For decades, the City paused construction in beach communities between Memorial Day and Labor Day to avoid disruptions during the busy summer season. But that well-intentioned policy had some unintended consequences: longer project timelines and increased costs for infrastructure improvements.
In my 2025 State of the City address, I questioned whether our longstanding prohibition on street resurfacing during the summer still makes sense. That’s why I directed City staff to take a fresh look at the so-called “Summer Moratorium.” The result? We’ve officially lifted this outdated and inefficient restriction, clearing the way for construction projects—like street paving, sidewalk repair, and underground utility upgrades—to move forward without unnecessary stops and starts while still requiring crews to minimize disruptions for neighbors, businesses, and visitors.
This policy change means we can deliver road repair and other infrastructure improvements faster, save taxpayer dollars, and provide a more predictable schedule for residents and contractors alike. It also reflects our commitment to cutting red tape and making City government work better for San Diegans.
Crews will still be required to follow environmental safeguards in sensitive coastal areas, and all Coastal Commission regulations will remain in effect. But overall, this shift allows us to make smart investments more efficiently—and that’s exactly what our city needs.
This is just one example of our ongoing effort to make City government more efficient and cost-effective. From cutting red tape, making it easier for residents to access services online, and re-evaluating our office space needs and renegotiating costly private leases, we’re always working to make more efficient use of taxpayer resources and deliver better results for San Diegans.
San Diegans deserve a city that works—and we’re doing the work to make it happen.
As always, it’s an honor to serve as your Mayor.
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Preliminarily Proposal to Implement Paid Parking in Balboa Park
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Balboa Park is San Diego’s crown jewel—spanning more than 1,000 acres and home to world-renowned cultural institutions, beautiful gardens, theaters, art exhibits, and the San Diego Zoo. With more than 14 million visitors annually, it’s one of the most cherished public spaces in our city.
To help preserve and enhance this incredible public asset, the City—working in consultation with groups like Forever Balboa Park and the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership—is advancing a comprehensive parking management proposal. This plan would establish paid parking in and around the park, generating revenue to support park improvements, ensure long-term financial sustainability, and improve the overall experience for visitors.
The proposal includes installing parking meters at a rate of $2.50 per hour on the following streets:
• Balboa Drive
• Presidents Way
• Quince Drive
• Village Place
• Juniper Street
• Park Boulevard
• El Prado
• 6th Avenue
In addition, parking fees would be introduced at 12 off-street lots, with pricing based on each lot’s distance to the park’s center. Three fee tiers would be established, and San Diego residents would be eligible for 50% off the highest-tier rate through an account-based permit system. This discount would apply in all paid lots, though not on hourly metered street parking. A separate solution is being developed to accommodate employees and volunteers who work in the park.
Creating a formal parking meter zone is a necessary step for metered street parking to move forward. If approved, installation of meters could begin in fall 2025.
City staff will present this preliminary proposal to the City Council at the end of this month. Community feedback is welcome at upcoming City Council meetings as this proposal continues to be shaped.
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Welcoming SDPD’s Next Generation—and Encouraging More to Join
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At Police Plaza last week, I had the opportunity to welcome 50 new recruits to the San Diego Police Department’s 143rd Academy class. These individuals are beginning their journey toward a career of public service—one that keeps our neighborhoods safe and strengthens the fabric of our city.
This new class is one of the largest in years. It is also one of the most diverse in recent history, with 67% of recruits identifying as people of color and nearly one-third as women. Their decision to step up and serve our City is commendable.
We’re still recruiting, so if you’ve ever thought about making a difference in your community, I encourage you to consider joining SDPD. It’s one of the most respected police departments in the country, and we’re committed to giving our officers the tools, training, and support they need to succeed. That includes competitive pay, the latest technology, and a clear path to serve and lead in the community you love.
San Diego is one of the safest big cities in America, and that’s because of the people who answer the call to service. If you’re ready to make an impact, visit JoinSDPDNow.com to learn more.
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City Secures $700,000 Caltrans Grant to Launch Balboa Park Master Plan Update
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The City has been awarded a $700,000 Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to begin updating the Balboa Park Master Plan—marking a major step forward in protecting the future of one of our most iconic public spaces.
I first announced this effort as a priority during the 2024 State of Balboa Park event. Our City Planning department will lead the update of the more than 35-year-old Master Plan. While the existing plan’s core principles still provide valuable guidance, new challenges and opportunities—from climate resilience to accessibility and mobility—make it clear that a comprehensive refresh is needed.
