Height limits in Hillcrest
Re: Gilman talks about his property and Pernicano’s [Volume 7, Issue 19 or at bit.ly/1OcQ690]
Great article, Ken and San Diego Uptown News!
Recently there have been several heated discussions on Facebook regarding the height limit in Hillcrest. I’ve said it before, and I will say it again. I was 4 years old the last time this plan was updated in the 1980s. The predictable future is that a plan implemented today, will have long lasting effects until I am 50-60 years old. (I’m in my 30s now).
We live in a world-class city. People like me are choosing to live and open our businesses in Uptown because we love the area. But we must also plan for OUR future. And for a lifestyle that we want to have in our future.
I don’t want to live in Mayberry when I’m 60. I want a vibrant community, with arts, culture, great dining, safe streets and all the things that will once again make us one of America’s Best Neighborhoods.
The line between preservationism and obstructionism is a well-defined line. And sadly I feel many in this community fall into obstructionism.
This community has an opportunity to be a part of Main Street USA, and to preserve what is worth preserving, and develop what isn’t. We have an opportunity to impact a project that will forever define not just our skyline, but also the vitality and life of this community.
Its time we start putting preservation and revitalization in the same sentence. Through education, training, case-studies, and peer-to-peer learning, the national Main Street program can equip our community with the tools it needs for long-term, comprehensive, preservation-based community revitalization.
That to me is what Mr. Gilman and Mr. Harmer are asking for, from this community. I, for one, am ready for something bigger.
—Eddie Rey via Facebook
Sounds like a great plan! We definitely need more population density in Hillcrest.
If people wonder why so many businesses are closing, a huge factor is that we have the costs of a major city but the population density of a suburb. No one wants to turn Hillcrest into Downtown, but taller buildings for apartments or condos in carefully chosen locations with minimal impact on the environment would help keep our neighborhood vital and provide jobs for our neighbors.
—Brian via Facebook
So there is no buyer for the Pernicano’s site anymore? LOL!
Looks like the Uptown Planners are getting exactly what they deserve … Another 20 years of boarded-up business right in the heart of Hillcrest! Bravo to them for lacking vision and keeping Hillcrest stuck in the 1980s. Will be interesting to see how many more vacant spaces will be popping up in that stagnant neighborhood.
—Justin G. via Facebook
What has happened to Hillcrest?
On one side you have established residents who have closed the door behind them to any new housing or hotels in the area. They enjoy all the conveniences of an urban neighborhood, but don’t want to share them with others because: traffic, parking, property values.
On the other side you have established Hillcrest businesses who have laid claim to our public street space, and lobby SANDAG to kill its $40 million dollar bike lane project — because street parking is more important than people’s lives.
Sounds like a match made in heaven. I’ll continue to support more vibrant neighborhoods like North Park, Little Italy and East Village that are truly inclusive — not the sad, selfish place Hillcrest has become.
—Paul Jamason via Facebook
I’ll tell you what’s ‘historic’ … The Gilman/City Deli/Kahn Building is historic, and the facades should be saved! This block has some of the most unique buildings that make Hillcrest what it is … We can have it all … The “future” but with this iconic building on the corner that should be respected and included in the new designs … good designers/architects can make it happen! This corner building (Sixth and University) is as important as the Hillcrest sign to the community.
—Gregory May via Facebook
As a side note, Mission Hills brought two of the key buildings/block of their business district from a bad remodel, and is a central focal point to what we think of as “Mission Hills.” Also, Hillcrest itself had a building that was horribly remodeled in the ‘60s, then restored in the ‘80s, and we wouldn’t dream of that corner being any other way (NE Fifth and University avenues).
Respecting the old and updating other elements is the right thing to do in these old neighborhoods.
Kahn Building: goo.gl/0fDFHa
Kahn Building: goo.gl/u1XT8a
NW Fifth and University: goo.gl/V1EUzG
NW Fifth and University: goo.gl/MtgDGb
Mission Hills: goo.gl/ZNrrcI
Mission Hills: goo.gl/maps/8M4CZ
Mission Hills: goo.gl/mbVwut
Mission Hills: goo.gl/maps/bnLQM
—Gregory May via Facebook
With the fire station in need of replacing/relocating, has the idea of the property at Pernicano’s been considered for the new fire station? Makes more sense to me and the community. Wondering if you could investigate this.
—Jeffrey Lockhart via email
[Editor’s note: With an asking price exceeding $12 million, the Pernicano’s property would be out of the city’s price range.]
Prager Brothers the ‘real deal’
Re: Making ‘bread the old way’ [Volume 7, Issue 19 or at bit.ly/1NBqClD]
My life is about finding the best of the best with ultimate honesty and accuracy. It’s bait I keep out in front of me to avoid the trappings of ordinary and average. The Prager Brothers hold to the code of “real deal.”
Lucia Viti is an exceptional human who not only motivates hundreds before daybreak, but who has a passion to find extraordinary talent whether fitness culture or connoisseurs.
I’d say the 2 are 1.
So happy to see she found the Brothers Prager and bangs the drum of goodness as it should be.
—Bradlee via Facebook
Goodbye Chargers
Re: Letters to the editor [Volume 7, Issue 19 or at bit.ly/1Lwp2vo]
Letter writer Daniel Smiechowski compares the Chargers staying in San Diego with the “significance of the divine upon culture and society.” Really?
Mr. Smiechowski regales us with stories of his youth in Milwaukee and telling of his fondness for his old baseball team. He also talks about the religious nature of sporting rituals like tailgating and face painting. And because football is now, according to him, on par with church, it is up to the city to fund a new stadium for the Chargers because, after all, it’s just another public park.
