Metro San Diego CDC September 2018 Meeting Summary:

 

 

The Metro San Diego CDC had its first meeting for the 2018/2019 year on Monday, September 24^th

I. The first speaker was Brittany Bailey, representing City Councilmember Chris Ward, who spoke about several topics, including:

1. The proposal to establish regulations for dockless scooters, that would address scooters riding on sidewalks; where scooters should park; and the need for riders to wear helmets;
2. An update on how the City was addressing homelessness; there was recently a forum about the subject in Mission Hills that attracted over 100 people;

II. Peter Comiskey, Executive Director of the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership, provided an update regarding several future construction projects in Balboa Park. The Mingei Museum will be closed for about a year while it is rebuilt. Construction work will also take place in the California Plaza adjacent to the Museum of Man.  Both these projects will be completed prior to the start of the Plaza de Panama project, construction for which is expected to commence sometime in the first part of 2019.

Comiskey then made a presentation about the proposed Balboa Park banner district. There will be seven vertical banners placed on lampposts along Sixth Avenue in the West Mesa of Balboa Park.  The purpose of banners is to enhance the identity of Balboa Park; they may also be used to notice events.  If the initial seven banners along Sixth Avenue are successful, more may be placed.  The number will always be reasonable to avoid saturation. Metro San Diego CDC members present reacted very favorably to the proposed banner district. It was pointed out that visitors often inquire where Balboa Park is even when they are standing in it. Banner poles along Sixth Avenue could also be used to publicize community events in Bankers Hill.  The Metro San Diego CDC voted unanimously to support the proposed Balboa Park banner district. (Maps with the location of the initial banners are attached below.)

III. Susan Jester, Public Relations & Media Director for St. Paul’s Episcopal/Anglican Cathedral, indicated that the Cathedral was seeking community input about the design of the community open space on the ground floor of the Cathedral, which will be created as part of the new 6^th & Olive Street project. Jester requested the Metro San Diego CDC’s involvement in the outreach effort. The Metro San Diego CDC unanimously agreed to partner with the Cathedral and co-sponsor community forums and events, as well as help with the public outreach.

IV. Don Liddell, the chair of the Balboa Park West Mesa Subcommittee, is also a Second Avenue resident. A proposed Second Avenue Historic District, between Upas Street and Palm Street, was identified during the Uptown Community Plan update process. Liddell will be moving forward with determining the feasibility of establishing the district, and has prepared a draft petition for property owners to sign.  The Metro San Diego CDC was supportive of this effort, and agreed to help with outreach.

V. Bob Daniel, chair of the Western Slope Community Association (“WSCA”), was unable to attend the meeting, but submitted a written report about the status of the railroad “Quiet Zone” being proposed along the western boundary of Uptown. A Quiet Zone study should be completed in Nov/Dec 2018; at which time SANDAG will determine the project’s cost and possible sources of funding. Dick Troncone, a member of the WSCA, has talked with the engineer working on the project, and both have visited the railroad crossings that would be affected. The engineer though the project was doable without significant modifications to the crossings.