Housing

Historic Gaslamp affordable housing building sold

Urban Property Group (UPG), a real estate services firm specializing in urban and coastal commercial property, is proud to announce the sale of the mixed-use building known as the Lincoln Hotel for $2.55 million. The property, located at 534-536 5el Ave., is a historically designated Marker Number 60 in the Gaslamp Quarter.

The building, featuring four stories and approximately 14,503 square feet, is currently occupied by El Cabron Restaurant on the ground floor and 41 affordable housing units on the upper floors.

Lincoln Hotel Partnership sold the property with representation by Bill Shrader of UPG to the buyer, Cyrus and Emilia Investments, which plans to renovate the affordable housing component of the property.

Plans for new city hall, redevelopment move forward

As part of Mayor Gloria’s Civic Center Revitalization effort, the city council voted 8-to-1 to let development teams present their plans for five blocks of Downtown real estate where the civic center and other key city buildings currently sit. After the city council declared the area ‘surplus land,’ the city blocks can now be sold or leased under the state’s Surplus Land Act. The vote also secured funding to hire consultants about building a new city hall.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Gloria is pursuing a two-pronged approach to the redevelopment, with the redevelopment of the old city hall partially funding the construction of a new city hall on an adjoining piece of land. If all goes well, this would add many units of low-income housing in the center of the city and new facilities for city workers.

Construction starts on affordable housing project sponsored by county

Construction started a few weeks ago by BRIDGE Housing Corp. on a county-sponsored affordable housing project — Kettner Crossing — that will offer 63 units (six studios, three two-bedrooms, and 55 one-bedrooms) at the downtown San Diego site. The target population: seniors age 55 and older earning 30 to 50% of the Area Median Income, which is currently $31,250 to $52,050 for a household of two.

Serving Seniors will provide a resident services coordinator to offer residents with case management, medical case management and enrichment programs offered on site (nutrition and cooking).

The project will include an 8th floor deck with a community room, BBQ area, library and shared laundry, and on the ground floor, a leasing office, resident services office and bike storage.

Large block industrial leasing sees pullback in San Diego

San Diego’s industrial market saw three leases greater than 50,000 square feet signed during the first quarter of 2023, an acute slowdown from the 10 signed in fourth quarter 2022 and the 12 signed during the first quarter 2022. That’s according to JLL’s Industrial Insight report by Logan Hood, JLL Research Analyst.

Logistics companies accounted for 46% of total leasing volume in Q1, highlighted by RL Jones’ relocation within the Otay Mesa submarket where 44% of market-wide leasing volume was concentrated.

Although large block leasing had a leisurely start to the year, the back half of 2023 is expected to pick up with 51 tenant requirements larger than 50,000 square feet actively engaged in the market, according to JLL.

Government updates

San Diego County restaurants can apply for $5k grants

The California Restaurant Foundation is offering $5,000 grants to San Diego County restaurants that require upgrades to kitchen appliances or their website. The Restaurant Care Resilience Fund is a partnership with the California food industry trade group and California utility companies, Southern California Gas, Pacific Gas & Electric, and San Diego Gas & Electric. The fund totals $2.1 million and will award larger grants to 366 restaurants across California. Eligible restaurants must have less than $3 million in annual revenue and be a customer of SDG&E. Priority will be given to restaurants owned by women and people of color.

To apply, visit the California Restaurant Foundation’s website at restaurantscare.org/resilience.

FCC grant will promote internet connectivity program for low income households

The San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) will expand its collaborative efforts to help more families with low income access affordable, quality and reliable broadband internet service with help from a new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) grant.

SDHC will receive more than $230,000. The grant supports awareness, outreach and assistance for households to apply for the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides eligible households with a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service and a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

With the FCC grant, SDHC’s objective is to reach out to approximately 120,000 households in the City of San Diego that are eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Public input sought on Alternative to Incarceration report

The County wants to hear from you on a new report with recommendations for programs and services to redirect people contacted for low level charges away from jails when there is not a threat to public safety. There are a number of other ways to comment including via comment card or through public comment on the report during the May 23 Board of Supervisors meeting when the final report will be presented to the Board.

