World Design Capital announces year’s program 

World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024 (WDC 2024) and the City of San Diego announced its year of programming for design-related events. The first cross-border designation in World Design Capital history, San Diego is the first U.S. city ever to receive the designation and Tijuana is the second city in Mexico to hold the title. 

Throughout the year, WDC 2024 will present six signature events in partnership with the World Design Organization® across the San Diego Tijuana region featuring interactive design experiences for all. Signature events include the Community Celebration on February 28 at the Tijuana Cultural Center (CECUT); the World Design Festival powered by Tijuana Design Week happening May 1-5 in Tijuana; the World Design Experience powered by the Design Forward Alliance and San Diego Design Week happening September 18-25 in San Diego; the World Policy Conference powered by the City of San Diego and UC San Diego Design Lab taking place November 12-13 in San Diego; the World Design Network of Cities organized in partnership with the City of San Diego, the City of Tijuana, and the World Design Organization on November 15 in Tijuana; and the WDC 2024 Convocation Ceremony organized in partnership with the World Design Organization on November 16 at The Salk Institute. 

The program also includes over 300 endorsed community initiatives consisting of a diverse range of projects, events, exhibitions, activations, and more offering opportunities for active participation and engagement. The Community Programs will advance the mission of WDC 2024 to transform the region through the lens of design, curated and led by community members from San Diego and Tijuana. 

Real Estate 

City seeks buyer for Downtown Building to turn into affordable housing 

In an effort to create much-needed affordable homes, the City of San Diego is looking for an individual or organization to purchase, redevelop and operate a City-owned building in Downtown as 100% affordable multi-family rental housing. 

Today, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 26,500-square-foot, three-story building located at 1401 Imperial Ave. The property, which sits in East Village across from Tailgate Park, currently serves as the City’s Homelessness Response Center (HRC). The San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) operates the HRC, along with City, People Assisting the Homeless (PATH), the Regional Task Force on the Homeless (RTFH) and other homelessness service providers. The SDHC will continue to operate it during the RFP and negotiation process. 

Proposals must be submitted to the City by May 1, 2024, at 5 p.m. The City hopes the purchase and sale of the property will move expeditiously, especially with the 100% affordable housing quick review incentives now available through the development review process. 

Architect firm moves headquarters to Block D 

Cushman & Wakefield announced that San Diego based Roseling Nakamura Terada Architects, Inc. (“RNT”) has signed a long-term lease for 10,201 square feet of space on the fifth floor of Block D, a 60,000-square-foot modern office building in the Makers Quarter district in Downtown San Diego. One of downtown’s newest office projects, Block D is a contemporary state-of-the-art building in the heart of East Village, known as San Diego’s creative talent hub. RNT is relocating its headquarters from a nearby building located about a mile away in the Gaslamp Quarter.
Owned by L2HP, LLC and designed by BNIM Architects, Block D is reportedly the first commercial office building in Downtown San Diego to achieve Net Zero Energy and LEED Platinum certification. 

Groundbreaking held for 270-unit affordable rental homes 

As crews on excavators and other heavy machinery worked to clear concrete and prepare the East Village site for construction, a groundbreaking ceremony across the street celebrated an affordable housing development in collaboration with the San Diego Housing Commission that will provide 270 affordable rental apartments for San Diegans with lower income. Developed by Chelsea Investment Corporation in East Village, Harrington Heights will remain affordable for 55 years for households with income up to 50 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), approximately $62,000 for a three-person household. 

Nonprofits

Father Joe’s served 13k people in 2023 

Father Joe’s Villages, San Diego’s largest homeless services provider, served nearly 13,000 people in need during the 2023 calendar year, including 3,897 people experiencing homelessness in December alone. 

The latest “Compassion in Action: Our Neighbors by the Numbers” report includes both December data and annual totals for the year. Per the numbers, Father Joe’s Villages offered 366,805 nights of shelter beds to people in need in San Diego and helped almost 900 people experiencing homelessness exit to permanent or temporary housing. 

Additionally, Father Joe’s Villages’ medical staff also provided care to 3,469 unique neighbors in 2023, with 1,791 dental appointments, 1,594 psychiatric appointments, and 2,180 encounters with the Street Health outreach team. 

Volunteers needed to advocate for youth in foster care 

This year, an estimated 3,000 children will spend time in foster care in San Diego County after experiencing abuse or neglect. They are among the most vulnerable members of our community. Once they enter the dependency system, their world suddenly includes court hearings, social workers, attorneys, and often new homes and schools. They need someone to step up and speak up for them during what can be a scary and challenging time. Voices for Children, which serves both San Diego and Riverside Counties, is issuing a call for these special volunteers who often become the most consistent adult in the life of a child in foster care. 

