This stunning venue—affectionately known as “The Joan”— stands as a testament to what’s possible when civic vision, public investment, and private generosity come together. Six years ago, while in the state Assembly, I was able to secure $9 million in state funding to help transform Building 178 into a flagship space for the Arts District. That initial grant, combined with extraordinary generosity from Joan and Irwin Jacobs and the dedication of artists, civic partners and donors, has brought this dream to life.
The Jacobs family’s impact on San Diego can be seen across healthcare, education and culture— and “The Joan” will continue their legacy by inspiring generations to come. This new center, home to Cygnet Theatre, reminds us of the transformative power of the arts and of our shared ability to build something lasting for our community.
As always, it’s an honor to serve as your Mayor.
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“Mayor for a Day” Landry Gage Sees City Hall Up Close
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Landry Lyn Schaub Gage, an eighth grader at Pershing Middle School in San Carlos, stepped into the role of “Mayor for a Day” after winning this year’s contest with a video essay calling for more affordable housing, stronger environmental protections, and better support for young people to stay in school and pursue their dreams. Landry was selected as the fourth student to take part in this annual tradition that encourages youth leadership and civic engagement.
Her day began at City Hall, where she joined my staff for a morning meeting before visiting the Central Library and Fire Station 1. She shared lunch with me and City Attorney Heather Ferbert, and toured San Diego Police Department Headquarters. In the afternoon, Landry addressed the City Council during its meeting, with her family watching proudly from the chamber. She capped off the day with a tour of the new Terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport.
Landry’s energy and ideas are a reminder of the importance of engaging our young people in shaping the future of our city. Programs like “Mayor for a Day” don’t just spark civic pride; they inspire the next generation of leaders to imagine what’s possible for San Diego.
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New Zero-Emission Transit Service Launches in Southeastern San Diego
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A new service called Southeastern Connect is now helping residents travel more easily between Mount Hope, Chollas View, and Emerald Hills. This service provides affordable, zero-emission rides in electric vehicles. Riders can book through a smartphone app or by calling 619-413-9986.
Funded through a partnership between SANDAG, Urban Collaborative Project, the City of San Diego, and the Clean Mobility Options program, Southeastern Connect is designed to make everyday life easier for residents—whether traveling to work, school, local businesses, or community spaces.
The service, operated by Via Transportation, is also about building healthier neighborhoods. I recently took a ride and visited community hubs like The Mental Bar, Project New Village, and the Mt. Hope Garden—places that show the strength of Southeastern San Diego. Thanks to the leadership of the Urban Collaborative Project and partners across the region, Southeastern Connect helps tie together these cultural and economic anchors while improving access for residents.
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Deadlines Approaching for Trash Service Enrollment
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With voter-approved Measure B taking effect, the City is now recovering costs for trash collection and improving our service. Here’s a reminder of some upcoming deadlines for residents:
▪️ Eligible homes with City service: If you are eligible to receive City-provided trash pickup, you should have already received a mailer with instructions and a unique code to log in at wasteportal.sandiego.gov. This is where you will enroll to select the size and number of your trash containers and your number of recycling containers. Even if you plan to go with the standard 95-gal size, you should still log in to the portal to benefit from the ability to track your service and fee history, get text or email updates, and manage future container needs anytime. Can't find your unique code? Contact us at trash@sandiego.gov. The deadline to make your selections is September 30, 2025. Don’t wait until the deadline—log in to the portal today to ensure your trash service is set up correctly.
▪️ Ineligible properties: Homes that no longer qualify for City service must contract with a private hauler. Mailers sent to these property owners include instructions along with a list of approved private haulers who can provide service. For help, visit sandiego.gov/trash-service-updates or contact 619-533-4440 or wasteservice@sandiego.gov.
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👍❤️ Mayor’s Mix: From Mission Valley to the Gaslamp’s Past ❤️👍
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Last week’s question: What was the original name of Mission Valley’s first regional shopping mall when it opened in 1961?
Correct answer: Mission Valley Center ✅
Here’s how you voted:
Great job, readers! Mission Valley Center paved the way for the neighborhood’s commercial growth years before Fashion Valley opened—easy to mix up, but different places and eras.
