City Heights, San Diego

City Heights is a large community in central San Diego, California, known for its ethnic diversity. The area was previously known as East San Diego. City Heights is located south of Mission Valley and northeast of Balboa Park.[1]

City Heights, San Diego
Community of San Diego
City Heights
City Heights, San Diego
Location within Central San Diego
Coordinates: 32.74°N 117.10°W / 32.74; -117.10
Country United States of America
State California
County San Diego
City San Diego
Population
 (2015)
 • Total74,843

City Heights is notable as a home to refugees and immigrants, with significant communities of Vietnamese, Somali, Cambodian, Laotian, and Latino residents. Many social and cultural resources, retail stores, and restaurants are operated by and/or serve the non-white population.

Major commercial streets include University Avenue, El Cajon Boulevard, Fairmount Avenue, and Euclid Avenue. City Heights is densely populated and has mostly multi-family apartments and homes.

History

Colonization of Kumeyaay lands

Like much of central, southern, and east San Diego County, City Heights sits on Kumeyaay territory. The area was occupied by Spanish Missionaries beginning in the 18th century, who founded the mission system at the Mission San Diego de Alcalá, just north of the area presently called City Heights, beginning the genocide and indigenous resistance.

When Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821, it claimed the land and secularized the mission system, distributing the lands to rancheros.[2][3] When the United States annexed the land, the modern era of American settler colonialism began. Settlement and any later development was facilitated by the forced removal of Kumeyaay people to reservations begun by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1875.[4]

American settlement

In the 1880s, American entrepreneurs Abraham Klauber and Samuel Steiner purchased over 240 acres (0.97 km2) of unincorporated land northeast of Balboa Park, hoping to profit from the area. Together they named it "City Heights," though it was also known as the "Steiner, Klauber, Choate and Castle Addition" after the earlier developers of the property.[5] The area was subdivided, and on November 2, 1912, eligible area voters voted to become an incorporated city known as East San Diego. Population boomed in the next few years from 400 in 1910 to 4,000 during the incorporation.

On December 31, 1923, the City of East San Diego voted, 1,344 to 1,109, for annexation into the City of San Diego, becoming once again a neighborhood known as City Heights.[6] The East San Diego trustees did not immediately recognize the annexation in early 1924. Complete annexation occurred over the next few years with the City of San Diego taking over.

Emergence as an urban center

During most of the 1930s, 1940s, and the 1950s the area had some suburban housing and was a commercial center for middle-class white residents, while people of color were segregated in south and east San Diego through discriminatory housing practices.[7]

In the late 1950s, Caltrans planned the I-15 freeway to cut directly through the area, accelerating white flight and disinvestment.[7] The development of Fashion Valley, Mission Valley and the College Grove Shopping Center siphoned off middle-class customers from the University Avenue and El Cajon Boulevard corridor.

Refugee & immigrant population influx

Following the Vietnam War, many refugees from Southeast Asia arrived to the United States at Camp Pendleton, San Diego. Many Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Thai refugees settled in City Heights during the 1970s and 80s, due to the cheap rents resulting from disinvestment. From the 1980s to the 1990s, resettlement agencies directed many refugees from the Somali Civil War to City Heights.[7]

During the late 20th century, the area had a high concentration of low-income residents, most of whom were renters and 30% of whom lived below the poverty line. Following the passage of Proposition 187 in 1994, which prevented undocumented immigrants from accessing government services, public services, healthcare, and welfare became even less accessible. City Heights churches often provided key services and continue to act as community centers.[8][9]

By the 1990s, the area was described in the local media as one of the "urban edges where the inner city bleeds into the suburbs" and was widely portrayed as a crime hotspot.[8] Drawing on American racism, Somali and African American youth were frequently portrayed, often through "culture of poverty" scripts, as primarily responsible for the crime and poverty in City Heights. Officials believed police intervention was the only measure available to address the deteriorating conditions. Anti-gang programs implemented by police and city leaders targeted and often arrested Somali men for loitering in public or hanging out near businesses.[10]

Price Charities redevelopment & outcomes

In the mid-1990s, businessman and philanthropist Sol Price led and financed a redevelopment plan to create a multi-block "urban village," of which a new San Diego Police substation was to be the cornerstone.[9] An economic development non-profit (Mid-City Development Corp.) and area homeowners had proposed building the new substation in 1993, however, the city was unable or unwilling to put up the $3 million needed to build the station. With Price's funding, the station opened in 1996.

