District 2 Councilmember Kevin Faulconer says residents can look forward to slowly emerging infrastructure improvements in the many beach communities he represents, along with the city’s bustling downtown area. The councilman’s State of the District address exuded an air of political theater as he stood on the set of the musical play “Bed and Sofa” at the Cygnet Old Town Theatre on Twiggs Street on April 27. Faulconer said he would push for infrastructure improvements such as the Ocean Beach Gateway project and Mission Bay improvements that should begin this year. City finance reforms and “streamlining city bureaucracy” remain his top priorities. “That means looking at how we’re spending money, bringing in competition for city services and asking our employees that they do a better job as well,” Faulconer said. Faulconer used the night’s platform to highlight community issues and taxpayer-funded projects. He said he expects the city to break ground on much-awaited intersection improvements for Rosecrans Street and Midway Drive by this summer. The project includes the expansion of the left-turn lanes for the Rosecrans Street and Sports Arena Boulevard as well. The project cost is estimated at about $400,000, according to city council District 2 staff. Residents and business owners in the Midway area are also expected to update their community plan in the fall. Community plans offer guidelines for local business and residential development. “This [Midway community] plan is expected to help us decide how to write Sports Arena Boulevard’s next chapter and reduce traffic congestion,” Faulconer said. An estimated $4 million is also slated for Old Town entrance corridor improvements, including along Juan Street. Beryl Street in Pacific Beach also sits on a list for repaving and other improvements scheduled for this year, he said. The street improvements come from the city’s $103 million infrastructure bond funding Mayor Jerry Sanders announced in March, according to staff. Making progress on city finance reform will help beat back the estimated $1.2 billion in the unfunded retiree healthcare benefits debt that the city must eventually pay, Faulconer said. The establishment of an independent city auditor, who would report directly to the city audit committee, represents a driving force behind the city’s financial reforms, according to Faulconer. Faulconer voted along with the rest of the City Council to cut compensation to city employees to save an estimated $30 million next fiscal year. The city faces an estimated $60 million budget shortfall. Faulconer also backed Sanders’ plan for managed competition for city-provided services as a way to run the city more efficiently. The city’s managed competition process is currently on hold until Sanders comes before the City Council with a detailed plan — something Faulconer said he expects to happen later this year. The councilman also addressed quality of life issues. He praised the citywide beach alcohol ban for creating safer beaches, while asking Mission Beach residents to “stay tuned” for future infrastructure improvements. Expected revenue from the voter-approved Mission Bay revenue-sharing measure promises to fulfill an estimated $200,000 to $300,000 backlog of improvements at Mission Bay, including expanding wetlands and completion of pedestrian walkways, Faulconer said. Voters approved the Mission Bay Park measure in November. The ordinance allows for about $20 million in lease revenue generated from Mission Bay to go toward improvements at Mission Bay Park itself instead of into the city’s general fund. “Making sure that with our new Mission Bay monies, that it’s being spent for the public and environment,” he said. “I’m very excited to get started on that in July.” Faulconer said residents can also look forward to more development near Downtown as the Centre City Development Corporation continues to acquire land in East Village communities. Faulconer touched briefly on addressing the need for transitional housing while offering medical and employment resources for downtown’s homeless population. Peninsula Community Planning Board member Donna Kaup attended the councilman’s address. Many in the community showed support for Faulconer, but there’s still a lot of work to be done, she said. Greg Finley, a Peninsula resident, said he thinks Faulconer is doing a good job overall as the council representative for District 2. “I’d like to see him lead us to the big gorilla facing the [Peninsula] community, and that’s the airport,” Finley said. San Diego International Airport development at Lindbergh Field has long been an issue for Peninsula residents concerned about the potential for increased traffic along North Harbor Drive and neighborhoods exposed to jet noise. Faulconer’s district seat covers several prominent San Diego communities, including La Jolla, Midway, North Bay, Bankers Hill, Park West, downtown, Little Italy and Point Loma.