October 24, 2009
Ten to twelve homes will be painted and spruced up and tons of trash will hauled away to clean up one block in the Azalea Park neighborhood of City Heights as part of the Fall 2009 FaceLift (PDF: 843K) spearheaded by Community HousingWorks. FaceLift is funded by the Redevelopment Agency with support from the City Heights Redevelopment Project Area Committee and Councilmember Todd Gloria. Volunteers are encouraged to participate and help in beautifying public right-of-ways and enhancing the local housing stock occupied by low- to moderate-income households.
Los Vientos Family Apartments Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – October 7, 2009
The ribbon cutting ceremony (PDF: 46K) for the Los Vientos Family Apartments (PDF: 297K) projects was held on October 7, 2009. Los Vientos provides new affordable housing opportunities in Barrio Logan. With a total of 89 units in two buildings, Los Vientos is available to families earning between 30% and 60% of the area median income. The two-building complex features 4 four-bedroom units, 35 three-bedroom units, and 50 two-bedroom units.
Project Area Committee Elections – September 28, 2009
The Project Area Committees (PACs) for the following Project Areas will be holding their annual elections in October 2009. PAC members serve their communities by advising the Redevelopment Agency on the adoption and implementation of redevelopment plans, programs, and projects. Interested members of the community are urged to participate as voters and as candidates.
- College Community (election on October 6, 2009)
- City Heights (election on October 12, 2009)
- North Bay (election on October 21, 2009)
City Heights Bus Stop Shelters and Benches Installation – September 25, 2009
Installation of twenty new bus stop shelters and benches was recently completed in the City Heights Redevelopment Project Area to provide weather protection and convenience for transit riders, including residents, visitors, and merchants. The Redevelopment Agency contributed funds to the project, and the City Heights Business Association coordinated the procurement and installation. The shelters and benches enhance the area’s transit-friendliness, encourage greater transit use, and improve the look and feel of the community. The ribbon cutting ceremony (PDF: 247K) was held on September 25, 2009.
Veterans Village of San Diego, Phase 2 Open House – September 16, 2009
The Veterans Village of San Diego (PDF: 185K) held an open house (PDF: 538K)
for Phase 2 of the rehabilitation center and unveiled the Dining Facility Mural on September 16, 2009. Once completed, the center will provide a place for up to 320 homeless veterans to live and seek treatment, support, employment training, and counseling. The Redevelopment Agency has contributed funds to the development and construction of the project.
Housing Enhancement Loan Programs – September 8, 2009
The Redevelopment Agency's Housing Enhancement Loan Programs (HELP) were created to help increase, improve, and preserve the supply of housing occupied by persons and families of low and moderate income. HELP provides forgivable loans to assist residents enhance the homes that they own. The San Ysidro Redevelopment HELP program recently completed its first project. Residents in the Grantville, Najavo, and Tierrasanta areas now also have access to HELP.
La Entrada Family Apartments Grand Opening – July 30, 2009
The three-story La Entrada Family Apartments (PDF: 799K) project is a new, 85-unit, privately gated, affordable apartment community consisting of 13 two-bedroom units, 60 three-bedroom units, and 12 four-bedroom units of rental family housing. The units are restricted for 55 years at levels affordable to very low- and low-income families earning between 30% and 60% of the area median income. The grand opening (PDF: 286K) was held on July 30, 2009.
Pathfinders Residential Apartments in Progress – July 30, 2009
Work is underway to transform a deteriorating North Park motel into 17 residential apartments for graduates of the Pathfinders Shelter Plus Care recovery program for homeless men with alcohol and mental illness problems. The $4.05 million project is a joint partnership venture between the San Diego Housing Commission and the Redevelopment Agency. Pathfinders of San Diego expects the residential project to be completed in April 2010.
Gateway Family Apartments Recognized – June 11, 2009
Gateway Family Apartments, a 42-unit affordable housing development in the Barrio Logan Redevelopment Project Area, was recognized twice by the San Diego Housing Federation during its 14th Annual San Diego County Affordable Housing and Community Development Recognition Awards on June 11, 2009. The project took home the Housing Project of the Year (Fewer than 50 Units) Award and the SDG&E Energy Efficiency & Sustainability Award. Gateway units are set aside for households earning between 30% and 60% of the area median income. The Redevelopment Agency was instrumental in making Gateway possible, acquiring the site and providing $3.6 million in financing. The project held its grand opening in June 2008.
