The new California sate budget includes a $68.5 million bundle for San Diego-based projects.
Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins confirmed the funding report on Thursday, emphasizing that the money will be going to some of the most visited public places in San Diego County.
The funding will include $20 million to construct a new library at Oak Park in southeast San Diego, and $8 million to help the expansion of Ward Canyon Park located in the Normal Heights area.
Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins said in news conference that this immense funding, for the most part, will assist some of the most vulnerable communities of San Diego.
“By looking at this budget through an equity lens, we were able to prioritize projects in all parts of the city, with an emphasis on underserved communities,” Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins said Thursday.
This is how the funding will be divided among city projects:
- $29 million will fund park and recreation projects.
- $28 million will fund library projects.
- $7.3 million will fund cultural projects.
- $4 million will fund projects that promote green jobs and enhance public safety.
Also the following will be funded within the 3-5 millionar dollar range.
- $5 million to restore Villa Montezuma museum in Sherman Heights
- $4.5 million to expand the Ocean Beach Library
- $4 million to upgrade Clay Park in Rolando Village
- $3.3 million for an office complex in Valencia Park
- $3 million to upgrade Olive Grove Community Park in Clairemont.
Other community projects that will receive a minimum of $1 million include the following:
- the South Clairemont Community Park recreation center
- the Martin Luther King Jr. Pool in Encanto
- Camino de la Costa viewpoint in La Jolla
- University Community Library, San Carlos Library
- San Diego Natural History Museum
- the Marston House.
San Diego City Councilmember Monica Montgomery Steppe says she's happy that public parks in Council District 4 will be able to see improvement in the incoming future. The Councilmember expresses her appreciation for city leaders for contributing to this County-wide progress.
“As elected representatives, we must recognize the need for a more equitable plan that reaches historically underserved neighborhoods,” City Councilmember Monica Montgomery Steppe stated. “I’m happy Council District 4 could receive funds that improve accessibility to our parks, libraries and economic opportunities. I applaud San Diego’s state leaders for approaching this FY23 budget with an equity lens.”