This week’s question:
Before it was known as the Gaslamp Quarter, what was this downtown neighborhood commonly called in the late 1800s/early 1900s?
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GETTING IT DONE - FIXING OUR STREETS
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Fresh Slurry Seal Brings Smooth Streets to San Carlos and Del Cerro
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Tuxedo Road in San Carlos and Arboles Street in Del Cerro have been resurfaced with slurry seal, leaving the streets looking as smooth as glass. This cost-effective treatment uses a mix of asphalt emulsion, sand, and rock to extend the life of streets that are already in good condition—helping us preserve neighborhood roads and keep them safe for years to come.
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Arboles Street in Del Cerro
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Honoring Qualcomm’s 40th Anniversary
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Qualcomm has been powering San Diego’s rise as a global innovation hub for 40 years—creating good jobs, advancing technology, and investing in our community. I proclaimed “Qualcomm 40th Anniversary Day” to celebrate this extraordinary milestone for a global company that started here at home and continues to drive our city’s innovation economy.
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Kicking Off the Love SD Campaign at Mission Beach
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More than 150 volunteers joined I Love A Clean San Diego and me at Mission Beach to clean up trash after the busy Labor Day weekend. The effort also launched the new Love SD campaign, an eight-month initiative mobilizing San Diegans to recycle, compost, and reduce litter every day. Clean beaches and bays depend on all of us, and together we’re keeping San Diego beautiful.
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Celebrating Alex Morgan’s Legacy with Wave Gear Day
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City staff proudly wore San Diego Wave FC gear in honor of Alex Morgan, whose iconic No. 13 jersey will be retired—the first in club history. A two-time World Cup champion, Olympic gold medalist, and equal pay advocate, Alex has left an extraordinary mark on the game and on our city. San Diego is proud to celebrate her career and the inspiration she continues to provide to the next generation of athletes.
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National Food Bank Day was an opportunity to stand with the San Diego Food Bank and highlight Hunger Awareness Month. My office brought food donations and joined efforts to ensure families across our city have access to nutritious meals delivered with dignity. Thank you to the Food Bank for the vital role it plays in supporting San Diegans in need.
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SAN DIEGO ON THE GLOBAL STAGE
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Supporting Our Business Community Through Global Challenges
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My team joined World Trade Center San Diego’s Global Competitiveness Council to discuss how shifting trade agreements and supply chain challenges affect our region’s economy and innovation ecosystem. Despite these turbulent times, San Diego’s business community continues to drive growth and opportunity. I remain dedicated to supporting their success with pragmatic leadership, showcasing our city worldwide. Together, we’ll ensure San Diego stays competitive globally while delivering results at home.
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What Goes in Your Green Bin?
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San Diegans have embraced organic waste recycling, helping divert more than 194,000 tons from landfills last year. Still, some items are causing problems in the composting process — especially plastic bags. Even those labeled compostable are not allowed in green bins, since they break down into thousands of tiny pieces of plastic.
Your green bin is for food scraps like fruit and vegetable peels, eggshells, coffee grounds, and meat or bones, as well as yard waste like grass clippings and branches.
For a full list of what can and can’t go in your green bin, visit the Curbside Organic Waste Recycling Guide.
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Volunteers Needed for San Diego Police Department Crisis Intervention Program
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The San Diego Police Department is seeking volunteers to join its Crisis Intervention program, which provides short-term emotional and logistical support to residents experiencing traumatic events such as suicide, homicide, or overdose death. No experience is necessary; training is provided, and bilingual volunteers are encouraged to apply. To learn more, including upcoming information sessions, visit sandiego.gov/police/recruiting/volunteer.
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Stay Informed with Inside San Diego
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Stay up-to-date with the latest news and information about our city through Inside San Diego, our new hub for all things San Diego.
From community updates to important City announcements, Inside San Diego is your go-to source for staying engaged and informed as a resident.
Don’t miss out on critical alerts and updates—sign up today to receive notifications via email or text message.
It’s a simple way to stay connected with everything happening in our great city. Subscribe now!
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