Families in the South Bay now have an even better place to play, gather, and stay active with the completion of major upgrades at Robert Egger, Sr.–South Bay Community Park in Egger Highlands. 

The $6.9 million project, funded in part by a federal Community Development Block Grant, replaced two playgrounds with modern play and fitness equipment and new safety surfacing, added a basketball court, resurfaced the parking lot, and upgraded seating, shade structures, lighting, walkways, landscaping, and drinking fountains. 

These improvements are part of my administration’s commitment to invest equitably in every neighborhood. Too often, South Bay communities were overlooked when it came to City resources. That is changing. With support from Councilmember Vivian Moreno and community partners, this project reflects the progress we’re making to deliver safe, high-quality parks across San Diego. 

The City has secured a long-overdue resolution for one of downtown San Diego’s most notorious blighted properties: the long-abandoned California Theater. Thanks to a civil enforcement action by City Attorney Heather Ferbert, the property owner now faces a firm timeline to either sell the site or move forward with demolition so someone new can make good use of this prime location in the heart of our civic core. 

Under the settlement, the property must be formally listed for sale by Aug. 30, 2025, and complete the sale by Dec. 31, 2026. If the sale does not close by the deadline, the owner will have 90 days to obtain permits for demolition, including asbestos abatement and other safety measures. Failure to comply could result in up to $1 million in penalties. 

The agreement also requires the owner to reimburse the City for investigative costs, maintain security at the site, and comply with existing court orders for fire watch, patrols, and fencing. 

The City’s Development Services Department, Transportation Department, plus our San Diego Police Department and San Diego Fire-Rescue Department have worked for years to keep this property safe and secured. Development Services staff also played a key role in achieving this settlement. I thank them for their dedication and persistence in protecting the public and holding this property owner accountable. 

This enforceable plan ensures San Diegans will finally see action after decades of inaction, guaranteeing either new ownership or demolition of the unsafe structure — paving the way for accountability, safety, and renewal in the heart of this central Downtown neighborhood. 

Amid a structural budget deficit, I’ve made it clear that our city would not simply settle for doing less; instead, we got to work rethinking how we operate at every level to find smarter, more cost-efficient ways to serve San Diegans. 
 
Bloomberg Cities recently profiled how we’re using this moment to unlock creativity and improve services, even with fewer resources. 

From crowdsourcing ideas from City staff through our new InnovateSD suggestion box to tapping frontline workers to help train cost-efficient AI to detect potholes, we’re turning budget challenges into opportunities for lasting improvements. 

Read the full story here: 3 Ways San Diego's Mayor is Unlocking Creativity Amid Budget Cuts 

Through Fiscal Year 2026 Community Project Funding requests, several of our top priorities are making their way through the Congressional appropriations process to potentially bring our fair share of federal resources back to San Diego. 

Thanks to our San Diego Congressional delegation, millions of dollars could soon help strengthen our city’s shelter system, protect neighborhoods from flooding, and improve public safety and infrastructure. 

Projects advancing include: 

• $1 million for operations at a City shelter, supporting 88 beds with comprehensive services. 

• $1.2 million for expansion of the Safe Sleeping Program, providing non-congregate shelter options for San Diegans experiencing homelessness. 

• $2 million to develop licensed childcare facilities on City park and recreation space. 

• $4.36 million for stormwater projects in Old Town, Midway, Southcrest, and Skyline/Paradise Hills to reduce flooding risks and protect homes. 

• $850,000 for the Streamview Drive Safety Improvements Project, enhancing mobility and safety in a historically underserved community. 

• $850,000 for the construction of the La Jolla Streetscape project.  

• $275,000 for a drone detection system to improve public safety during wildfires and large community events. 

While not yet final, these investments are advancing in Congress and reflect our shared priorities: addressing homelessness, advancing infrastructure projects and ensuring safety for all San Diegans. 

First, the answer to last week’s trivia question: 

I asked: Which San Diego park was the first to be designated as a public park in the City’s history? 

Answer: A) Balboa Park 

Back in 1868, civic leaders set aside 1,400 acres for what was then called “City Park,” making it one of the oldest dedicated public parks in the country. It wasn’t renamed Balboa Park until 1910, named after Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa. 

Here’s how you voted: 
 
Balboa Park – 31.58% (42) 
Presidio Park – 54.14% (72) 
Horton Plaza Park – 14.29% (19) 

Now, for this week’s question: 

Which famous aviator once lived in San Diego while training Navy pilots during World War I? 

A) Charles Lindbergh 
B) Glenn Curtiss 
C) Eddie Rickenbacker 

Answer below or send your guess to askthemayor@sandiego.gov — and check back next week to see if you got it right!