This comes after the release of SANDAG’s “A Data-Driven Approach to Protecting Public Safety.” Several recommendations were made including:

• Consider additional booking alternatives that increase connection to services and resources for individuals who have contact with law enforcement and for those exiting detention facilities.

• Build capacity for expansion and regionalization of sobering services.

• Ensure individuals are released from custody in ways that support successful reentry.

• Work to meet the health, behavioral health, and housing needs of the most vulnerable individuals both during and after incarceration.

Read the rest of the report on the County website.

City Attorney sues California Theatre owners

The city attorney sued the owners of the dilapidated California Theatre on Fourth Avenue, seeking to have the property declared a continuing public nuisance.

The action, filed by the City Attorney’s Nuisance Abatement Unit, seeks civil penalties of $2,500 per day for each ongoing violation of San Diego Municipal Code. Violations include the buildings being structurally unsound and containing hazardous materials, while being a shelter for transients and a venue for skateboarders, young explorers, and graffiti artists.

The California Theatre, located at 1122 Fourth Avenue, at C Street, opened in 1927, showing silent movies and vaudeville acts. It has been shuttered for more than 30 years.

Caydon Property Group, which is based in Australia, purchased the theater in 2019, knowing the buildings’ failing condition. Since then, the already-declining buildings have fallen even further into disrepair. Fires have been set inside by transients. Even the exteriors of the buildings pose a hazard to pedestrians, as portions of the aging façade have fallen to the ground.

Good works

The Noble Paperie partners with CooperSurgical to support families struggling with infertility

CooperSurgical, a global leader in fertility and women’s health, announced a partnership with San Diego-based The Noble Paperie, which makes cards and paper products dedicated to supporting families along their journeys through miscarriage, infertility, and birth. This partnership will start with three cards designed specifically for friends and family to send to women and men dealing with infertility and are available for sale today in honor of National Infertility Awareness Week. CooperSurgical will match 50% of proceeds from the cards sales in a donation to RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association.

Northwestern Mutual gives $15k grant to GiGi’s Playhouse

Celebrating the philanthropic work of its financial advisors, Northwestern Mutual recognized the individuals who have shown outstanding volunteerism and leadership through its 2023 Community Service Awards. Now in its 28th year, the awards program is distributing $270,000 to nonprofits nationwide. San Diego resident Kelci Wilner, a financial advisor at Northwestern Mutual – San Diego, has been named a 2023 Community Service Award winner, receiving a $15,000 grant for GiGi’s Playhouse.

GiGi’s Playhouse offers free educational, therapeutic, and career-building programs to individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the community. In 2018, Wilner began volunteering with the nonprofit, and soon after, she helped launch a literacy tutoring program. Today, Wilner serves as the board president where she has the responsibility of running monthly board meetings, recruiting volunteers and board members, and spreading awareness.

$1 million grant to art conservation

Balboa Art Conservation Center (BACC), the only nonprofit regional conservation center in the western region, has received one million dollars from the Mellon Foundation, the nation’s largest supporter of the arts and humanities. This funding will support BACC’s evolution into a radically inclusive nonprofit art conservation organization and its mission centered on sustainability and inclusivity.

The funding from the Mellon Foundation will support a Radical Equity approach to growth to ensure BACC’s vision for equity and transformative healing is achieved within the organization’s own structure and workplace, as well as the communities it serves. The investment will also strengthen BACC’s organizational infrastructure, maximize inclusive programming and staffing, and expand its services to include objects and preventive conservation.

Feeding San Diego, Starbucks divert food waste

Since 2016, 3,098,942 pounds of food have been rescued from local Starbucks stores, including popular items from the chain like sandwiches, wraps, protein boxes, and pastries. Feeding San Diego, the only Feeding America partner food bank in the region, was the first to join the FoodShare program back in 2016. The non-profit works with its agency partners to distribute the food directly to the community. Partners include other non-profits like Jewish Family Services and Third Avenue Charitable Association. Across San Diego County, over 200 Starbucks stores donate to Feeding San Diego.

The program has managed to crack the logistical puzzle of connecting the fresh food with Feeding San Diego thanks to a partnership with Penske, a transportation services company that picks up the food donations daily and gets them to Feeding San Diego’s distribution center in Sorrento Valley, where partners can either pick it up or it can be delivered by a Feeding San Diego driver.

