Downtown leaders announce new safety plan

A coalition of Downtown residents and businesses announced an action plan to reduce crime, improve public safety, and enhance cleanliness in San Diego’s urban core. Led by the Downtown San Diego Partnership, the group’s five-point safety plan was endorsed by Mayor Todd Gloria during a morning rally on C Street and Third Avenue.

The five-point safety plan calls for a variety of actions, including:

• A 24/7 no tent encampment policy on all Downtown streets and sidewalks
• Increased police presence in Downtown
• Deploying a dedicated team to address psychiatric crises throughout Downtown, including MTS trolley and bus stops
• Funding for fentanyl task force operated by SDPD
• Helping people in need get off the streets by speeding up implementation of California’s conservatorship program
• Backing a ballot measure mandating stronger sentences for certain drug and theft crimes, and implementing new California laws cracking down on “smash and grabs”
• Actions to reduce trash, clean sidewalks, and improve street lighting

The full plan can be read at downtownsandiego.org/safety-plan.

Explore Downtown

Gaslamp Quarter updates its transportation guide

The Gaslamp Quarter has revamped its website’s transportation guide to make getting to-and-from the popular nightlife destination easier. A standout feature of the new website is the interactive map function, which includes unique layers for all types of mobility. The enhanced website provides clear, concise details on public transit, rideshare services, parking facilities, bike routes, and more. Visitors are encouraged to explore the new transportation page at gaslamp.org/transportation/ and watch the “Gaslamp: It All Starts With How You Get Here” video.

New tours of Little Italy

So Diego debuted a new tour through the history, culture and culinary delights of Little Italy. For locals or tourists, the tour is a way to explore the iconic neighborhood and enjoy tastings at multiple restaurants. Book through littleitalysd.com.

State of pay

2024 record year for funding

According to Crunchbase data, fundraising by San Diego County companies has already hit a record $23.6 billion in 2024 for all funding types. The funding amounts have shown a steady increase for a third consecutive year, mostly driven by Post-IPO Debt and Equity funding rounds. Several factors could contribute to this surge, including a robust investment environment, increased interest from venture capital firms and Post-IPO follow-on offering raises from the public markets. These factors indicate a positive trend in funding, potentially driving further growth and innovation in the future. $100 million plus rounds for all funding types have already outpaced the year prior by 23%, totaling 42.

In addition, the correlation between funding and tenant demand has been more pronounced in the life sciences sector for all types of funding, from Venture capital to Post-IPO capital. For example, Mirador raising a Series A $400 million and Avidity Biosciences’ Post-IPO capital of $1.2 billion have both resulted in lease transactions in 2024.

SD Foundation’s State of Latinos report

A new report commissioned by San Diego Foundation (SDF) and developed in partnership with the San Diego Regional Policy & Innovation Center found that most San Diego Latinos have individual incomes of $39,000 or less. The income gap between Latinos and non-Latinos in San Diego is substantial: Latino San Diegans make around $28,000 less per year than white, non-Latino San Diegans. More highlights:

• While San Diego’s Latino population has a high bachelor’s degree attainment, 24%, compared to Los Angeles (16%), San Bernardino (13%) and Riverside (12%) counties, they trail other groups in San Diego County with the lowest bachelor’s degree attainment.
• San Diego’s Latino population is young, with a mean age of 33, compared to 42 for San Diego’s non-Latino residents.
• The majority of San Diego’s Latinos were born in the U.S. (70%), and most immigrants are U.S. citizens (53%).

Latinos represent 35% of San Diego County’s population. Yet, compared to non-Latino San Diegans, this community faces significant economic challenges due to systemic barriers, socio-economic disparities and unique community needs. 

Data: Offices leaving Downtown

Since the onset of the pandemic, there has been a notable increase in office tenants choosing to relocate to a different submarket, surpassing the number of tenants staying within their current submarket by 23%, according to JLL. Among the submarkets in San Diego, Downtown and UTC have witnessed the largest exodus of tenants relocating to new regions outside their previous submarket. Many of these tenants have opted to move where they can find more cost-effective options and be in closer proximity to their employees. Mission Valley and Kearny Mesa have experienced a significant influx of tenants relocating from other submarkets within San Diego. These submarkets have attracted tenants due to their central locations, competitive rental rates, amenities and free parking.

SD Community College District adopts $1.05 billion budget

The San Diego Community College District governing board has adopted a balanced operating budget of more than $1.05 billion for the 2024-25 fiscal year, a budget that includes a 2.5% increase from the previous year during a time of continued enrollment growth.