CASA volunteers are everyday community members – trained and supported by Voices for Children – who advocate for children in the child welfare system. They form a relationship with the children and become acquainted with everyone involved in their lives, such as their parents, family, teachers, and therapists, so that they can make informed recommendations to the court. Learn more at speakupnow.org. 

New Children’s Museum union reaches agreement   

The New Children’s Museum announced that its workers and management team have signed a new three-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA), effective Jan. 1. When their previous contract was ratified in 2021, The New Children’s Museum was the first museum in San Diego to unionize. The new CBA was approved by union members by a 100% yes vote. 

Both Museum management and staff praised the agreement for achieving increased wages across the board (immediately and over the next two years), more opportunities for full-time positions, better job scaffolding, increased sick time, floating holidays, new and flexible uniforms, greater part-time scheduling flexibility, and other benefits to encourage employee promotion and retention. 

Nominate a classroom hero 

San Diego County Credit Union® (SDCCU®), one of San Diego’s largest locally-owned financial institutions, is continuing to proudly honor San Diego County teachers through SDCCU Classroom Heroes, launched in partnership with the San Diego County Office of Education. 

SDCCU and the San Diego County Office of Education recognize three local “Classroom Heroes” educators every quarter. Winning teachers will receive a $250 Visa gift card and be featured on SDCCU’s social media platforms. 

Teachers, students, parents and the community are encouraged to nominate a deserving teacher by visiting sdccu.com/classroomheroes. 

Arts & Entertainment 

Open call for youth artists 

ArtReach is seeking youth artists (aged 5-18) to submit a mini-masterpiece for an upcoming Youth Art Show. Each mini masterpiece created for this open call should be exactly 6 inches wide by 6 inches tall, following the prompt, “Where do your dreams take you?” 

Artwork must be submitted to ArtReach (2399 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101) by Friday, April 5th, 2024. Final art pieces will be shared online, and the community will vote on select prizes, including the most creative use of color, best composition, crowd favorite, and more! Each mini-masterpiece will be exhibited and sold at Mission Fed ArtWalk in Little Italy April 27th-28th, with 100% of proceeds contributing to ArtReach’s mission to ignite youth through visual arts expression and community connection. 

Murder comedy movie filmed in Little Italy

Vision Films releasde dark comedy “Murder and Cocktails” from local writer and producer Ron Jackson on Jan. 24. The VOD feature film was directed by Henry Barrial and shot on location in Little Italy. The movie’s theme song was composed by another local, Archie Thompson.  

The funny whodunnit stars James Bernardo (Welcome to Chippendales), Jessicah Neufeld (Dracula), Colleen O’Shaughnessey (Sonic the Hedgehog), Ricardo Molina (Freedom Writers), Lucy Boryer (the original Doogie Howser, MD), and Brian Lally (L.A. Confidential).  

“Murder and Cocktails” will be available on streaming and cable platforms across the US and Canada followed by DVD at online retailers. 

The Lion’s Share celebrates 12 years 

Venerable San Diego craft cocktail and dining institution, The Lion’s Share, will celebrate a milestone 12 year anniversary this February 2024. Named for the Aesop’s fable (the moral being, might makes right),The Lion’s Share has garnered consistent praise and accolades since its opening in February 2011 from the likes of San Diego Magazine (Best Restaurant 2011), Food & Wine (Best Bar Food in America 2017), and Food Network (40 Best Bars in America for Food Lovers). Tucked off-the-beaten path on the very south end of Kettner Ave., the restaurant has made a name for itself for approachable, well-prepared cocktails and exotic fare — an inventive menu that centers on fresh, high-quality ingredients and wild game — and the fact that it’s served until 1 a.m. nightly has made it a favorite among San Diego’s industry community. 

Roman Wolves restaurant to open in Little Italy 

With a full liquor license in hand and an eye to create a cocktail-forward concept, restaurateur Nino Cusimano, best known for his leadership at Rusticucina, is spearheading the opening of Roman Wolves in Little Italy. The native of Sicily is venturing beyond his heritage to showcase the dynamic spirit of Italy’s capital in a vibey bar and restaurant serving Roman cuisine. After the reimagining of a 4,000 square foot space at the corner of Fir and Kettner in the Broadstone building, Roman Wolves is set to open in early February. 

Government 

Downtown train Quiet Zone fixed 

The City of San Diego received confirmation from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) that the Quiet Zone in Downtown will be reinstated, following work by City of San Diego crews to bring 12 intersections into compliance with federal standards for railway crossings. 

According to a letter received by the City, the FRA determined that the Quiet Zone is in full compliance and trains will stop routinely sounding their horns.  

The FRA suspended the Quiet Zone on Friday, Jan. 19, following an inspection that found deficiencies. Since then, in addition to responding to the impacts of last week’s storm, teams from the City’s Transportation Department have worked to create and install more than 120 railroad crossing signs and new road markings at the Laurel Street, Grape Street, Cedar Street, Beech Street, Ash Street, Broadway, Kettner Boulevard, G Street, Hawthorn Street, Market Street, Front Street, First Avenue and Fifth Avenue crossings. 

