I’ve been working on several longer-term projects in recent weeks that have taken my attention from day-to-day developments in South County.
I published one of those projects earlier this month, a story about the messy dispute between Chula Vista and its veteran police chief.
I’m now at work on another story about substance use treatment (or the lack thereof) in South County.
With July 4 approaching and everyone easing into summer mode, now seemed like a good time to catch up on recent developments. Read this, feel informed then set it all aside and have fun this weekend.
Budget Brings New Spending to South County
The big news happened earlier today.
San Diego County Supervisors approved a $9.2 billion budget, including $523 million in added spending. Supervisors dipped into the county’s reserves to pay for some of the new spending.
Supervisor Paloma Aguirre highlighted several new or bolstered initiatives that she said would benefit South County.
Initiatives include $20 million for unspecified cleanup projects in the Tijuana River, along with $2.5 million to help fix a notorious hot spot on the river that churns up sewage-laden water and creates toxic fumes.
Aguirre has worked in recent months to secure additional state funds to speed up the hot spot fix.
The budget also funds 122 new social service workers. The workers will help lower-income residents navigate new rules designed by federal officials to make it harder for people to access federally funded food and healthcare programs.
Other initiatives include funds to bolster affordable housing, a program to develop housing earmarked for immigrants, continued funding for immigrant legal defense services and initial steps toward creating a new county department focused on youth development.
“This budget delivers real money for real solutions,” Aguirre said. “Today, South County wins.”
It should be noted that a recent San Diego County Taxpayers Association analysis of the county budget found supervisors’ increased spending and use of reserve funds risks putting the county on what the report called an unsustainable fiscal trajectory.
In her comments following passage of the budget, Aguirre seemed aware of the criticism.
“Our reserves are fully funded, our credit rating is strong and we are laser focused on helping communities in need,” she said.
Skepticism Continues About Port Proposal
Also this week, commissioners at the Port of San Diego voted Tuesday to enter a two-year negotiating agreement with a Virginia Beach-based developer proposing to build a massive sports, retail and hotel complex on 124 vacant acres along the Chula Vista bayfront.
The developer, Divaris Group, first proposed the $2.2 billion project last year. The proposal includes a promise the development will be anchored by a tennis center affiliated with what a port staff report called an “elite professional athlete.”
I have held off writing about this project because, behind the scenes, most of what I’ve heard about it since it first appeared has been highly skeptical.
Sources at both the port and the city of Chula Vista say they’re excited about the prospect of bringing another major development to the bayfront. But they’re not convinced the developer can deliver.
One port commissioner at a meeting this week called the proposal “half-baked.”
So far, the developer has worked to secure agreements with local labor leaders, who can make or break development projects, depending on whether projects stand to benefit union members.
A port staff report said the developer also secured what it called a letter of interest from an elite athlete organization that would anchor the tennis center.
A source close to the port said the tennis center could be similar to a tennis training academy in New York helmed by tennis legend John McEnroe.
The port staff report said the elite athlete organization signaled in its letter that Southern California is an important tennis market and that the proposed development is aligned with the organization’s long-term growth strategy.
But the report also acknowledged that “a binding public commitment from the tennis center…is the critical component upon which the entire proposed development is predicated.”
In other words, no tennis star, no project.
Port officials said initial market studies indicate there’s a need for more tennis facilities in San Diego County.
But is there a need for a world-class tennis facility in Chula Vista? That’s what residents now have an opportunity to ask themselves.
Based on my own observations, I’d say Chula Vista is more of a soccer town than a tennis destination.
Still, I’ll keep an eye on this development and report more when it looks like it might come to fruition.
Fireworks!
Want to celebrate America’s 250th birthday without burning down your neighborhood? Here’s a rundown of local July 4 fireworks displays.
Chula Vista: The city will hold its annual 4th Fest starting at 7 p.m. July 4 at the Elite Athlete Training Center, 2720 Olympic Parkway. The event is free and there will be food for purchase from a variety of vendors. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. More information, including a list of recommended parking places, here.
Imperial Beach: The city will host a free July 4 celebration at the Imperial Beach Pier. The event includes food for sale, activities and live music played by the IB Waves Band and the Marine Band San Diego. Fireworks, shot from the pier, begin at 9 p.m. More information here.
National City: The city, along with the local Lions Club, will present the 80th annual 4th of July Carnival July 1-5 at Kimball Park next door to City Hall. The carnival includes rides, games, food vendors, live entertainment and a fireworks display at 9 p.m. July 4. Admission is free. More information here.