The Mesa Colony Community Group held its final meeting of 2019 on Nov. 20 at the College-Rolando Library. 

Chairperson Bob Higdon introduced the meeting speakers, beginning with Sanna Loando, District 9 representative for City Council President Georgette Gomez’s office, who updated the group about the recent CARPUS (College Area Public Safety) meeting and, in particular, construction progress on Reservoir Drive, the 70th Street pipeline, sidewalks, and streetlights. She said that she would have city staff on hand at the January meeting to discuss the pipeline and sidewalks on 70th Street and take questions.

Speaker Ryan Woodard, Harriet Tubman Village Charter School principal, was pleased to announce that Tubman School has been designated by San Diego City Schools to receive $47 million dollars in bond money to rebuild the aging campus. He said he would have a rendering of the new campus to show the group at the January meeting. He also talked about the current landscaping and the need for maintenance, and said he would welcome community members joining him to beautify the current campus.

Following Woodard, Jose Reynoso, College Area Community Council/Planning Board (CACC/
CAPB) president, spoke to the group about the community plan update, which has been completed and is available on the CACC website for public review and comment. The plan presents a vision of College Area that focuses on the development of three nodes based on three major intersections: Montezuma Road at College Avenue, College Avenue at El Cajon Boulevard, and Montezuma Road at El Cajon Boulevard. Development around each node will be directed toward meeting the specific needs of the surrounding neighborhood. The hope and expectation is that the plan will form a basis for the formal community plan update that the city will undertake. You will find the update at collegearea.org. 

Jim Schneider, executive director of the College Area Business District, spoke about his involvement in the preparation of the update and his enthusiasm about it. His said his strategy for business development aligns with it. He further mentioned that some building owners have plans to refurbish their storefronts.

Sue Grant, who heads up the Mesa Colony Outreach Committee, talked about her efforts to attract new membership by reaching out with information to anyone who moves into the area. Christina Boyd, CACC Outreach Committee, spoke about the first family-friendly movie night sponsored by the board on Nov. 16, at Hardy Elementary School as part of the CACC’s efforts to provide fun events for the community. She said that more movie nights are planned.

Finally, the group’s monthly dinner in support of local restaurants would not be held due to the Thanksgiving holidays. Even though the Mesa Colony Community Group will not meet in December, a dinner (location to be announced) is scheduled for Dec. 18. To receive information about the monthly dinners, contact [email protected].

—Kristi Higdon writes on behalf of the Mesa Colony Community Group.