Nearly 200 smaller, local agencies work with Feeding San Diego to get food free of charge for their own programs, whether it’s a client choice food pantry or a hot meals program. Eleven of those agencies are able to benefit from the Starbucks FoodShare program.

Eventos

Sisterhood of Service event

Shelter to Soldier, a San Diego non-profit committed to supporting veterans on their mental health journey with trained psychiatric service dogs, along with Zero8hundred, whose mission is to support transitioning military members throughout their post service lifecycle through impact, engagement, and community connection, will host the inaugural “Sisterhood of Service” event on Thursday, May 18, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Mission Beach Women’s Club, located at 840 Santa Clara Place, 92109.

Sponsored by The Boeing Company, the free event will honor more than 100 women who have served this great nation through military service. Shelter to Soldier and Zero8Hundred will honor their service, assist them with resources that can help them thrive following military service, and inspire them to continue to be a voice for women who serve and are transitioning to civilian life.

For more information and to register, please visit bit.ly/sisterhoodofservice.

Recycle paint event

Each year about 800 million gallons of architectural paint is sold in the United States. Did you know that around 10 percent of that paint goes unused and is available for recycling? It’s estimated that millions of containers of paint are stored in residential basements and garages across California. This year, it’s time to think “green” while you spring clean and start recycling your unwanted paint.

Recycled paint can be given away free to households, businesses, and non-profits such as Habitat for Humanity, keeping it out of landfills. To find a drop-off site near you, visit paintcare.org.

Free concert empowering unhoused, incarcerated youth

The David’s Harp Foundation (DHF) welcomes San Diegans as well as an audience around the globe to participate in a free concert and celebrate the official launch of Red Dot, its new, student-founded live-stream video and event production company. Developed by two 19-year-old DHF students, Red Dot’s inspiring story of innovation and entrepreneurship empowers the voices of opportunity youth, and in the process helps to address educational inequality, provide alternatives to incarceration, and homelessness in the San Diego community.

To celebrate the launch of Red Dot at Moniker Warehouse (705 16th St., 92101) and showcase the venue’s new broadcast facilities and design-forward renovations, Moniker Group and The David’s Harp Foundation will host The Red Dot Concert on Thursday, May 11 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. San Diego-based singer-songwriter and DHF graduate Shua will headline the evening’s entertainment. The event is open to the public and free-to-attend with advance registration. In-person attendees can enjoy interactive music and beat stations, tour the Warehouse’s event venues, and participate in creative photo opportunities. Craft cocktails and beverages by Moniker Cocktail Co. will be available for purchase. Visit monikerwarehouse.com for event information, advance registration, and to watch the concert stream live day-of.

Gator by the Bay holds 20el festival

The 20th Annual Gator por la bahía by the Bon Temps Social Club of San Diego brings the tastes and sounds of New Orleans and the Louisiana Bayou to Spanish Landing Park, 3900 North Harbor Dr., May 11-14, 2023, with live Zydeco, blues, roots, Creole & Cajun, rockabilly, salsa and New Orleans Jazz; strolling buskers, kids’ activities, daily Mardi Gras parades, Cajun and Creole cuisines and that inimitable southern spirit.

Since its inception in 2001, the festival has grown to showcase not only Grammy winning Cajun and Zydeco artists from Louisiana, but also legendary Chicago and California blues artists, rockabilly and roots performers, and award-winning salsa and Latin bands. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit gatorbythebay.com.

Seaport Village’s Cinco de Mayo celebration on Saturday

Seaport Village, downtown San Diego’s iconic shopping and dining complex on the bay, is set to host a Cinco de Mayo celebration on Saturday, May 6 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Presented in partnership with Canal 12 Televisa, the free family-friendly event will play host to the gamut of live entertainment, captivating performances, and an all-around Mexican fiesta. Activities and programming will centralize in Seaport’s Lighthouse District at 849 W. Harbor Drive.

Jazz and dance show at Balboa Theatre

San Diego Ballet Artistic Director Javier Velasco and San Diego’s favorite “Queen of Boogie Woogie” Sue Palmer last worked together in 2011 on the World Premiere of “The Toughest Girl Alive” featuring Candye Kane at Moxie Theatre.