Serving approximately 90,000 students annually at four colleges with campuses throughout the city, the SDCCD is the largest provider of higher education and workforce training in the region and has become a powerhouse in expanding career pathways and preparing students for a fast-evolving economy. A 2023 study found that for every $1 million in tax dollars spent educating SDCCD students, taxpayers receive an average of $1.4 million in return over the course of the students’ working lives.

The SDCCD Board of Trustees approved the spending plan on a unanimous vote at its Sept. 12 meeting. The budget includes nearly $643 million in General Fund spending and $402 million from other revenue. Funding sources are varied, and include local property taxes, enrollment fees, federal financial aid and other revenue streams.

Airport secures $26.3 million grant from FAA

The San Diego International Airport’s Terminal 1 project has accrued a total of $192.1 million in federal funding following a recent $26.3 million grant from FAA. The revamped Terminal 1 will feature 30 gates, a 5,200-space parking garage, a new baggage handling system with a 2,000-bag-per-hour capacity, and a three-lane access road to reduce congestion on Harbor Drive.

Good works

244 San Diegans kept from homelessness through Diversion program

From January to July 2024, 244 San Diegans were kept from becoming chronically homeless through the Regional Task Force on Homelessness’ Diversion practice, thanks to added funding from the County of San Diego.

When the $1 million Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer and philanthropic partners raised started being spent, 209 unduplicated households were provided support and financial assistance. On average, it costs just $2,863 per household to return people to housing.

Diversion helps steer people who recently became homeless (usually within the first month) from a shelter or living on the street because providers who are specially trained on Diversion engagement know how to ask the right questions about if a person needs family reunification, diverting temporarily as new housing is sustained, and/or relocating permanently to a safe place out of town. They also can connect them with short-term financial assistance – utility deposit, car repair, application fee, security deposit – to get them quickly rehoused. 

New clients headed to Day Center during heat waves

The Neil Good Day Center, operated by Father Joe’s Villages, saw a dramatic uptick in the number of people accessing services during extreme heat conditions in late August.

In August, the organization served more than 3,000 individuals with key services like showers, laundry, and more. There were also 412 new enrollments at the Day Center, more than double the number seen in July and the highest number so far in 2024.

The Neil Good Day Center is the only drop-in services center for people experiencing homelessness in San Diego. It provides a safe break from extreme weather conditions, as well as crucial services like a mailing address, phone charging, and free haircuts.

During August, Father Joe’s Villages served 3,821 people experiencing homelessness, including through 23,249 shelter bed nights. The Village Health Center provided medical, dental, psychiatric and behavioral health care to 1,069 unduplicated clients.

Mama’s Pies bake sale returns

Fall is upon us–which means it’s time for Mama’s Pies Thanksgiving Bake Sale! San Diego’s largest annual bake sale is back for its 20th year, raising critical funds for Mama’s Kitchen, the Food is Medicine Coalition-accredited medically tailored meal provider serving San Diegans facing malnutrition due to critical illnesses like HIV, cancer, congestive heart failure, type 2 diabetes, and chronic kidney disease.

Over the last two decades, the annual bake sale has become a San Diego staple, with more than 88,000 pies being sold to raise more than $2.2 million. Last year alone, Mama’s Pies raised over $114,000 thanks to the sale of over 2,600 pies and nearly 1,200 direct donations. Mama’s Kitchen hopes to raise $145,000 during this year’s month-long pie sale, which can fund up to 54,500 meals for the organization’s clients. All proceeds from Mama’s Pies Thanksgiving Bake Sale, both from pie sales and direct donations, directly fund Mama’s Kitchen’s medically tailored meal delivery services.

Pies go on sale Monday, Oct. 21 and close Friday, Nov. 22. To learn more, visit mamaspies.org.

Let’s celebrate!

City awarded for website improvements

In recognition of its efficient and user-friendly digital experience, the City of San Diego has received a first place award in The Center for Digital Government’s 2024 Government Experience Awards. These awards recognize the achievements of states, cities and counties that have raised the bar on the experience of government services to create a better-engaged constituency and a more responsive government. 

According to The Center for Digital Government, the city was awarded first place in the “city” category for its website’s topic-based organization, readable content, user-centric design, increase in online forms and greater transparency and accountability. The city was also recognized for the continued revamping of its customer engagement strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic to foster ease of access to City programs and services for residents and businesses via Sandiego.gov.