By 2000, Price had spent $70 million on the redevelopment of City Heights through his "urban village" model.[11] This redevelopment format, which evolved from the Mid-City Communities Plan, became officially codified into the "City of Villages" plan adopted by the City of San Diego in the 2002 General Plan, which continues to guide the city's urban policy.[12]

The late 1990s and early 2000s saw redevelopment in City Heights continue, as new public facilities — including schools, a library, and a community center — opened around the newly developed center, through public-private partnerships.[13] The additional public services and new commercial center were well-received by residents.[14] The Price-backed housing developments have received criticism for mainly serving moderate-income people, however, and the general sense of experimentation led some to dub the area "Guinea Pig Heights."[15]

Since the 1990s, the demographics of the neighborhood have been changing. More middle- and upper-class Hispanic and Asian residents have moved to City Heights, while the number of Black residents, particularly those who are low-income, has decreased sharply. Rents and property prices have increased, sometimes by double or triple.[14] The area has still been considered cheaper than other central San Diego areas which have undergone or are undergoing gentrification.[16] It remains home to many refugees and immigrants from Latin America, Africa, Southeast Asia, Western Asia and North Africa.[17]

According to 2017 reports, City Heights has lower rates of violent crime and property crime than nearby North Park and Hillcrest, as well as Downtown Gaslamp, and East Village.[18]

San Diego Magazine named City Heights as one of the best places to live in San Diego in 2015. That year, the San Diego Indiefest music festival took place in City Heights' Urban Village.[19] Recent developments have included an alternative fuel station, a new retail complex with some mixed-use developments, several expanded schools, and new parks.

By 2019, the area had been designated as an "Economic Opportunity Zone," which qualifies investors for tax breaks and other forms of corporate welfare, a policy which may accelerate the displacement of low-income residents.[20] Gentrification in North Park has been trickling up University Avenue towards City Heights, with new events and businesses drawing higher-income residents, many of whom are middle- and upper-class Hispanic professionals, to the area.[18][14]

Geography

City Heights is large and diffuse, with many sub-neighborhoods. The community is divided into two pieces by Fairmount Avenue: City Heights East and City Heights West. The community is bounded by Interstate 805 to the west, El Cajon Boulevard to the north, 54th Street to the east, and Home Avenue/Euclid Avenue/Chollas Parkway to the southeast.

"Downtown" City Heights is generally regarded as around Fairmount and University Avenues.

The community is further divided into sixteen neighborhoods: Teralta East, Teralta West, Corridor, Cherokee Point, Colina Park, Castle, Fairmount Park, Fairmount Village, Fox Canyon, Islenair (a city-designated historic district), Chollas Creek, Swan Canyon, Azalea Park, Hollywood Park, Ridgeview, and Bayridge.

Like other urban neighborhoods north of Balboa Park, City Heights also has a high rate of pedestrian activity relative to the rest of San Diego.

Demographics

City Heights had a population of 74,843 as of 2015, according to SANDAG. City Heights is majority Hispanic and low-income.[21]

City Heights is home to significant Vietnamese, Somali, Cambodian, and Laotian communities.[13]

Population of City Heights by Race/Ethnicity[21]
Non-Hispanic/
Hispanic White Black American Indian Asian & Pacific Islander All Other
43,622 10,084 7,701 204 11,413 1,819

70% of households make less than $44,999, with median household income at $29,710 as of 2015, adjusted for inflation.

The median age is approximately 30 years old. Most housing in City Heights is multi-family.[21]

Household Income in City Heights (2010 $, adjusted for inflation)[21]
Less than $15,000 $15k-$29,999 $30k-$44,999 $45k-$59,000 $60k-$74,000 $75k-$99,999 $100k-$124,999 $125k-$149,999 $150k+
25% 26% 19% 13% 8% 6% 2% 1% 0%

Significant Places

The annual International Village Celebration is held around late spring or early summer and is aimed at highlighting the community's diversity.

Public Services, Non-Profits & Medical

Churches

Some key community churches include:

  • Wesley United Methodist Church, offering food distribution and English, Vietnamese, and Cambodian Ministries. 5380 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA
  • Fairmount Baptist Church, (619) 284-2392, 4100 Fairmount Ave, San Diego, CA 92105

Cuisine

Vietnamese, Chinese, Mexican, Somali, and Eritrean/Ethiopian restaurants are located along the main commercial streets of University Avenue, El Cajon Boulevard and Fairmount Avenue. There are also pubs and bars, such as the historic Tower Bar, Black Cat Bar, Til-Two Club, Soda Bar and El Coqui Grill.[22]