The City also completed the required traffic survey, or Average Daily Trip Count, to determine the number of vehicles entering the crossings daily. 

San Diego City Council approves citywide Project Labor Agreement 

The San Diego City Council unanimously approved a citywide Project Labor Agreement (PLA), which will govern capital improvement projects and other projects beginning July 1, 2024 and will last until June 30, 2031. The new Project Labor Agreement will govern applicable city construction projects by requiring that “a significant portion of journeypersons and apprentices have graduated from an approved apprenticeship program,” that “all non-union contractors pay benefit contributions for all core employees and any other persons employed other than through the referral process,” “establishes employment goals focused on Local Workers and Targeted Workers,” and more. 

CLERB responds to Sheriff’s rejection of staff body scans 

San Diego County’s Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board will publicly discuss the County Sheriff’s latest rejection to body-scan all sheriff’s staff entering County jails at its Feb. 13 meeting. 

The review board known as CLERB has strongly recommended body-scans to help prevent drug deaths and overdoses in County jails. The Sheriff’s department has twice rejected those recommendations, most recently in December 2023. Sheriff’s officials said they have reduced drugs getting into jails to “almost zero” through increased actions. Those include searches, investigations, intelligence and drug-detecting dogs. 

CLERB officials say they were grateful for those actions and a 35% reduction in the number of in-custody deaths from 2022 to 2023. However, they said there were still 146 suspected overdoses in County detention facilities in 2023 and “our goal must be zero overdoses.” 

CLERB meets publicly once a month in room 302 of the San Diego County Administration Center, located at 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego, 92101. The Feb. 13 meeting is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. 

Measure introduced to help potential homebuyers 

Assemblymember Chris Ward (D-San Diego) has introduced AB 1333 to prohibit the bulk sale of two or more parcels of single-family homes to defined institutional investors, granting families and individuals the same opportunity to purchase homes which would otherwise be sold directly to institutional investors. AB 1333 passed the Assembly Floor with bipartisan support and will be taken up by the State Senate later this year. 

City of San Diego offers emergency grants for storm-impacted small businesses and nonprofits 

In an effort to support local businesses impacted by the recent record storm, the City of San Diego will launch an emergency response grant to provide funds for up to 100 small businesses and nonprofits. The Business Emergency Response & Resilience Grant will make financial assistance available with up to $2,500 per business and up to $5,000 for businesses and nonprofits in the federally designated Promise Zone and Low-Moderate Income Census tract areas. 

The application period will open in mid-February. The city is encouraging business owners to track any expenses related to storm recovery. 

Eligible expenses for the grant funds include supplies and labor for storm cleanup efforts; repairs and equipment replacement not covered by insurance; employee wages; and insurance deductibles. The current budget for this program is $370,000 through the City’s Small Business Enhancement Program. 

For more information, visit SanDiego.gov/storm. 

Community colleges’ minimum wage over $30 per hour 

With the cost of living continuing to rise in one of America’s most expensive cities, the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) has boosted the minimum wage for all permanent employees to $30.58 per hour ― an amount that is nearly twice the state’s minimum wage. 

The unprecedented increase, which became effective January 1 and applies to approximately 250 employees who previously earned less than the new amount, ensures that all SDCCD employees are paid a living wage as defined by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Living Wage Calculator. In addition, minimum wages for temporary employees have been increased to $22.31 per hour. 

According to MIT, two working adults raising two children in the San Diego metropolitan area need to make $30.58 per hour to support themselves and their family. A single adult with no children must earn $22.31 to support themselves. 

SDCCD chancellor Gregory Smith begins new role with clear focus on equity and opportunity 

After serving as acting chancellor since March, Gregory Smith’s role as permanent chancellor of the San Diego Community College District begins today. Smith is the seventh chancellor to lead the district in its 50-year history. 

Chancellor Smith’s career path has been guided by an unshakeable belief in equity. He credits his sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Brown, a Black woman who encouraged him to see the world through multiple perspectives, with sparking his interest in equity. “I just want you to understand that not everyone experiences the world the way you do,” Smith recalls her telling him near the end of the school year. It is this foundational principle that Smith will use as a guide as he leads 5,000 employees and the nearly 80,000 students they serve at the SDCCD. 

Board of Port Commissioners officers sworn-in 

The Port of San Diego ceremonially swore-in its 2024 executive officers for the Board of Port Commissioners at a Jan. 18 luncheon. Officers sworn-in were: Frank Urtasun, chairman; Danielle Moore, vice chair; and Ann Moore, secretary. Urtasun premiered his theme for 2024, “Delivering on Our Promise.” He reflected on the transformation of San Diego Bay and the experiences it offers to all Californians.