Notes from the October Board of Directors Meeting
(takes place the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m.)
General
San Diego for Open Government (SDFOG) filed a lawsuit against all the city’s BIDs, including the ECBBIA, a couple years ago. They are still working through the lawsuit. More information here: https://sandiegans4opengov.wordpress.com/2015/06/16/san-diegans-for-open-government-sues-city-of-san-diego-for-illegal-taxes-business-improvement-districts-for-conflicts-of-interest/
The BIA is currently seeking sponsorships for their banners on the lamp posts.
The BID Alliance is a resource for all 17 city BIDS. Learn more: http://bidcouncil.org/
PopUp15
The Mayor’s office is working to figure out the sale terms of these lots. It would be a lot faster for the city and state to sell to any interested party, rather than going through a lengthy RFP process and establishing a pubic/private partnership to develop the land. The BIA and city council are hoping for the latter to make this project into something beneficial for the community.
Little Saigon
The Little Saigon district, which begins at Highland Ave and continues east along the Boulevard through Euclid Ave, received an arts grant. Look for a mobile museum coming to the district mid-2018.
8 new trees have been planted in the district in the past few months. Pavers have been laid and will be stenciled with the lotus design. The BIA reached out to the community via Nextdoor for help with the stenciling. They are working with D9 for financing and artists for murals in the district.
Economic Development
The BIA, in conjunction with the Mayor and Council offices, just hosted their second developers bus tour which took place on Oct. 18. The tour hosted twice the number of people as the previous tour a few years ago and highlighted the many opportunities on the East end as well as some completed and in process projects that were just conceptual during the last tour.
“With over $200 million in property sales since the 2014 BLVD Investor Tour, The Boulevard has never been so desirable! El Cajon Boulevard’s 4-mile historic business corridor is anticipating the delivery of 400+ apartments that include mix-use, market rate, affordable and senior housing.
On Wednesday, October 18th, in partnership with ULI San Diego-Tijuana, the El Cajon Boulevard BIA hosted an investor’s tour to welcome two MTS busloads of developers to learn first-hand, from elected officials and leaders of the community, about plans, projects and opportunities for dense, transit oriented development on The Boulevard. With its overall centrality and alignment to our city’s charming, walkable communities, we explored this hotbed of economic development to highlight its tremendous business activation, forward thinking placemaking activities, notable development projects that are paving the way for the El Cajon Boulevard of the 21st Century.”
The City has a plan to increase housing supply and boost affordability. Many of these new regulations, or removal of antiquated regulations, have already been adopted or approved. More details: https://www.sandiego.gov/mayor/news/releases/mayor-faulconer-councilmembers-unveil-plan-increase-housing-supply-boost-affordability
Design and Parking
SDSU did a redesign of the African-Caribbean grocery store at 4811 ECB to help with storefront improvement.
DECO bikes are set to be installed in 3 locations on the West end at Florida, Oregon, and 30th.
Holiday lights will be installed and lit on 7 bridges over the 805 as in previous years.