Roundtable: San Diego’s High Rise Money Pit

San Diego's Empty, Expensive High Rise

A large office building on Ash Street was supposed to be the city of San Diego's future home for administrative workers. Instead, it sits empty with asbestos exposure and other problems after an ill-advised real estate deal. It's just one example of issues within the city's real estate division, which has led to high-profile departures. Voice of San Diego associate editor Jesse Marx tells us why the city is paying thousands of dollars in rent each day for the property that won't be used anytime soon, and how Mayor Kevin Faulconer had to publicly answer questions about the issue this week.

RELATED: $11.2 Million In Rent Losses Add To San Diego’s COVID-19 Budget Woes

Outsourcing Health Care For County Inmates

San Diego County's Board of Supervisors agreed this week to begin the process of exploring a plan that would put health care services for inmates entirely in the hands of private companies. Some services are already outsourced, but Sheriff Bill Gore wants to streamline the process to limit services to one provider. Kelly Davis, senior editor for The Appeal, explains the barriers to quality care behind bars and the political debate over how this money is spent.

RELATED: City Attorney’s Drug Diversion Program Shows Some Success In First Year

The Future Of How We Work After COVID-19

America is in the middle of a major employment crisis brought on by COVID-19. Many of those who have held onto their jobs have had to work remotely for nearly five months. San Diego Union-Tribune business reporter Brittany Meiling shares her personal story about working from home and the mental burnout brought on by combining her home and professional life into one setting. We also discuss how communities and work culture might change if this temporary solution becomes a lasting part of our society.

RELATED: Teleworking Can Reduce Car Travel — But Not As Much As You May Think

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