National City mayor Alejandra Sotelo-Solis led constituents through a two-part State of National City address on April 21 which included a drive around town in the Free Ride Around National City van followed by a summative address back at city hall.
During the roughly 30-minute tour around National City, Sotelo-Solis touted the past year’s accomplishments as they related to key points of interest such as Pepper Park, National City library, Market on 8th and other destinations.
Pepper Park is slated for expansion, she said, possibly to include a wellness center “where people can come celebrate life and a multitude of milestones” as well as a potential splash pad, play areas, and cargo containers that open to reveal small cafes or businesses.
“The Bayshore Bikeway is ready to be completed soon so all bike riders have a safe and efficient way to get from Chula Vista through National City to the bike paths in Southeast San Diego,” Sotelo-Solis said.
Stopping next at the 24th street transit depot, Sotelo-Solis said the bus drop-off area has been updated as well as the trolley stop area.
Riding the FRANC downtown, Sotelos Solis said National City Fire department recently hired Jessica Bohner: their first female firefighter in 25 years.
Across the street from the fire station, the small van paused so the mayor could point out improvements near Kimball Elementary school which were completed this year including traffic calming and development of a family resource center.
Moving on to Paradise Creek park, she said there is a new playground area for “big kids” as well as younger tot play areas, a Free Little Library cabinet with books residents can borrow or keep after reading and a brand new community garden for community members developed in partnership with Olivewood gardens.
“If you’re interested, I know they still have opportunities for community members to take over garden beds… This is the first park we’ve opened up in over 50 years so congratulations, National City,” Sotelo-Solis said.
Thousands of COVID-19 tests were given away at the library, she said, as well as holiday food items like turkeys and hams, and personal protective equipment.
At Kimball Park, she said the city is potentially considering a dog park, lighting and a play area.
“We have asked our community how they want to spend American Rescue Plan Act monies and one of the options was improvements at Kimball park,” Sotelo-Solis said.
Near City Hall and the Chamber of Commerce she said the city wants to “continue building density here where there is access to mass transit” as well as create an environment without the danger of cars that are moving too fast for people with disabilities or on bikes.
In addition to celebrating the Market on 8th food hall that opened in October 2021, the mayor also lauded PARCO apartments.
“This complex had both market rate and affordable housing in one spot. On the top of this space there are studios designed for students, seniors and sailors. What do all three have potentially in common? Fellowship and wanting to have a space to call their own that is cheap and livable,” Sotelo-Solis said.
PARCO, she said, is an example of the 10-minute communities she would like to see more of in the city: places where residents “can hop on mass transportation and can engage with the businesses here, get groceries, get coffee, do your taxes, have your church or dentist down the street” within ten minutes’ walk from home.
At the same time, she said, it is important to undergo “revitalization without gentrification” and keep communities affordable with places to shop for healthy food and public transportation available.
The newly approved PACE center for older adults to receive health care including mental health care will also benefit the community, she said, with holistic care for seniors including mental health care.
During the second part of her address, from inside City Hall, Sotelo-Solis said “we are still in a pandemic but inching closer and closer every day to an endemic” and called upon constituents to stay home if they feel sick.
“As of right now, 76.9% of our community is fully vaccinated. In the past two weeks, we’ve reported 45 positive case rates. That is a very low number and we want to keep it that way,” Sotelo-Solis said.
To address community health, she said, the city launched a wireless laptop program at the library, and recently held a community service clean-up day that yielded 4,500 pounds of electronic waste and over 32 tons of trash.
“We removed over 132 abandoned or unsafe vehicles from the road using the see-click-fix app, were able to respond to 2,500 online customer service requests,” Sotelo-Solis said.
Besides cleaning up streets, the city has also made headway on helping people get off the streets over the past year.
“We’ve partnered with McAlister Institute to add two additional homeless outreach team members as well as a partnership with San Diego Rescue Mission to build and break ground on a shelter with 100 beds,” Sotelo-Solis said.
Through conversations with San Diego Building Trades, the mayor said she is hopeful the city will be the first municipality in the county to establish a citywide project labor agreement.“We have endless opportunities,” Sotelo-Solis said.
