![\"HBA](\"https:\/\/sduptownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/web-MAIN-hillcrest-steam-IMG_5653.jpg\")
It\u2019s widely known that Hillcrest residents and business owners have noticed an uptick in vagrancy in recent years and on occasions some people have experienced aggressive behavior. It is a common topic of conversation among friends and colleagues and has often been an agenda item at Hillcrest resident and business group meetings.<\/p>\n
The goal of the HBA, the oldest business association in San Diego, is to offer business improvement services, which are focused on helping the retail businesses and other operations that reside within the business district. Under the HBA\u2019s Hillcrest Clean & Safe umbrella \u2014 which is modeled after San Diego Downtown Partnership\u2019s successful Clean & Safe program \u2014 initiatives have a variety of funding sources and many go over and above traditional business improvement.<\/p>\n
Clean & Safe services include issuing permits for sidewalk signs, furnishings and encroachments; providing security team patrols; steam and power washing sidewalks; litter pick-up; maintaining over 50 trash and recycling cans; on-call large item pickups; undertaking special cleaning projects; gardening; trimming more than 200 trees; and maintenance of the Hillcrest sign and Pride Flag.<\/p>\n
Specified Maintenance Assessment District (MAD) funds for these efforts cover the core of Hillcrest, which is approximately 17 blocks in an area that generates out from the Hillcrest sign. That leaves a lot of what residents, businesses and others who frequent the neighborhood would consider \u201cHillcrest proper\u201d out of the loop.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese areas were defined over 20 years ago when certain areas were busier.\u00a0Businesses have come and gone, and density has shifted,\u201d said Eddie Reynoso, marketing and member services director for the HBA.<\/p>\n
As a result of these shifts, there has been a push in recent months by the HBA to expand services into an East MAD \u2014 which would include the areas on the end of Hillcrest that houses the Pride Flag.<\/p>\n
Adding to what the homeless community already brings to sidewalk wear-and-tear is bar traffic and bus stops, as well as the ficus and Jacaranda trees throughout the neighborhood. Normally, sidewalks in the core area of Hillcrest get steam cleaned\/pressure washed once a month. Areas outside of the core were cleaned every six months. With the hepatitis A outbreak, this is changing.<\/p>\n
HBA recently launched a pilot program where additional steam cleaning could be member-sponsored, or \u201celective,\u201d meaning a business within the core could pay to have their area steam cleaned on a block-by-block basis. On Sept. 12, the HBA board voted to extend that program to those outside of the current MAD.<\/p>\n
Reynoso said because of the reclaimed water process used in the steam cleaning, the program would require that each business on an entire block face participate, in order to maintain the viability of set-up and breakdown costs.<\/p>\n
\u201cI recently met with Steve from In & Out Pressure Washing to establish a calendar that I can post, along with a map showing what areas are due to be cleaned and which areas have already been done,\u201d Reynoso said.\u00a0\u201cThis page will launch on HillcrestBIA.org within the next couple of weeks and it will help people see how their funds are being spent, what services they are receiving and when.\u201d<\/p>\n
Councilmember Chris Ward heard about the program and decided to offer a $5,000 matching grant from his Community Project, Programs and Services (CPPS) funds for those business owners who opt into the elective program.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe impacts of San Diego\u2019s homeless crisis have been increasingly felt outside of Downtown, and as the city continues to develop new strategies to address the crisis, community groups have also been stepping up in important ways to respond in our neighborhoods,\u201d Ward said in a press release announcing the match. \u201cThe Hillcrest Business Association has done a great job getting this program off the ground, and I\u2019m pleased that my office can invest in keeping Hillcrest safe and vibrant for our residents, businesses, and visitors.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ward \u2014 whose District 3 includes Hillcrest, Mission Hills, North Park, Normal Heights, University Heights, South Park, Golden Hill, Little Italy, Bankers Hill, the Gaslamp Quarter, East Village and other communities of Downtown \u2014 is allocating a \u201cmajor portion\u201d of the CPPS discretionary budget to assist Hillcrest in this endeavor.<\/p>\n
The council member has also asked the county to install six free-standing hand-washing stations in Hillcrest for the homeless to use. A representative from Ward\u2019s office said they are now awaiting approval and a timeline for installation.<\/p>\n