City news

Mayor Gloria cuts budget

With the failure of sales tax Measure E to pass in this election, the City of San Diego is facing a major structural budget deficit of $258 million next year. On Wednesday, Mayor Todd Gloria announced immediate budget cuts to brace for not having any additional funding sources.

Initial cuts include an immediate hiring freeze, cuts to overtime and a pause on capital improvement projects that are not already closed to finished. In addition, a plan to revitalize the Civic Center, including scandal-plagued 101 Ash Street, into housing and new city hall is being halted.

However, this will not be enough to make up for the budget deficit and more cuts will be coming. Certain city staff people could be requested to take early retirement, although who that might affect has yet to be confirmed.

Interactive kiosks added Downtown

The Downtown San Diego Partnership and IKE Smart City unveiled the first of several new digital interactive, wayfinding kiosks called IKE (Interactive Kiosk Experience) in City Center. At least 50 interactive kiosks designed to help visitors and residents navigate the City will be installed throughout Downtown over the next two years in the Columbia District, Marina District, East Village, Cortez and the Convention Center District.

The kiosks, which were approved for installation by the City Council in June 2023, have dual-sided digital touchscreens, complete with interactive applications that encourage discovery of area businesses, promote diverse mobility solutions, and provide 24/7 access to resources, including safe shelters, addiction recovery programs, food support, and information about City programs such as Get It Done.

IKE operates in 15 cities nationwide, and the local kiosks will give users direct access to the Downtown San Diego Partnership’s Clean and Safe Team via the Downtown security call button on the side of the kiosk. Users will have direct access to a live team at all hours to report safety concerns, request an escort to their car late at night in the Downtown area, and more.

The project is expected to produce nearly $15 million for the City of San Diego and another $7 million for the San Diego Downtown Partnership through advertising and branding opportunities on the kiosks.

City workers to receive discounted college

As part of an ongoing effort to recruit and retain a skilled workforce, the City of San Diego is adding new educational opportunities for its employees to further their career growth and development. The San Diego City Council approved agreements with National University, San Diego College of Continuing Education, University of California San Diego Division of Extended Studies, and the University of California San Diego Rady School of Management to be the Official Employee Education Program Partners of the City of San Diego.

These partnerships will provide City employees with free and discounted tuition and educational scholarships during the 5-year contract term. This is a direct response to feedback provided to the City during its 2024 Employee Satisfaction Survey, in which 48% of survey respondents stated they were interested in pursuing professional certification or obtaining a degree. By providing these opportunities to employees, the City is continuing to provide a culture of learning to its more than 12,000 employees, while providing pathways for career advancement.

Real estate updates

$16.5M loan for high-rise office acquisition near Civic Center

Privately-owned real estate investment, development and finance company Bolour Associates Inc.’s affiliate, BAI Fund Manager (BOLOUR) has provided a $16.5 million loan for the acquisition of 530 B St. in San Diego’s Civic Center submarket. The loan required BOLOUR’s ability to quickly underwrite assets and assess multiple business plans while providing certainty to sponsors on competitive transactions.

Currently operating as a 250,181-square-foot office building in downtown San Diego, 530 B St. offers significant flexibility, supporting ownership plans to convert the property into 140 condominium units by-right, with approvals expected within the 18-month loan term.

Office-to-medical office conversion new trend

JLL San Diego released its Q3 Medical Office Report, with news of a growing trend of offices being converted into medical offices. This comes amid a stable 14.6% vacancy rate among offices, while the medical office vacancy rose to 6.2%, the highest level since 2022. Other highlights include (1) lease renewals for San Diego medical office space are on the rise and (2) San Diego medical office average direct asking rents rose by 2.9% over the past 12-months, to new record high of $4.25 full-service gross per month.

