Dear Neighbor, 

 

We surpassed our goal on road repair!  

 

We closed out our fiscal year 2025 on June 30 with more than 500 miles of resurfacing and repair across the city—surpassing our original goal of 445 miles.  

 

This was the most productive year for road repair the City of San Diego has seen in more than a decade. Since I took office, we’ve repaired more than 2,000 miles of roads—that’s about 31% of all City streets. 

 

For the new fiscal year, which began July 1, we have a road repair budget of approximately $83 million. That will allow us to fix another 350 miles of streets. 

 

This is the work that I know the vast majority of San Diegans want to see in their neighborhood, and I will continue to deliver despite a challenging budget this year. 

 

As always, it’s an honor to serve as your Mayor. 

 

New Vision and More Affordable Housing on the Way for Downtown Civic Center  

Revitalizing our Civic Center has long been a priority for me—not only because it’s the heart of Downtown, but because it represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring new housing, jobs, and cultural energy to this key part of our city. 

 

Thanks to the work of the Prebys Foundation and the Downtown San Diego Partnership, we have a forward-looking vision for the Civic Center core—a six-block area that includes the Civic Theatre, Golden Hall, and several outdated government buildings. Their thoughtful proposal imagines a Civic Center filled with housing, community-serving spaces, and vibrant public life. 

 

At the same time, the City Council’s Land Use and Housing Committee advanced two related efforts: 
 
▪️ A plan to redevelop the long-vacant 101 Ash Street building into nearly 250 affordable homes 
▪️ A recommendation to offer the vacated City Operations Building for redevelopment under the Surplus Lands Act 

 

These are major steps toward delivering more affordable housing and breathing new life into our Downtown core. I’m continuing this work responsibly—redeveloping outdated City properties, bringing more people into the heart of Downtown, and creating the kind of public spaces San Diegans deserve. 

 

San Diego Named Finalist to Host 2029 Invictus Games—A Win for Our Veterans and Our Economy

San Diego is officially one of six international cities—and the only U.S. city—in the running to host the 2029 Invictus Games—an adaptive sports competition for wounded, injured, and sick servicemembers and veterans from around the world. 

 

Being named a finalist is a testament to our city’s proud military roots, strong civic partnerships, and reputation as a premier destination for international events. If selected, San Diego would host the Games for the first time—and only the second time ever in the United States—bringing with it not only global recognition, but also major economic impact. 

 

This opportunity has the potential to generate millions in tourism spending, support thousands of local jobs, and showcase our world-class venues—from the Convention Center to Petco Park—on an international stage. Just as important, it would reaffirm our city’s leadership in advancing veteran wellness, recovery, and mental fitness. 

 

San Diego is a proud military town—and I’m committed to making sure the world sees that. 

 

👍❤️ Mayor’s Mix: San Diegans Know Their Stuff ❤️👍

Last month, I tested your local trivia smarts—and I’m proud to report that most of you nailed it! When asked which wild story was actually true, nearly 74% of you correctly picked the one about the City hiring a rainmaker—and then it actually rained. That’s the kind of newsletter audience I like: sharp and in the know. 

 

Let’s keep it going with a new question tied to Belmont Park, which just turned 100 years old.  

 

Which of the following is TRUE about Belmont Park? 
 
▪️ A Hollywood movie was filmed on the Giant Dipper in the 1930s 
▪️ The park was originally built to promote real estate sales in Mission Beach 
▪️ The first corn dog in California was sold there 

 

Submit your answer here: 

 

GETTING IT DONE - FIXING OUR STREETS

 

City Crews Complete Road Repairs in Skyline and Scripps Ranch 

The City’s in-house mill-and-pave teams wrapped up two road repair projects in June—one in Skyline and another in Scripps Ranch. Guided by our Pavement Management Plan and street-condition data, these permanent repairs improve road quality and reduce the need for future pothole fixes in these neighborhoods. 

 

Want to know when your street is scheduled for paving? Check out the interactive map at streets.sandiego.gov. And don’t forget—if you see a pothole, report it through the Get It Done app. We can’t fix problems we don’t know about! 

