Police Plaza on Murphy Canyon Road has received upgrades to better serve the San Diego Police Department’s training, recruitment, and community engagement needs. 

Alongside Police Chief Scott Wahl and the San Diego Police Foundation, I joined a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark these long-overdue upgrades to the former Chargers training facility, which were funded through the San Diego Police Foundation and a state grant, not City funds. Since the City assumed control of the building in 2018, much of the space had remained untouched and in need of attention. Today, it houses more than 200 personnel and serves as a central location for officer training, leadership development, recruiting and community events. 

This renovation reflects the professionalism and pride of the men and women who walk through those doors each day to keep San Diego safe.  

The upgraded facility now includes custom murals honoring San Diego and SDPD history, a redesigned lobby built to accommodate officers in uniform, a Hall of Honor recognizing fallen officers, enhanced fitness facilities, and an expanded outdoor training space. Combined with recent wellness investments across all nine police stations, these improvements support the physical and mental well-being of our officers. 

Up to $50,000 is available right now to help middle-income San Diegans buy their first home. 

Through the San Diego Housing Commission First-Time Homebuyer Middle-Income Program, eligible first-time homebuyers can receive $40,000 in down payment assistance and an additional $10,000 grant to cover closing costs. The program is designed to help working families overcome one of the biggest barriers to homeownership: upfront costs. 

This investment supports households earning between 80 percent and 150 percent of the Area Median Income. For example, a family of four earning between $132,400 and $196,200 may qualify. The program is available for homes with a maximum sales price of $1,250,000, and applicants must meet eligibility requirements, including a minimum credit score of 640 and at least two years of consistent work history. 

Interested residents can learn more and begin the application process here.

I know firsthand what homeownership can mean for a working family. My parents were able to buy a home in Serra Mesa on working-class salaries and afford to stay in the city where they grew up. That stability shaped my life and my belief that this city should be a place where hard work creates opportunity. 

Today, too many families feel priced out of that same dream. Expanding access to homeownership is part of how we build more homes and create a San Diego that works for all of us. When working families, including military families, teachers, nurses, and first responders, can afford to stay and succeed here, our city is stronger for it. 

In last week’s trivia feature, we asked: Which U.S. President visited San Diego in 1970 and delivered remarks at what is now known as Naval Base Coronado? 

Here’s how you voted: 

✅ Richard Nixon — 78.90% (86) 
▪️ Lyndon B. Johnson — 15.60% (17) 
▪️ Gerald Ford — 5.50% (6) 

The correct answer is Richard Nixon. In 1970, President Nixon delivered remarks at Naval Air Station North Island, now part of Naval Base Coronado. San Diego is a proud military town, and moments like this are part of the long history connecting our city to national leadership and service members stationed here. 

This week’s Olympic-themed question: Which San Diego–born athlete won three Olympic gold medals in halfpipe snowboarding and became one of the most decorated U.S. Winter Olympians of all time? 

▪️ Elana Meyers Taylor
▪️ Kaillie Humphries
▪️ Shaun White 

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

There is important relief available for San Diego homeowners impacted by the 2024 storms and flooding. 

The Governor’s Office has confirmed that the January 2024 San Diego flood qualifies under the expanded CalAssist Mortgage Fund program. That means eligible disaster-affected homeowners may now receive up to 12 months of mortgage payments, paid directly to their mortgage servicer, with assistance totaling up to $100,000 that does not need to be repaid. 

The expansion increases the relief period from three months to a full year and broadens income eligibility so more families can qualify. This support is designed to help homeowners stabilize while they rebuild, navigate insurance claims, and recover from disaster impacts. 

Homeowners can review the full list of qualified disasters and apply at www.calassistmortgagefund.org. 

Downtown’s Civic Center Plaza is getting a vibrant refresh with Plaza Central — a new series of pop-up events bringing food, music, and art to the heart of the city. The activations are free and open to the public every Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering a lively preview of the area’s long-term revitalization. 

 
Learn more about Plaza Central events.