National City's revitalization efforts are fast gaining momentum, driven by the vision of new Mayor Nick Inzunza who has committed to the implementation of an aggressive plan for economic development and community improvements during his coming four-year term.

Inzunza outlined his 10 goals for National City in a "from the heart" speech that celebrated the city's ethnic diversity and that was enthusiastically received by the more than 400 community leaders and residents who attended his first State of the City address last March. Since then, the mayor has worked closely with city council members and the National City Community Development Commission to ensure the forward momentum necessary to accomplish his objectives by the end of his first term in 2007.

The mayor delivered his speech wearing his tennis shoes to symbolize that he is off and running with his vision for National City. He aptly themed his speech "Reinventing National City," and delivered portions of it in Spanish and Tagalog -- gestures that were well-received by Hispanic and Filipino attendees as well as by San Diego County dignitaries including San Diego County Board of Supervisors' Chairman Greg Cox, Chula Vista Mayor Steve Padilla, Assemblyman Juan Vargas and others.

"National City has a prime waterfront location immediately south of downtown San Diego and is well-positioned to reinvent itself with a strong and vibrant economy, improved public services and well-planned residential and commercial redevelopment," Inzunza said. "Over the past 10 years, the city has made many significant strides forward, with plans for a new Chamber of Commerce building, new marina, Education Village and the development of affordable housing.

"Now is the time to take our city's efforts to the next level, stepping up the momentum by thoughtfully outlining our objectives and then methodically and responsibly implementing them," he said. "I am fully committed to achieving these goals as they represent the critical steps necessary to enhance the quality of life and business potential of National City."

Enhancing public services

The first three goals outlined by Inzunza are directed to improving public services within National City. Specifically, the mayor committed to building a new library, a South County Arts Center and a new fire station.

Plans for the new National City Library have already been unveiled. To be built at 1400 National City Blvd., the two-story facility will promote literacy and education through the provision of books, resources and services that are geared to the community's adults and children. The architect is Carrier Johnson.

The proposed plan for the new National City Library includes two-stories of books, resources and services geared to the community's adults and children.

The South County Arts Center is planned for the site located at 12th and D, that for many years has been the site of Library and Kimball Bowl. The outdoor amphitheater will be surrounded by lawn and park area for community gatherings.

The mayor's third goal calls for the construction of a new fire department, including a new truck. No specific timeline has been unveiled for this facility, although the mayor's objective is to see this project under construction by the end of his term.

"The state budget crisis means that we may have to have patience where the start of some of these projects are concerned," he said. "However, by focusing on redevelopment and attracting new businesses like Wal-Mart that generate tax revenue. A new fire station will be under way by the end of this year."

Increasing access to higher education

Inzunza committed to increasing access to higher education through the construction of Education Village, which has already broken ground on a 3.4-acre site at the corner of Eighth Street and National City Boulevard. The $20 million urban college campus will be home to three of San Diego's premiere education providers -- San Diego State University, Southwestern College and the San Diego County Office of Education.

Education Village is the only urban campus in California where a community college and a state college have agreed to a seamless matriculation and will provide for a majority of the classes of several majors to be held onsite.

The campus is being funded in part by Prop AA, an $89.4 million capital bond measure approved by voters in November 2000.

"With Education Village, we are making higher education more accessible to South Bay residents, and are also providing valuable resources and technology that will support the region's six school districts," Inzunza said.

Education Village will include a 47,000-square-foot academic building that can accommodate 5,000 students. There will be 12 classrooms, various laboratories, a lecture hall, family resource and child-care center, bookstore and a restaurant.

Additionally, a new San Diego County Office of Education with 25,000 square feet will serve as a regional support center for South County school districts, students and their parents. It will also house a binational education center called Plaza Comunitaria, a center directed to improving the education of Latino adults and students using Spanish-based curriculum provided via the Internet by the Mexican government.

Encourage private redevelopment

The mayor intends to encourage private redevelopment throughout National City and the addition of a new Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) to the city's business base is a giant step forward. The new Wal-Mart celebrated its grand opening last week and is the 11th Wal-Mart store in San Diego.

"Wal-Mart will not only bring quality products at affordable prices to National City, but it will help generate increased traffic along Highland Avenue as well as significant tax revenues for the city that can be used to fund much of the redevelopment being planned," Inzunza said.

Creating a vibrant waterfront

National City's waterfront has been underutilized for years. "Redeveloping this area will add vital recreation opportunities for the children of National City, many of whom have never had the opportunity to learn how to sail or kayak," the mayor said.

Over the next five years, National City's 317-acre Harbor District will undergo a transformation into a bustling marina with a variety of retail services and restaurant space, two major hotels and integrated recreational open space. The proposed redevelopment will enhance access to the marina, eliminate run-down industrial uses, create pedestrian and bicycle pathways, and provide public viewpoints.

A new South County Aquatics Center will be located next to a new 250-slip marina that is currently being dredged. Additionally, the city is actively seeking proposals for the redevelopment of 9 acres along Bay Marina Drive at the entrance to the marina area, with the intention of creating an official Marina Gateway to the area.

Along National City's waterfront will be a new South County Aquatics Center.

Enhancing the city's commercial centers

The mayor is committed to enhancing the city's commercial centers and neighborhoods in a way that celebrates its ethnicity and cultural diversity. The creation of Filipino Village, running along Plaza Boulevard from Highland Avenue to Euclid Avenue, is key among the mayor's goals.

"Creating neighborhood districts that celebrate our city's diversity and enhance retail opportunities for all residents will add to the vitality and financial success of National City," he said.

Inzunza also promised to begin redevelopment of the Highland Avenue Corridor to be divided in two sections (Cocina Mexicana and El Pueblo) by improving the streetscape and creating an area that retailers will be proud to locate in and that residents will enjoy shopping, dining and gathering with friends.

Creating neighborhoods National City can be proud of

The mayor plans to create neighborhoods National City can be proud of by increasing home ownership opportunities through more condominium conversions, new development, infill development and the preservation of existing housing. The mayor cited the new Town Square Row Homes project as an example of more housing to come.

Located at Ninth Street and A Avenue, the homes feature neo-Victorian architecture similar to neighboring Brick Row homes constructed in 1887. The three-level residences offer approximately 1,500 square feet of space, including a ground-level entrance floor that is suitable for an in-home office or extra bedroom. Two of the six homes were designed for low-income families, and sales prices for the remaining residences began in the low $200,000s.

Habitat for Humanity is building three affordable homes on Sheryl Lane that will offer three or four bedrooms and have already been designated to local families with children. These new homeowners and community volunteers will begin construction of the homes in November.

Finally, the mayor committed to creating 12 neighborhood councils to enhance community ownership and pride and to help hold city departments accountable for meeting each community's needs.

In closing his State of the City address, Inzunza promised to be held accountable for achieving these 10 goals. "Having a vision is one thing; helping turn vision into reality is the challenge we face, and a challenge I enthusiastically embrace as I look forward to working for the future of National City," he said.

Grove is president of The Grove Agency.