  • Burly and the Bean is a unique family-owned and operated outdoor coffee shop that offers a large, creative, fun menu that includes specialty drinks such as Mexican Mocha, Iced Vietnamese, Sneaky Diablo and Eye of the Storm. Its newest venture with the business is weekly local canyon hikes and tours to help bring neighbors and community together.[23] Sadly, Burly and the Bean closed during COVID-19 and owners Justin and Vanessa Boone announced in June, 2020, that they are relocating to Seaside, OR. [24]
  • El Borrego is the City Heights destination for mixiote de borrego, which is marinated for 24 hours inside maguey leaves and simmered for six more hours. El Borrego Restaurant owner Rodnia Novarro and her mother Rosario Sotelo — whose cuisine draws upon dishes from her hometown of Hidalgo.[25]

Art
  • Creating Community Through Art: The AjA Project's gallery space on Fairmont Avenue features photographs taken by immigrants. Stories of new generations of Americans are captured in the images displayed at the AjA Project's 4,000 square foot gallery and education center, located in a charming ranch style building that used to be the local branch library.

Environment
  • Chollas Creek Restoration Project 2020-2022: Chollas Creek will be renovated with a $3.5 million grant from the California Natural Resources Agency. The area will be made walkable, with the removal concrete from the creek and addition of walkways, bike paths and native plant life alongside a half-mile segment of Chollas Creek that runs beside Martin Luther King Freeway (state Route 94).[26]
  • Gardens: There is the New Roots Community Farm and the San Diego Peace Garden, which also holds an annual Kale Festival. City Heights canyons include the Fox, Swan and Olivia Canyons.[27]
  • The Azalea Park Arts District (APAD): The Manzanita Gathering Place was built to be a creative refuge awash in art at the opening at Manzanita Canyon, with canopies and columns incorporating mosaic tiles made by Azalea Park residents. At the Azalea Community Park, local artists have created the Water Conservation Garden, with a collection of succulent plants and sculpture.[28]

Businesses
  • Community and Cowork Spaces: You Belong Here is a collaborative work and event space in City Heights, which strives to help entrepreneurs.[29]
  • Coffee Shops: The Dojo Cafe is a coffee shop built to embrace and support diverse cultures and communities.

Little Saigon

The Little Saigon San Diego Foundation was established in early 2009 with a stated mission to "revitalize the densely populated Vietnamese business district of El Cajon Boulevard."[30]

On June 4, 2013, City Council approved Little Saigon Cultural and Commercial District in City Heights, which is a six-block section of El Cajon Boulevard from Euclid to Highland avenues.[31] The district would be known as a center for Vietnamese food and culture. Since 2013, the Little Saigon San Diego Foundation has organized one of the Vietnamese new year (Tết) events in the city with the annual Lunar New Year festival at the SDCCU Stadium (formerly known as Qualcomm Stadium), where proceeds would go towards developing and promoting the district. The foundation's festival is a separate event and does not have any affiliation with the San Diego Tết Festival organized by VAYA (Vietnamese-American Youth Alliance), which was established in 2006 and annually held at Mira Mesa Community Park.

On February 1, 2019, the Little Saigon signs were revealed to be installed near El Cajon Boulevard exits on Interstate 15.[32][33][34]

Transportation

City Heights has walkable neighborhoods with many of the restaurants, businesses and shops near the main residential pockets. It is common to see pedestrians, cyclists and scooters throughout the neighborhood and surrounding communities. Centrally located within San Diego, City Heights has easy access to freeways, Mission Valley commercial centers and the downtown area. University Avenue, El Cajon Boulevard and Fairmount Avenue are the major thoroughfares.

Because of the presence of the University Avenue transit corridor (the busiest in the metro region), City Heights has substantial bus service connecting to Downtown and the Mission Valley trolley stops. Bus lines serviced by the City Heights Transit Plaza are the 235-RAPID, 7, 10, 60, and 965.[35]

Education

City Heights is home to twelve public elementary schools, three public middle schools, two public high schools, and two private grade schools, and three charter schools.

All public schools are in the San Diego Unified School District.

Public elementary schools
  • Cherokee Point
  • Hamilton
  • Euclid
  • Marshall
  • Edison
  • Central
  • Florence Griffith Joyner
  • Herbert Ibarra
  • Mary Lanyon Fay
  • Wilson
  • Rowan
  • Rosa Parks

Public middle schools

Public high schools
  • Hoover High School
  • Crawford Educational Complex (former Will C. Crawford High School)
    • Community Health and Medical Practices School (CHAMPS)
    • Invention and Design Educational Academy (IDEA)
    • School of Law and Business (LAB)
    • Multimedia and Visual Arts School (MVAS)

Charter schools

Private grade schools
  • Waldorf School of San Diego[37]

Government

The area is part of City Council District 9, currently represented by Georgette Gomez.[38] City Heights is also part of California's 80th State Assembly district, currently represented by Lorena Gonzalez.[39] The City Heights Area Planning Committee advises the city on land use and other issues. Volunteer organizations include the City Heights Town Council and the City Heights Business Association.

