By Nancy Moors

The neighborhood of Bankers Hill was named for the civic pioneers who made it their home, and today’s growing community has an influx of young professionals and emerging businesses melding into an established older community. The energy ignited through monthly meetings, websites and social media allows more individuals to be a part a newly formed group for residents, property owners and businesses.

In 2011, a group of volunteers (with no funding or dues) established monthly meetings to share community information and successfully advocate on behalf of the neighborhood’s residents and business owners. First named the Bankers Hill Residents Group, the name changed in 2014 to the Bankers Hill Community Group (BHCG) to better describe the outreach and advocacy that has gained kudos from the neighborhood.

The BHCG has celebrated successes like a new crosswalk at Sixth and Spruce decked out with solar-powered, pedestrian-activated flashing lights. The crosswalk now provides for a much safer passage to Balboa Park and the children’s playground, thanks to the persistence of the Bankers Hill Community Group and a little help from Council President Todd Gloria.

Later this year, the BHCG Design Committee presented plans to the group for a development at the site of the old Mandarin House restaurant. A notably negative response to the original design was turned around. The design committee met with the developer and successfully advocated for underground parking and a better street level design that will improve the pedestrian experience. The design committee has also worked on a better crossing of Fourth Avenue on the east side of the Quince Street pedestrian bridge.

Some of the speakers and guests to the BHCG include Rep. Susan Davis, Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins and Gloria, who represents the neighborhood on the City Council. The Bankers Hill Community Group has worked to bring together neighborhood developers, the city of San Diego, SANDAG, San Diego Pride and other organizations to hear the voice of the people. The group also works closely with the Bankers Hill Parking Committee to outreach for pedestrian, bicycling and parking improvements.

The parking committee holds public meetings the first Monday of each month (except December) at 5 p.m. in the community room at Merrill Gardens, 2567 Second Ave. This group represents the neighborhood on the board of the Uptown Community Parking District, a group of business owners and residents who plan how to invest parking meter revenue back into the each neighborhood.

The BHCG has an elected board of directors who work closely with a steering committee to set agendas and coordinate meeting details. All meetings are open to the public; residents, businesses and property owners are all encouraged to attend and become involved.

Meetings are held on the third Monday of each month (except in August and December) at the San Diego Indoor Sports Club (soon to be renamed the Bankers Hill Clubhouse) located at 3030 Front St. Centrally located with lots of free parking for those don’t already walk or ride a bike to the meetings. A half-hour social before the 6:30 p.m. meetings allows neighbors the opportunity to visit with old friends and make new ones while local businesses are given an opportunity to showcase their services. The general meeting and organized presentations run from 6:30 – 8 p.m.

It’s easy to communicate with the Bankers Hill Community Group via their Facebook page, Twitter or BankersHillCommunity.org.

Wherever you live, please get involved in groups to make your community better!