Camino de la Plaza Streetscape Improvements Dedication – June 5, 2009
On June 5, 2009, the Redevelopment Agency, Council President Ben Hueso, and the San Ysidro Business Association celebrated the completion of the Camino de la Plaza Streetscape Improvement Project (PDF: 2.35M) in the San Ysidro Redevelopment Project Area. The $600,000 project included the construction of sidewalks and curbs, the creation of a public plaza at the corner of East San Ysidro Boulevard and Camino de la Plaza, and the installation of landscaping, fencing, and street furniture. The celebration of the project’s completion also included the dedication of a memorial plaque recognizing the centennial year of the San Ysidro community.
SANDAG TransNet Smart Growth Incentive Program Grants – May 22, 2009
The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Board of Directors approved on May 22, 2009, the list of projects to be funded under the first cycle of the TransNet Smart Growth Incentive Program, which included the Mid-City State Route 15 Bus Rapid Transit Station Area Planning Study in the City Heights Redevelopment Project Area and the Chollas Triangle Master Plan in the Crossroads Redevelopment Project Area. The Redevelopment Agency partnered with the City of San Diego to submit the successful applications and will provide matching funds for the two planning projects. The next step is to establish grant agreements between the Agency/City and SANDAG.
The Chollas Triangle Master Plan will provide specific land use and mobility recommendations and guidance to encourage the development of a mixed-use transit-oriented village supported by park, open space, and creek enhancements within the approximately 36-acre Chollas Triangle site at 54th Street, Chollas Parkway, and University Avenue.
The Mid-City State Route 15 Bus Rapid Transit Station Area Planning Study will gather and analyze data and develop strategies, designs, and plans to envision and support the implementation of multi-modal transit stations, with an emphasis on bus rapid transit, along University and El Cajon avenues.
Boulevard Apartments Grand Opening – April 22, 2009
The Boulevard Apartments is an affordable housing development of Father Joe's Villages made possible with assistance from the Redevelopment Agency. The 4-story, 24-apartment structure provides housing for very low-income families, earning 30% to 40% of the area median income. Certain units are set aside for families that are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and have at least one adult either living with mental illness or HIV/AIDS or recovering from chronic substance abuse. The grand opening was held on April 22, 2009 .
Euclid Tower – April 20, 2009
The Euclid Tower is one of the most visible structures within the community of City Heights. The Redevelopment Agency recently completed its restoration.
Renaissance at North Park National Award – April 17, 2008
On April 17, 2008, the National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies (NALHFA) recognized Renaissance at North Park (PDF: 96K) as a "model for affordable housing and redevelopment excellence" during its Spring 2008 Educational Conference in Los Angeles. Located in the North Park Redevelopment Project Area, Renaissance features 108 affordable units and 24 market-rate townhomes and pays tribute to North Park's early years by incorporating Art Deco, Craftsman, and Spanish bungalow design styles. The Redevelopment Agency contributed funds to the $32 million project.
Redevelopment Best Management Practices – October 30, 2007
The Redevelopment Agency has been considering alternative proposals for its administrative structure. As part of this analysis, the Agency completed a study of best management practices for the City's Redevelopment Division and their management of eleven Project Areas.
The consultant team of Clarion Associates and Waronzof Associates conducted extensive interviews and document review to study specific projects and the structure and operation of the Division and Agency as a whole. The report explains their findings; compares the Agency's structure, policies and practices with other public agencies throughout the United States; and provides numerous recommendations for best management practices. The Agency and Redevelopment Division have already begun implementing many of the report's recommendations.
- Best Management Practices Study Letter to the Redevelopment Agency (PDF: 160K)
- Redevelopment Agency Best Management Practices Study (PDF: 2 Mb)
- Final November 2006 Restructuring Options Report (PDF: 552K)
Other Agency News
For other news on the activities of the City of San Diego Redevelopment Agency, visit the following three sites associated with the three "divisions" of the Agency. For general information about the Agency, call (619) 236-6700.
- City Planning & Community Investment Department – a City department that houses the Redevelopment Division, which provides the overall administrative management for the entire Redevelopment Agency and manages 11 Project Areas throughout the City
- Centre City Development Corporation – a City corporation that manages two Project Areas in the Downtown San Diego area
- Southeastern Economic Development Corporation – a City corporation that manages four Project Areas in fifteen neighborhoods in the southeastern portion of the City