The old friends have kept in touch and get a chance to collaborate again on San Diego Ballet’s upcoming two-part Jazz and Dance show at the Balboa Theatre. The long-overdue creative partnership will culminate in Eight to the Barre, for two shows only, May 20 and 21.

Beloved by jazz aficionados, swing dancers, and San Diego’s LGBTQ+ community, Sue Palmer and her Motel Swing Orchestra will take center stage for the first half of the program surrounded by San Diego’s finest classical dancers. This World Premiere suite of dances will feature seven musicians on stage and eight San Diego Ballet company dancers.

The second half features Artistic Director Javier Velasco’s seminal salute to Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, and Benny Goodman, “Opus…Swing!”

Para más información visite sandiegoballet.org/shows/jazz-and-dance/.

Openings

Pizzeria and print shop to employ homeless youth

The Lucky Duck Foundation and Rolf Benirschke Legacy Foundation announced a brand-new pizzeria and print shop called “Timmy’s place.” It is named after Mary and Rolf Benirschke’s son, Timmy, who overcame homelessness and addiction after living on the streets for more than five years. Their mission is to train and employ homeless youth at the Urban Street Angels’ (USA) Downtown youth homeless center. The nonprofit social enterprise is expected to employ more than fifty youth every year.

The pizzeria opened to the public on May 2 and serves pizzas, sandwiches, pastries, coffees, and more. The print shop will have a high-capacity automated screen-printing machine that can produce thousands of units as well as equipment to handle customizable products. Additionally, merchandise featuring designs, logos, and creations made by USA youth will be displayed and sold. The pizzeria & print shop will be operated by the Union of Pan Asian Communities (UPAC), which currently operates a similar successful café, catering, and print shop social enterprise in City Heights that mentors, trains, and employs diverse local youth at its Neighborhood Enterprise Center.

Timmy’s Place is projected to be a self-sustaining endeavor after one year. To cover operating costs during the first year, the Lucky Duck Foundation is inviting the public to “fund a shift” for homeless youth. A donation of $100 will cover a four-hour shift for youth at Timmy’s and other programs like it. To donate, please visit:luckyduckfoundation.org/timmysplace

Rooftop bar and restaurant opens in the Gaslamp

Recently opened Kimpton Alma San Diego welcomes its newest dining destination, Leave of Absence, in the heart of the historic Gaslamp Quarter. Spearheaded by the acclaimed Los Angeles-based chef-restaurateur Jason Neroni, Leave of Absence is located on the pool deck of the hotel and features a menu of craveable finger-foods straight out of their stone, wood-fired oven. In addition to being a lively, poolside restaurant and hangout, Leave of Absence will also serve as a venue for live musical performances, DJ sets, workout classes and more.

Children’s Museum opens new garden with free community day

The New Children’s Museum (NCM) has received an Environmental Champion grant from San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) to support our Barona Student Native Plant Garden Project, called ‘Iipay Nyechewuuw. In partnership with Barona Indian Charter School and Barona Cultural Center & Museum, NCM will be able to revitalize and activate its Garden Studio, located in Children’s Museum Park across from the Museum.

'Iipay Nyechewuuw at NCM integrates climate literacy and urban greening. As a part of their Culture Class Heritage Project with Barona Cultural Center & Museum, eighth graders will plant raised beds of native plants—those traditionally used for food, tools, and medicine by the Kumeyaay People.

To celebrate the garden, the community is invited to a free day on May 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Father Joe’s launches online thrift store

Father Joe’s Villages, a leading homeless service provider in San Diego, launched a new online thrift store April 24, expanding its retail operations from the brick-and-mortar stores. The store will sell gently used clothing, jewelry, entertainment, household goods, accessories, electronics, and other items donated by supporters, with all the revenue going towards transforming the lives of homeless individuals and families. All retail sales raise funds for the organization’s critical programs and services.

The online thrift store will feature promotions for its customers during the first four weeks of its launch. Thrift stores offer a sustainable way to raise funds for essential resources and programs at Father Joe’s Villages. Father Joe’s Villages supporters outside of the San Diego area will now have the opportunity to support the organization by shopping online. 100% of the revenue received from donated items goes toward transforming the lives of individuals and families experiencing homelessness in San Diego.

Visit the thrift store at my.neighbor.org/shop.