This planning grant will fund a mobility study and is the first major funding win in our push to modernize the Balboa Park Master Plan.
I want to thank City staff and community partners who contributed to this successful grant application. With this funding in hand, we’ll begin a thoughtful, community-informed process to ensure Balboa Park continues to serve San Diegans and visitors for generations to come.
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👍❤️ Mayor’s Mix: Todd's Trivia ❤️👍
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Speaking of the great work SDPD does—did you know San Diego once starred in its own TV crime drama? Filmed in the 1950s, this show featured real SDPD officers, local landmarks, and a crime reporter character inspired by San Diego Union journalist Pliny Castenian.
Which show was it?
A) Dragnet
B) Manhunt
C) CHiPs
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GETTING IT DONE - FIXING OUR STREETS
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Safer, Smoother Streets in Linda Vista
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Crews recently completed slurry seal treatment on dozens of streets in Linda Vista, making them safer and smoother for everyone who lives, works, and drives through the neighborhood. Slurry seal is a cost-effective pavement preservation method that helps extend the life of streets that are already in good condition—part of our ongoing effort to maintain and improve roads across San Diego.
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Ulric Street in Linda Vista
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Progress Flag Drop Kicks Off Pride Week in San Diego
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I helped drop the Progress Pride flag from the top of the California Tower at the Museum of Us in Balboa Park, marking the official start of Pride Week in our city. LGBTQ+ community leaders and Councilmembers Stephen Whitburn and Marni von Wilpert were there to show support and witness the drop—a powerful symbol of visibility, celebration, and inclusion. San Diego continues to stand proudly with our LGBTQ+ community during Pride and every day of the year.
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All Are Welcome: Celebrating LGBTQ Catholics During Pride
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I attended the annual All Are Welcome LGBTQ Pride Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church in University Heights. The service, led by Auxiliary Bishop Bejarano and clergy from across the region, offered a message of inclusion, acceptance, and love. Events like this highlight the importance of faith communities opening their doors to all San Diegans during Pride and throughout the year.
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Cooling Down City Crews on Slurpee Day
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To show appreciation for the City workers who keep our sidewalks safe and accessible, I stopped by a 7-Eleven to pick up Slurpees for a City crew doing a sidewalk construction project in Carmel Valley. Tapping into the lighthearted national 7/11 Slurpee Day tradition gave me a chance to thank our team working in the summer heat. These crews are part of the City’s effort to tackle a growing backlog of more than 8,000 sidewalk repair cases.
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Empowering Tierrasanta to Prepare for Emergencies
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Families, neighbors, and local organizations came together at the Tierrasanta Prepare Fair to build skills, share resources, and strengthen community readiness. I appreciated the chance to speak alongside Fire Chief Robert Logan and support hands-on safety demonstrations from Project Heartbeat, CERT San Diego, and other vendors. Events like this help ensure San Diegans are ready to respond when emergencies happen—thanks to the Tierrasanta Foundation and all who made the fair possible.
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SAN DIEGO ON THE GLOBAL STAGE
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Partners in Prosperity: Advancing San Diego’s Cross-Border Economy
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This week, my team attended an important discussion hosted by the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce focused on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and its impact on our regional economy. With remarks from the Consuls General of Mexico and Canada, and regional business leaders, the conversation underscored how essential strong ties with both Mexico and Canada are to San Diego’s prosperity—supporting jobs, trade, and cross-border collaboration. I’m proud to support the efforts of our business community as they advocate for policies that strengthen our binational and trinational partnerships and keep our economy moving forward for all of us.
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Park Talk SD Rescheduled to July 16—Join the Conversation on Our Community Parks
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The July meeting of Park Talk SD has been rescheduled to Wednesday, July 16 at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This citywide public forum brings residents together with Parks and Recreation staff to discuss updates, share feedback, and help shape the future of San Diego’s parks. Learn more, review past presentations, and sign up for email updates at here.
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Crystal Pier Reopens to the Public After Storm Damage
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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.
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State Launches CalAssist Mortgage Fund for Disaster-Affected Homeowners
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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.
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City Planning Department Wants Your Input on Infrastructure Priorities
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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.
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Parks After Dark Brings Free Family Fun to Neighborhood Parks
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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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