Before and after on Scripps Lake

 
 

MAYOR GLORIA AROUND TOWN

 

Marking Independence Day Across the City

I spent the Fourth of July connecting with San Diegans in neighborhoods across the city—from walking in the Scripps Ranch and Rancho Bernardo parades to visiting first responders at the Mission Beach Lifeguard Command Post. These events reflected the pride, unity, and community spirit that define our city. 

 

Helping Clean Up Mission Bay After the Festivities

The morning after the Fourth, I joined volunteers from I Love a Clean San Diego and Surfrider San Diego at Fiesta Island for a community cleanup. My thanks to everyone who showed up to help keep our beaches clean, safe, and welcoming for all. 

 

Celebrating a Beloved San Diego Tradition at the County Fair

This year’s San Diego County Fair once again showcased the best of our region—from agriculture and exhibits to food and entertainment. With more than a million visitors annually, the Fair supports local jobs and businesses while bringing our communities together each summer. 

 

Belmont Park Celebrates 100 Years of Community and Coastline Fun

One of San Diego’s most iconic destinations marked its centennial with a celebration in Mission Beach. Belmont Park’s 100-year legacy includes historic preservation, community engagement, and major reinvestment—making it a lasting cornerstone of coastal life and local tourism. 

 

SAN DIEGO ON THE GLOBAL STAGE 

 

Welcoming Key Philippine Business Delegation 

I recently welcomed the Philippines Chamber of Commerce and Industry—the largest chamber of commerce in the Philippines —for their first visit to San Diego to explore investment opportunities on behalf of 30,000 companies. Their visit, sparked by my recent trip to the Philippines, is already opening doors for local businesses and job creation. As we support this growing economic partnership and the benefits it can bring for San Diegans, we also discussed strategies to advocate for a direct flight between San Diego and Manila. 

 

COMMUNITY UPDATES

 

Crystal Pier Reopens to the Public After Storm Repairs

After 18 months of closure due to storm damage, the public portion of Pacific Beach’s iconic Crystal Pier is officially reopening. The City completed $2 million in repairs, including replacing braces and pilings to stabilize the structure. This work—done in close coordination with the Crystal Pier Hotel—ensures the safety and longevity of the nearly century-old pier. City staff will continue monitoring its condition and plan for future climate-resilient upgrades.

 

State Launches CalAssist Mortgage Fund for Disaster-Affected Homeowners 

Starting June 12, California homeowners whose homes were destroyed or left uninhabitable by recent disasters—including the San Diego floods—can apply for up to $20,000 in mortgage relief through the new CalAssist Mortgage Fund. 

 

The $105 million program, managed by the California Housing Finance Agency, offers grants covering up to three months of mortgage payments for homeowners affected by disasters that were declared a state or federal emergency between January 2023 and January 2025. These funds do not need to be repaid and will go directly to mortgage servicers on behalf of approved applicants. 

 

Applications will be reviewed on first-come, first-served basis. Given the finite level of resources, households are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible to be considered for the program.  

 

More information and application materials are available at CalAssistMortgageFund.org. 

 

City Planning Department Wants Your Input on Infrastructure Priorities  

San Diegans are invited to share their infrastructure priorities by completing the Infrastructure Priorities Survey. Input received by Aug. 1, 2025, will help shape the City’s Five-Year Capital Infrastructure Planning Outlook for Fiscal Years 2027–2031. The survey remains open year-round, with later responses considered for future planning cycles. Visit the Infrastructure Priorities website to learn more.

 

Parks After Dark Brings Free Family Fun to Neighborhood Parks 

The City is partnering with the San Diego Parks Foundation to host Parks After Dark, a free summer program that transforms neighborhood parks into vibrant hubs of evening activity. Families can enjoy outdoor movies, music, games, and community resources from June 14 through August 9, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the City Heights Rec Center, Linda Vista Rec Center, Memorial Rec Center, Skyline Hills Rec Center and Silver Wing (June 14 – July 26 only). These events support safer, more connected communities by activating public spaces after hours and making recreation accessible for all. Learn more here.  

 

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San Diego, CA 92101
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