Phyllis Barber named president of Downtown Lions Club

The Downtown San Diego Lions Club announced Phyllis Barber is the new president of the club. A Navy veteran, Barber, will be taking over from Jonathan Moiser whose emphasis was on, “Show Up, Do Something.” She was officially sworn in at the Lions annual Installation Dinner on the deck of the Downtown Lions Manor.

Barber will continue to focus on moving the Downtown San Diego Lions Club forward in 2024 and 2025 with an emphasis on growing the membership so they can help even more organizations, individuals and causes in the San Diego area.

Indie film “To Fall in Love” announces distribution

A locally-produced indie film will be released on North American cable and streaming platforms on Oct. 22. After a successful film festival run including the world-renowned San Diego International Film Festival, “To Fall In Love” was courted by Gravitas Ventures, an Anthem Sports & Entertainment Company, for distribution.

Four filmmakers who first met in San Diego collaborated on “To Fall In Love,” about an estranged couple navigating a last-ditch effort to save their marriage. Written by Jennifer Lane and directed by San Diego native Michael Foster, actors Beth Gallagher and Eric Casalini take viewers on a painstaking and emotion-inducing journey through psychologist Arthur Aron’s famous relationship tool “36 Questions To Fall in Love.”

“To Fall in Love” will be available to rent or own on Oct. 22 and is currently live for pre-orders on iTunes: apple.co/4d3nJrw. To read about how the movie was made, visit sdnews.com/san-diego-intl-film-fest-includes-local-micro-budget-indie-film-to-fall-in-love.

Handbag company celebrating 12 years with BOGO sale

Sash Bag, the San Diego-based company that’s redefined the handbag game with its patented hands-free design, is celebrating its 12-year anniversary in style. For one day only on Oct. 11, Sash Bag will be offering a Buy One, Get One Free sale across all styles and sizes with no limits—a 24-hour celebration of customer love, thriving community spirit, and hands-free freedom!

Following the smashing success of last year’s first-ever BOGO Free sale, which broke all single-day sales records, this year’s event is set to be even bigger. “Last year, we dipped our toes in with just 12 hours of BOGO Free, and it was a total blowout!” says Nichole MacDonald, founder of Sash Bag. “Our customers went wild for it, so we’re turning up the fun this year—24 hours of BOGO madness, sitewide! Whether you’re treating yourself or stocking up on holiday gifts, now’s the perfect time to shop with Sash Bag.”

For more information, visit thesashbag.com.

Museums and exhibits

Kids get in free at museums this month

The San Diego Museum Council has announced the return of the popular Kids Free San Diego program, now in its 13th year. From Oct. 1 to 31, children ages 12 and under can enjoy free admission to more than 50 museums, aquariums/zoos, gardens, state parks, historic sites and other family-friendly attractions throughout San Diego County. Sites include some of San Diego’s most popular sites, including the USS Midway Museum, Fleet Science Center, Birch Aquarium and San Diego Air & Space Museum, as well as many hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Some locations are free for the entire family or offer pay-what-you-wish admission year-round. A full list of participating museums can be found on the San Diego Museum Council website.

Chicano history at City Hall

The City Clerk Archives, in proud collaboration with the Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center (CPMCC), is holding a groundbreaking exhibit honoring both American Archives Month and Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month. Titled “Telling Our Stories and Preserving Our Histories: The Chicano Movement in San Diego,” the exhibit runs through Oct. 18. at the City Administration Building (202 C Street lobby).

This exhibit is part of the city clerk’s inaugural “Telling Our Stories and Preserving Our Histories” series, which seeks to document and celebrate the rich and diverse history of San Diego’s communities. By engaging with community storytellers and exploring new preservation techniques, the exhibit aims to offer a comprehensive view of “The Chicano Movement in San Diego” and its lasting impact.

New Navy Seal Museum Downtown receives giant artifact through second-story window

The upcoming Navy SEAL Museum San Diego (NSMSD), located at 1001 Kettner Blvd., received a SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) that was crane-lifted into the museum’s second floor in a highly visible installation on Sept. 26.

The SDV is 21-ft. long and weighs over 1,600 lbs. It shipped cross country from Navy SEAL Museum, Fort Pierce via flatbed truck. Once inside, the SDV will eventually be suspended from the ceiling 15 ft. overhead. Visitors will be able to witness the collection piece’s size and scale personally when the Museum opens in Summer/Fall 2025.

Naval Special Warfare has been using SDVs since the 1970s in various configurations. SDVs are used to recon enemy harbors, conduct anti-ship operations, and covertly insert and extract U.S. Navy SEALs. They can be deployed from submarines and other craft.