Tourism news

San Diego Tourism Authority touts 32M visitors

El San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA) celebrated a triumphant 2024 fiscal year at its 70th Annual Meeting, held Nov. 13 at the newly renovated Jacobs Music Center. In fiscal year 2024, San Diego welcomed an estimated 32 million visitors (2 million increase from FY23) who contributed a record $14.6 billion in direct spending locally (2% increase from FY23). With visitors steadily coming to the San Diego region, local hotels also achieved higher occupancy rates countywide. The average hotel occupancy in FY24 was 73%, ranking fourth in the nation. The average length of stay was nearly four nights, about one night more, on average, than before the pandemic. These hotel stays helped generate $310 million in citywide transient occupancy tax (TOT) revenue, which is used to fund essential services and improve quality of life.

Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina opens roller rink

Opting for a roller-rink instead of an ice skating rink, Marriot Marquis Puerto deportivo de San Diego is bringing a unique bayfront experience to San Diego with ‘Downtown Skate,’ the city’s first eco-friendly outdoor roller rink. Open through Jan. 5, the rink offers locals and out-of-town guests an exclusive holiday attraction next to Seaport Village overlooking the San Diego Bay.

Rooftop Cinemas Club pivots to Fireside Films

With a chill in the air and just in time for the Holidays, San Diego’s most-popular outdoor cinema, Rooftop Cinema Club Embarcadero, is ratcheting up the comfort and intimacy with the introduction of an exciting new activation, “Fireside Films,” at its San Diego home atop the Manchester Grand Hyatt. In the club’s prime seating section, wood-burning heaters will keep people warm. Tickets also come with a warm bevarage like hot cocoa, cider, coffee or tea. The new Fireside Films series kicked off Thursday, Dec. 5 with “Home Alone.”

Purchase tickets at rooftopcinemaclub.com/san-diego/venue/rcc-embarcadero/.

Food and drink

Fig Tree in East Village to close

Rise & Shine Hospitality Group, the team behind beloved San Diego brands such as República del desayuno y Breakfast Company, has announced the closure of Café de la higuera‘s East Village location. Fig Tree will continue to welcome guests at its Mission Valley, Pacific Beach, and Liberty Station locations, where loyal customers can still enjoy the warm, welcoming atmosphere and distinctive menu items that Fig Tree is known for.

Rise & Shine is excited to share that the East Village space will reopen in 2025 as 6th & G, a new concept that draws on the group’s success with Breakfast Republic and Breakfast Company. 6th & G will be a fresh addition to the East Village community, offering a dynamic atmosphere.

Karl Strauss Downtown location closed for renovation

Karl Strauss Brewing Company’s downtown brewpub is closing between Thanksgiving and Christmas for renovations. San Diego’s first craft brewery was founded in the building in 1989, and the company completed its acquisition of the property last fall. The overall design of the interior will be updated, and it will include artifacts and accolades throughout the space to pay homage to the brewery’s history. A group events space will also be added, and the brewing equipment will be restored.

AKA opens in Gaslamp

Asian fusion restaurant, bar and lounge AKA celebrated its grand opening celebration on Nov. 7, drawing over 500 guests who came together to experience the venue’s exquisite food, craft cocktails, and dynamic entertainment helmed by Chef Takuya Kudo. Starting Saturday, Dec. 7, AKA will officially debut its highly anticipated nightlife sector. Transforming into a high-energy hotspot, the venue will channel the raw, intimate energy of “boiler room”-style DJ sets, offering an up-close and immersive music experience unlike any other in San Diego. Guests can expect rotating DJs spinning eclectic mixes in an electrifying, communal setting designed to break the barriers between the performers and the crowd.

Good works

San Diego Fire stations hold toy drive

On Wednesday, Nov. 20, San Diego Fire-Rescue (SDFD) kicks off the 2024 Toys for Tots toy drive with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. SDFD has participated as a toy drop-off point supporting Toys for Tots for more than 20 years. All SDFD facilities including fire stations and several lifeguard stations will accept donations of new, unwrapped toys and books through Friday, Dec. 20.

For more than 75 years, Toys for Tots has provided happiness and hope to children during the holiday season. The toys, books and other gifts collected and distributed by Marines and volunteers offer children a positive memory that will last a lifetime.

Sycuan, Padres give out turkeys

The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation worked with the San Diego Padres and the National School District to distribute 1,000 complimentary turkeys to San Diego families on Thursday, Nov. 21, giving back to the community in time for Thanksgiving.

