The Ballard Center in Old Town San Diego Eyed for Housing

This past month, the residents and business proprietors in Old Town San Diego were invited to a community meeting to discuss the possibility of converting the J. Ballard Center, located at 2375 Congress Street, to housing for educators and staff of the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD).

According to those who attended, the meeting went well and were well represented.

“We broke out into roundtable discussion groups of five.  There was much diversity from districts 2 and 3 (Bankers Hill, Mission Hills, Old Town),” according to Trish Fillet who lives close to the Ballard Center.

Filled added, “As background, several of us cited and emphasized the Community Plan Update that was approved in 2018.”  

She added that this is the footprint that locals are supporting as the local vision for this site, including: joint use, preserving greenspace/community garden, architectural placement, preference on below grade parking, elements of education services/development, linking the past and rich history of the early families and generations of students, forever connected by the 4th grade program and celebration of the time capsule.

Old Town attendees reminded the SDUSD staff of height/zone restrictions, and density concerns, orientation of the narrower feeder streets (like Jefferson as one-way access), and an effort to remove buses from Congress Street.

Overall, there was assurance that the site will always remain with the SDUSD and there are no plans to consider selling this site to the City of San Diego. It would be leased if housing on the site is to occur.

The SDUSD staff said that this first meeting was to serve as a “listening” session to incorporate all the suggestions from the community, with additional planned meetings in the future. 

Many of the Old Town attendees emphasized the location as the birthplace of California and its historical significance, as well as its proximity to NAVWAR. Traffic, congestion and the impact to all surrounding communities, including Mission Hills and the Peninsula neighborhoods was also included.

Fred Grand, chair of the Old Town Chamber of Commerce, commented on the collaboration that occurred with CalTrans when it was pursuing a new facility in Old Town. CalTrans’ staff worked closely with the Old Town Chamber of Commerce on the architecture, landscaping, traffic, and parking.  He said that the engagement with the community resulted in a positive effort and results.  He thanked the San Diego Unified School District for encouraging participation from the community.

Grand said that he reminded attendees about the Old Town Community Plan, which if this property was chosen for housing, SDUSD would need to follow it without variances.

The official meeting notes/summary will be posted to the San Diego Unified School District website, and their team is open and accessible for comments or further immediate enhanced communication with the Old Town San Diego community. 

Category: Education, Historical, Housing, Local News, School