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References
  1. "Community Profiles: City Heights | Planning Department | City of San Diego Official Website". www.sandiego.gov. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
  2. Luomala, Katharine (1978). "Tipai-Ipai". In Heizer, Robert F. (ed.). Handbook of North American Indians. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution. pp. 592–609. ISBN 0-16004-574-6.
  3. White, Richard (2016-08-17). "Naming America's Own Genocide". ISSN 0027-8378. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
  4. Shipek, Florence C. (1978). "History of Southern California Mission Indians". In Heizer, Robert F. (ed.). Handbook of North American Indians. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution. pp. 610–618. ISBN 0-87474-187-4.
  5. PIONEER SPIRIT: The Klauber Wangenheim Company, The Journal of San Diego History, Winter 1983
  6. "San Diego Then & Now - The Bank of East San Diego". Russel Ray Photos. Retrieved 2014-09-21.
  7. Mills, Jesse (2008). Racing to refuge: Ethnicity, gendered violence, and Somali youth in San Diego. San Diego: University of California, San Diego. pp. 15–18.
  8. Rodgers, Terry (1 November 1994). "Crime, quality of life major issues". San Diego Union-Tribune, The. p. B-1. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  9. Housen, Caty Van (27 Nov 1994). "Neighborhood is hitching dreams to ambitious plan (Real Estate)". San Diego Union-Tribune, The. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  10. Mills, Jesse. Racing to refuge.
  11. Bell, Diane (20 June 2000). "Their gift is anything but modest (Column)". San Diego Union-Tribune, The. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  12. Weisberg, Lori (3 December 2000). "San Diego city and county press forward with regional planning - Grand visions - 'City of Villages' urban blueprint may be tough sell". San Diego Union-Tribune, The. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  13. Martinez-Cosio, Maria (2003). Redefining civic participation: Non-profits, redevelopment and democracy. San Diego: University of California, San Diego. pp. xx–xxi, 134.
  14. Louv, Richard (28 April 2002). "Change comes to revived City Heights - Is gentrification of the area next?". San Diego Union-Tribune, The. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  15. Louv, Richard (12 May 2002). "Price debate highlights region's woes". San Diego Union-Tribune, The. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  16. "Where San Diego's Getting Whiter". Voice of San Diego. 2012-06-13. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
  17. "City Heights: Diverse community has become the melting pot of San Diego". San Diego Union-Tribune. 2019-06-30. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
  18. "San Diego's City Heights on the way up | San Diego Reader". www.sandiegoreader.com. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
  19. http://www.sandiegoindiefest.com/
  20. Sridhar, Priya. "City Heights Slated For 'Opportunity Zone' Development, But Some Residents Fear Gentrification". KPBS Public Media. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
  21. "DEMOGRAPHIC & SOCIO ECONOMIC ESTIMATES - City Heights" (PDF). SANDAG. 9 March 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  22. "Discover San Diego's Urban Heart: City Heights". San Diego Travel Blog. 2015-01-28. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
  23. Stories, Local. "Meet Justin and Vanessa Boone of Burly and The Bean Coffee Cabin". SDVoyager - San Diego. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
  24. https://www.facebook.com/burlyandthebean
  25. "El Borrego Restaurant | San Diego Reader". www.sandiegoreader.com. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
  26. Hong, Joe. "Chollas Creek Restoration Project Gets Boost From State". KPBS Public Media. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
  27. "City Heights". www.sandiego.org. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
  28. "Azalea Park Arts District wills itself into reality". San Diego City Beat. 2015-04-02. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
  29. Sridhar, Priya. "City Heights Coworking Space Strives To Help Entrepreneurs". KPBS Public Media. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
  30. https://www.alignable.com/san-diego-ca/the-little-saigon-foundation-of-san-diego
  31. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/politics/sdut-little-saigon-district-created-city-heights-2013jun04-story.html
  32. https://www.kpbs.org/news/2018/aug/27/little-saigon-get-cultural-landmark-sign-i-15-free/
  33. https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Little-Saigon-Street-Signs-City-Heights-I-15-El-Cajon-Boulevard-505093261.html
  34. https://www.kpbs.org/news/2019/feb/01/vietnamese-community-gets-little-saigon-sign-inter/
  35. "City Heights Transit Plaza - Transit.Wiki". www.transit.wiki. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
  36. Gompers High School (San Diego)
  37. "The Waldorf School of San Diego | Waldorf School of San Diego | San Diego, CA". Waldorf School of San Diego. Retrieved 2010-07-26.
  38. "District 9". City Council District 9. City of San Diego.
  39. http://asmdc.org/members/a80/

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