Family members with students attending one of the 10 public schools within the National School District, Preschool Center, Integrity Charter School, National City Middle School and Granger Junior High School lined up at the Best Western Plus Marina Gateway Hotel to receive their turkey.

69 people housed by finding housemates

Townspeople’s Shared Housing Palooza Campaign successfully housed 69 individuals in just 100 days. The Shared Housing Palooza aimed to broaden the reach of the San Diego Shared Housing Collaborative, an initiative led by Townspeople that has been quietly reshaping how San Diego thinks about housing by pairing individuals with housemates, helping them share costs, and creating stable living arrangements.

Lucky Duck Foundation distributes sleeping bag coats

In the spirit of Giving Tuesday, the Lucky Duck Foundation this week distributed sleeping bag coats to unsheltered homeless individuals throughout San Diego County. The heavy-duty, weather resistant coats transform into sleeping bags to provide critical warmth and protection from the elements.

The campaign kicked off with a coat outreach event held in partnership with the Veterans Village of San Diego and Padres Foundation at the intersection of Park Blvd. and 10th Ave. The foundation’s goal is to distribute 4,5000 of the specialized coats this winter.

Father Joe’s raised $27k through Christmas tree auction

Hilton San Diego Bayfront partnered with Father Joe’s Villages to host its 1st Annual Holiday Village at the Bayfront: A Cause to Celebrate.

This multi-part celebration kicked off on Nov. 7 with a tree lighting ceremony featuring live music, holiday-themed bites, and more than 15 exquisitely decorated Christmas trees — each of which were auctioned off to support Father’s Joe’s mission to prevent and end homelessness one life at a time.

The festive trees adorned the hotel’s lobby for guests to enjoy until they were delivered to auction winners on Dec. 3. Through the auction, $26,976 was raised.

SDCCU donated 10k books to library

Cooperativa de crédito del condado de San Diego® (SDCCU®), one of Southern California’s largest locally-owned financial institutions, collected and donated 10,269 books to help support the efforts of the San Diego County Library (SDCL) to promote literacy throughout San Diego County. Donations were collected at all San Diego County SDCCU branch locations throughout the month of October and were delivered to SDCL for distribution throughout the community.

People to watch

Local leaders honored for lifetime of combatting homelessness

The Regional Task Force on Homelessness (RTFH) is honoring four local leaders with Lifetime Achievement Awards for the endless contributions they made over the years to help combat homelessness. The awards were presented at RTFH’s annual conference Dec. 3 and 4 at the Hilton Bayfront to Paul Downey, the President/CEO of Serving Seniors, Michael Hopkins the CEO of Jewish Family Service of San Diego, Barbara Jiménez, County of San Diego’s Health and Human Services’ COO and Laura Tancredi-Baese, the CEO of Home Start.

Momentum Award winners honor mobility, safety advocates

Circulate San Diego announced its annual Momentum Award winners, with several awardees in Uptown and Downtown areas. The Pershing Bikeway, a 2.3-mile project led by SANDAG, enhances safety, mobility, and connectivity between North Park, Downtown San Diego, and Balboa Park received the Safe Streets and Vision Zero Award. RideSD won the Public Voice Award, Public Voice Award for pushing for impactful changes, such as the Metropolitan Transit System’s adoption of contactless fare payment, making transit more accessible and reducing congestion. The City of San Diego’s Planning Department received the Sustainable Growth Award for initiatives like the University Community Plan Update, Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment, and Blueprint SD initiative. Maria Cortez, of City Heights CDC, was honored for her lifelong advocacy in City Heights, including her work saving homes from demolition and launching the Youth Opportunity Pass for free transit. She led the Visions Project, which transformed SR-15 into Teralta Park, reconnecting the community.

Convention Center adds Deputy CEO

The San Diego Convention Center (SDCC) recently promoted Mardeen Mattix to Deputy CEO & CFO, a newly created position.