No, Mr. Smiechowski, it isn’t. A public park is just that, a park for the public, available everyday for those who wish to use it. A stadium is a whole other animal. Seating for the public is actually secondary in stadiums these days. What stadiums are now are homes for luxury suites, restricted access eating areas, and advertising mediums. And most of the time they sit empty, taking up valuable space, fenced off from the general public.
But I guess Mr. Smiechowski got a little spoiled living in Milwaukee because it was that city that was the first to publicly fund a major league stadium. Since that time, it’s been a race by sports organizations to get communities to finance, in total or in part, the most luxurious accommodations possible. His beloved Braves moved on to the greener pastures of Atlanta, because that city could build them a better stadium.
I, too, remember when the Rockets left for Houston. Was I sad? Yes. Do I have fond memories of that era? Yes. Do I miss having them in San Diego? Not really. And while I have watched and rooted for the Chargers since their 1961 arrival, I will be sad if they leave, I will have fond memories of them, but I will move on and not particularly miss having them here. And I will be glad that not one public dollar is spent so Mr. Smeichowski can continue to paint his face.
—Rob Cohen of Kensington via email
Have you seen the trash in Hillcrest?
Re: Letters to the editor [Volume 7, Issue 19 or at bit.ly/1Lwp2vo]
Maybe letter writer Jessica of Normal Heights hasn’t been to Hillcrest yet! The streets in any direction of University Avenue are disgusting with litter.
The weekend of San Diego LGBT Pride had to be shameful for anyone visiting here or living here. Five blocks in any direction the streets were deplorable with trash, beer bottles, cigarette butts and barf! It wasn’t until the following Tuesday before anyone, I guess, cared enough to clean the streets and area sidewalks and yards!
Has anyone been to the Hillcrest post office lately? How much longer is that homeless encampment going to be there? Since when does the post office allow this filth to accumulate? Maybe it’s time the Hillcrest Business Association and Councilmember Todd Gloria start collecting a “clean-up” fee from every business tenant in the area, and use it to hire a daily cleanup crew! That, plus get the police to start acknowledging these throngs of homeless “residents.”
This city also needs to start addressing the gang of recyclers who mob the bins the night before trash pickup. Unbelievable. I think every receptacle set out for recycling and trash pickup gets gone through at least 20 times a night, and each time a little more mess is left on the street. The city should also make it mandatory that all dumpsters be fitted with locks to keep the trash in, instead of around the ground! Where has the pride of our communities gone? Members of the community want to keep the pride, but with NO help from the mayor’s office or the City Council, what can residents do, but shake our heads in disgust!
—Bob in Hillcrest via email
Woeful neglect of Balboa Park
Re: Readers poll [Volume 7, Issue 19 or at bit.ly/1itcyO9]
I do not think the city is doing enough for Balboa Park. They have spent 2 million dollars on this effort for the Chargers and a new stadium … wanting gore for the peasants over something all can enter and enjoy.
This reminds me of the ancient Romans throwing bread to keep the rabble stuffing their faces versus rioting. Watch hotdogs, popcorn and candy being eaten at the stadium. See any similarities? Yes, much of Balboa Park needs help but who cares when you can have a state-of-the-art stadium for the few who can afford a ticket? People come from all over the world to Balboa Park, not for football. It’s a treasure but is being trashed by the city.
—Dianne Obeso via email
‘A waste of our taxpayer dollars’
Re: Uptown parking district explores new ways to ‘Access Hillcrest’ [Volume 7, Issue 18 or at bit.ly/1NnSmdp]
So the head of our parking district does not want to increase parking spaces? That is a waste of our taxpayer dollars! Public funds for parking need to be used to increase public parking spaces!
—Bill Christiansen via Facebook
Liberal column?
Re: Congressional Watch, September 2015 [Volume 7, Issue 19 or bit.ly/1F0Up4o]
You should be more honest. This is not a “Congressional Watch”… this is a very liberal “Pro-Democrat Congressional Cheering Watch.”
—Bill Christiansen via Facebook
Happy about 25th Street improvements
Re: 25th Street project is done, but some say city ‘missed an opportunity’ [Volume 7, Issue 19 or bit.ly/1LwsfuL]
Ruchell Alvarez, chair of the Greater Golden Hill Planning Committee, seems to think 25 mph isn’t enough for a community street. There are plenty of freeways nearby for drivers to move quickly, and the bulb-outs are a huge improvement if you walk, cycle, skateboard, etc. They’re better for drivers, too — if you can’t manage not to cut corners while turning, you’re probably not a great driver.
—Robert via Facebook
Reverse angle parking is safer for people on bikes because drivers have difficulty seeing bicyclists when pulling out of a head-in parking space. If they “don’t work for some drivers,” they probably shouldn’t be driving in the first place.
Pedestrian pop-outs are safer for people on foot because they reduce crossing distance and calm traffic.
Perhaps Ms. Alvarez offered suggestions that were not included here, but she only seems concerned with driver convenience and speed. This project’s improvements are meant for all users of our public streets, not just drivers.
San Diego is now a Vision Zero city, with a goal of zero pedestrian fatalities. It’s troubling that someone with such outdated views is the head of a city community planning group — but hardly surprising.
—Paul Jamason via Facebook
‘Looks too drastic’
Re: Big changes underway at iconic ‘Mister A’s building’ [Volume 7, Issue 19 or bit.ly/1LwttpM]
Work they are doing looks too drastic. Not sure they are doing right by this building.
—Gregory May via Facebook
Supports TargetExpress
Re: TargetExpress to open in South Park in the fall [Volume 7, Issue 14 or bit.ly/1SJSO3H]
Good idea. Open a store that is closer.
—Claudia Alvarez via Facebook
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