South Park Business Group (SPBG)

Next meeting to be on May26 at Alchemy Restaurant at 8:30 am.

Police:

No police were present to give a report.

Greater Golden Hill:

Nancy Sherman reported that they are continuing to work on the updated planning list, they are still in the research collection phase. The focus is on density, zoning and parking.

By July they hope to have the formal issues.

Hillcrest, North Park and Golden Hill are working on this as well.

Walkabout:

Possible theme for the Summer Walkabout is a Happy Birthday. Karen from Hamilton’s found a website listing South Park at 140 years old. Samantha Keenan has other information; they will work together on sorting this out.

Alchemy and Velo Cult are working on a possible “Cyclo Via” for the Walkabout, encouraging people to ride the route between the South (Beech) and North (Juniper); they would have a bike valet at both ends to help facilitate people walking around as well.

Theme will be discussed more in-depth at the May meeting.

Next Walkabout is on July 17th and some things for participating businesses to keep in mind…

- Be mindful NOT TO serve alcohol to minors.

- Open flames are a hazard and blocking sidewalks and/or blocking off parking space may need permits, businesses doing such need to be aware of the legal limits.

Due to the accident on the trolley and the increased number of vendors setting up shop in front of closed buildings, it was brought up that perhaps the Walkabouts need to be policed.

It was determined that since the Walkabouts are growing in popularity, that someone needs to talk with the City Events Manager to find out what the bump would be in elevating the Walkabouts to a City Special Event. The idea is to keep it under this bump as the increase would include having to hire police and gaining permits. I.e. can the group really police the Walkabouts and stay under the radar of the City’s Special Events.

Additionally, the PR committee will work on drafting a letter to all businesses participating in the Walkabout, reminding them of certain legal issues that are being “bent”. The PR committee meets the Wednesday before the South Park Business Group’s meeting at 8:30 at Grant’s.

Old House Fair:

Maureen informed us that the planning is moving right along. They would like more vendors. Applications for booths are available.  Vendors are businesses that renew, refurbish and restore older homes, and/or storefront businesses in a close radius of South Park. She does have the 5 homes for the tour and fliers are available for shops and to hand out to customers. You’ll find ads for the Old House Fair in the North Park News as well as editorial and also a piece in the UT. The Old  House Fair will have a bike corral as well, for neighbors wishing to enjoy the festivities by biking there.

There are 4 tours, the sidewalk and walking tours are free, the house tour is $20 and the trolley tour is $5.

GGHCDC:

Pedro Anaya announced that they are looking to have the next community mixer at the end of May at Luigi’s, more details to follow. They are looking to invite the local government candidates for the District in a meet and greet before the June primary.

Monday, May 3rd, 10 am, at the CDC office will be the planning committee meeting for the annual Gala, proposed date is Aug. 7th, location still being scouted.

In addition, they will be having a wine tasting tentatively in July.

MAD:

Approved the tentative budget and sent to the Board. The Board approved the tentative budget and re-submitted to the City.

The electrical boxes will be revisited in May.

Todd Gloria’s office:

Anthony was in attendance and handed out his newsletter.

Todd has received an A- on his environmental report card and safety remains an issue with the cuts in the police and fire departments.

A possible homeless shelter at 6th and B will be revisited in June (Old World Trade Building downtown).

Also, the city will be redoing the streets and sidewalks, 100 ft at 30th and Juniper. List of sites is available on their website. Anthony reported that they are still working on undergrounding the wires…they are starting in Talmadge and working South.

Bike Local Campaign:

$250 approved to produce stickers or flier campaign.

Jeniffer from Monkey C Media handed out a report that included ideas on how to promote “Bike South Park” and also described the next phase which is to submit the ideas to the City. First step is that if businesses are interested in applying for a bike rack, please get this information to Jennifer so it can be submitted to the City for approval. The bike racks from the city are the “staple” and blue (but can be repainted to match the current area colors), also Karen from Hamilton’s has a contact to have a custom made bike rack. The second phase is submitting a bike route for the area. Currently it is along Fern, which some feel may be too narrow, more discussion on this at the next meeting (map is attached). An idea was thrown out to have 2…either a scenic and business or beginner and advanced. Along with the routes is applying for “Shared Road” status, this is having the city paint a cyclist on the actual road to educate drivers that bikes are also present..

The Update Planning Meeting on May 20th will address biking in San Diego.

New Business:

The North Park News will be providing a South Park Guide in our June edition. This will give readers an idea of everything South Park. It will be distributed in all of the regular North Park News and in addition will be handed out at the Old House Fair and will be available for local businesses to distribute from their shops. Advertising is GREATLY discounted, but is restricted to those businesses that participated in the ASK campaign, please call Cyndi 619-750-7755, or Cyndi@sandiegometro.com for more details, deadline is the 6th of May.

Announcements:

- Albert Einstein will have their annual auction on June 4th at the Hall of Champions, remember this is the big annual fundraiser. Auction application is available online at https://friendsofaea.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/ProjectHomeforFriendsofAEAAuction2010When/ItemDonation/tabid/212495/Default.aspx. Please contact Dr. Joy Boatman, 619-787-7363 for a printed form or if you have any questions. In addition, she and Roselle from the Home Ec store in the Fire Station will be coming around to businesses individually.

- Thomas Bike Shop donated 3 bikes to blind children at Bay Park Elementary, way to go.

- San Diego Clipping Service is now offering copies, scans and faxing all right in your own neighborhood, stop by 9-5.

- Alchemy will be participating in Dining out for Life this weekend, 25% of the night goes to help fight AIDS.

- Pedro Anaya addressed the wire sculptures that are popping up around South Park on signs. He does not know who is doing them and Urban Corps has not been taking them down. He asked if the business group would like them to take them down and he got a resounding NO.

- Dr. Joy Boatman wanted to let everyone know that they had 2 individuals (man and woman) come into their back yard to take their recyclables. When a colleague addressed them, the woman came in behind her in an attempt to intimidate. Please be careful.

New Business:

That’s it kids, you missed a great meeting, be sure to attend next month as the plan for the Walkabouts and the Bike South Park will be important topics.  Hope you are all having a great week.

Cyndi Meeves, North Park News

619-906-4105, Cyndi@sandiegometro.com