Mattix joined the SDCC team in 1998 and has served as Chief Financial Officer since 2018. While serving as CFO, Mardeen guided SDCC through several pivotal moments, including transforming the building into an emergency shelter during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most recently, Mardeen played an integral role in implementing a new sales strategy to attract high-value events that produce significant economic benefits for San Diego. In fiscal year 2025, SDCC’s 35th anniversary year, SDCC events are projected to generate approximately $1.7 billion in regional economic impact, including an estimated $40.2 million in tax revenue for the City of San Diego.

Jenny Dixon joins Hahn Loesor & Parks

Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP is pleased to announce that Jenny L. Dixon has joined the San Diego office as a Partner in the Firm’s Litigation Practice Area. Dixon has represented individuals and companies in business and employment disputes, corporate and securities fraud, and violations of antitrust and competition laws in both state and federal litigation for over 25 years.

 A seasoned litigator and native of San Diego, Dixon has secured multi-million dollar judgments on behalf of her clients. Dixon has also guided clients on ways to cost effectively minimize liability. She has been recognized by San Diego Super Lawyers in each of the last five years and was named among its Top 25 Women in 2024. Dixon has also been honored by the San Diego Business Journal as Best of the Bar. 

Pendry announces two promotions

Pendry San Diego announced the appointment of William Figueroa as director of food and beverage and the promotion of Brandon Sloan to executive chef. Together, they bring a wealth of industry knowledge and experience, innovation, and passion as they oversee the food and beverage programs at Gaslamp’s Pendry San Diego.

Since joining Pendry San Diego in 2017 as Chef de Cuisine and most recently as Executive Sous Chef, Sloan has played a significant role in overseeing the culinary operations for Nason’s Beer Hall, Fifth & Rose, Provisional Kitchen, and in-room dining. In his new role as executive chef, Sloan’s responsibilities will expand to include all day-to-day operations and menu development, banquets, in-room dining, and strategic vision for the hotel’s overall culinary program. William joins Pendry San Diego from Alma San Diego, where he served as director of food and beverage.

Science and health tidbits

Analysis: San Diego saw 5th highest environmental gains amid teleworking surge

According to an analysis from Coworking Mag, San Diego’s environment saw the fifth greatest improvement over five years among large U.S. cities, a noteworthy contributor being the 135% growth of the city’s remote workforce. Meanwhile, two less prominent cities in San Diego County — Chula Vista and El Cajon — count among the cities with the most significant environmental gains and have had similar surges in teleworkers. San Diego boasted the fifth steepest reduction in gas consumption among large cities and had the seventh sharpest decrease in carbon footprint. The county was in the top 10 for improving air quality among large cities, the index showing 1% fresher air.

Whooping cough on the rise

County public health officials are reporting an increased number of pertussis cases, also known as whooping cough, in San Diego County this year. The increase is notable when compared to 2023 and is even more marked when compared to 2020 to 2022 numbers.

There have been 547 confirmed and probable pertussis cases reported in San Diego County by mid-November. This compares to 332 cases in all of 2023. Ages have ranged from less than one month to 85 years old with the majority in the 11 to 17-year-old age range. There have been no pertussis deaths reported in San Diego County since 2016, and no deaths reported in California since 2019. 

Neuroscientists discover how the brain slows anxious breathing

Humans have long used slow breathing to regulate their emotions, and practices like yoga and mindfulness have even popularized formal techniques like box breathing. Still, there has been little scientific understanding of how the brain consciously controls our breathing and whether this actually has a direct effect on our anxiety and emotional state.

Neuroscientists at the Salk Institute have now, for the first time, identified a specific brain circuit that regulates breathing voluntarily. Using mice, the researchers pinpointed a group of brain cells in the frontal cortex that connects to the brainstem, where vital actions like breathing are controlled. Their findings suggest this connection between the more sophisticated parts of the brain and the lower brainstem’s breathing center allows us to coordinate our breathing with our current behaviors and emotional state.

The findings, published in Nature Neuroscience on Nov. 19, describe a new set of brain cells and molecules that could be targeted with therapeutics to prevent hyperventilation and regulate anxiety, panic, or post-traumatic stress disorders.