A proposal to develop a five-year plan to address San Diego's crumbling roads and facilities will be taken up by the City Council's Infrastructure Committee on Monday.
The plan, if adopted, would give city officials a roadmap for reducing a backlog of capital projects and maintenance that is believed to be valued at around $1 billion. It would be renewed every two years and open to amendments, according to a report by leaders of the city's Public Works Department.
The plan would be drafted through March, vetted by city officials and the public, and finalized next fall, the report says.
The guide would cover maintenance, replacements and new facilities at the city's Civic Center complex, airports, libraries, recreation centers, storm water systems, landfills, pools, police and fire stations, lifeguard structures, streets, water treatment and distribution systems, Petco Park and Qualcomm Stadium, the report says.
City officials have embarked on a series of needs assessments of city facilities and sidewalks so they can get a more specific indication of the scope of the problem.
The City Council has recently taken public testimony on infrastructure priorities, both at City Hall and community meetings.
A limiting factor will be the amount of money available over the next five years.
On Thursday, Interim Mayor Todd Gloria released his five-year projection for municipal finances, which starts with a $19.1 million shortfall in the next fiscal year for basic services.
While the ensuing years offer surpluses, various initiatives approved by the City Council, along with state and federal mandates, put the projected balance sheet back in the red by tens of millions of dollars.
Some of that extra spending approved by the council is infrastructure-related, however, including operating expenses for three new fire stations and expanded library branches, plus debt service on construction bonds.
