San Diego finalizes new city council, county supervisor districts
Speaker 1: (00:01)
San Diego has a new map of city council districts.
Speaker 2: (00:04)
So the map reun unites several neighborhoods that, um, were split in past redistricting processes.
Speaker 1: (00:11)
I'm Andrew Bowen with Maureen Kavanaugh. Jade is off today. This is KPBS midday edition. New research shows an abundance of liquor stores may lead to bad health outcomes
Speaker 3: (00:29)
Neighborhoods that have these high concentrations of stores have been linked with an increase in individual drinking habits, including young people who then engage in binge drinking
Speaker 1: (00:39)
Barrio. Logan has a new commuter that aims to address longstanding issues of pollution and gentrification. And you've heard of James Bond, but have you heard him sing that's ahead on K PS midday edition.
Speaker 1: (01:02)
It's been a big week for districting news. Both the city and county of San Diego have approved new maps that will determine who gets to run for which seat in government and which neighborhoods are grouped together. The decisions have big implications for local politics and the voting power of underrepresented minority groups. Joining me to unpack all this is voice of Diego reporter Maya Krishin Maya. Welcome. Thanks for having me. Let's start with the city of San Diego. The city's independent redistricting commission approved a final map of new city council districts last night. Can you summarize some of the more significant changes to this map, which neighborhoods are moving into new districts? So
Speaker 2: (01:44)
The map reunites, some neighborhoods that, um, were split in past redistricting processes like, uh, Claremont, Linda Vista, normal Heights, Rancho mosquitoes, um, it also changed, um, district six, which is the city's Asian empowerment district to, um, stretch from university city to Mira Mesa. Uh, it connects Pacific beach to LA Jolla in district one and district two, which is the second coastal district includes mission beach, ocean beach point Loma Claremont and old town, um, which is a little bit different. The map also splits mission valley and Scripps ranch between districts. It moves Qualcom into district nine. Um, and then it also made some changes to district south of the eight, like moving, um, communities like shell town and south crest from district nine to district eight and moving communities like Redwood village and Roland park from district four to district nine among other things,
Speaker 1: (02:37)
What kinds of factors have to be considered as the commission was redrawing all of these lines? So
Speaker 2: (02:44)
The commission has to take into account quite a few different factors. Um, one of the primary factors is that the districts have to have roughly equal population so that, um, you know, theoretically everyone's vote counts equally. Um, but the commission also has to weigh a lot of things like community planning, group areas, natural boundaries, like canyons rivers, or major highways, um, and communities of interest, which can be sort of any group that is making an argument that they should be in a district together because they share certain characteristics or values. Uh, the commissioners also need to take into account the ability of protected racial groups like Latinos, Asians, um, Pacific ISS and black voters to elect candidates of their choice and make sure that districts are not diluting their, their votes through this process.
Speaker 1: (03:29)
There were a lot of folks who were unhappy with this new map and it didn't pass the commission unanimously. It, it passed with a seven two vote. What is behind criticism of this map? And what did those two dissenters on the commission have to say about why they voted? No.
Speaker 2: (03:45)
So, you know, there's a, quite a few different, um, areas of criticism that people have had for the maps. Um, a big one, uh, and this is something that both of the commissioners who voted against the map brought up is that, you know, the, the map and, and the commission seem to prioritize the wants of affluent coastal communities over, you know, communities of color and more marginalized communities. Um, but one of the commissioners also who also voted no, um, also cited the division of mission valley and several other things. And there were several people at the final meeting last night who also, uh, brought up issues with scripts, ranch, being divided. And with old town being moved from district three to district two
Speaker 1: (04:26)
Independent redistricting commission chair, Tom, he rank defended the final map. Here's some of what he said last night, the final
Speaker 4: (04:33)
Map and plan also reunited several communities that had been split in 2010, including and Vista Claremont and Rancho Pango. The commission was not able to keep every community whole with, by, without violating other redistricting principles and maintaining an equal population balance. And it was necessary to split some of the communities in the final map and
Speaker 1: (04:57)
Plan am Maya. You've done a lot of really great report on some of the racial dynamics that have been shaping this whole redistricting debate. And one of those stories you did is on district four, which has been historically the black empowerment district that covers most of Southeastern San Diego things have been changing there. Haven't they tell us more about that? Yeah. The
Speaker 2: (05:18)
Demographics in district four have been shifting a lot. Uh, the district is still very diverse, but it's been becoming less black and more Latino API and white. Um, much of this is due to the cost of living in San Diego and the gentrification of communities in the district. But it also has to do with other issues like over policing and lack of job opportunities and infrastructure in those neighborhoods that particularly negatively impact black residents.
Speaker 1: (05:44)
Another district that's been changing a lot is district nine. This includes city Heights, Kensington, and the college area. They've seen a similar decline in its Latinx population. And that's made it tougher to maintain that district as a Latinx empowerment district. Tell us about that.
Speaker 2: (06:02)
Yeah. So district nine was, um, a new district that was created in 2011. And, you know, in 2011, the intention of commissioners and the community members and advocates who, you know, fought for district nine to be the way it was, um, back the, in was that it would be a second Latino empowerment district. Um, historically district eight had been the district where Latinos could represent, uh, or could elect a representative who would represent their in interest. Um, but as the city's Latino population has been growing, people felt like they needed another seat at the table, but again, in part due to cost of living and, and gentrification issues, the Latino population, um, and particularly the Latino population that can vote in that district has grown more slowly than the white voting population in surrounding areas. And in addition to that district four and district eight, which border district nine, um, also haven't been grown as fast as some communities north of the eight. And so, you know, there was a lot of trading of census tracks and things like that to ensure those districts all got up to the population that they needed to. Um, and ultimately what this meant was that a lot of communities and census tracks that were more highly white were added to district nine and that sort of changed, um, and decreased the Latino voting population in district nine. Um, when compared to where the district was before, um, this redistricting process,
Speaker 1: (07:31)
Let's talk about the county, the San Diego county has its own independent redistricting commission, and they approved a map this week for the five county O D supervisor districts. What were some of the significant changes there?
Speaker 2: (07:42)
The new county map, uh, created a district one that is a majority minority Latino district. Um, so that includes parts of south San Diego like Bario Logan and Logan Heights. And it also includes Imperial beach, national city and Chula Vista. Um, there's now, uh, coastal district district three that runs from Corona to Carlsbad. Um, district two continues to be the east county district and includes, you know, much of the unincorporated back country. Um, in addition to cities like El Cajon and Sani district four, includes part of the city of San Diego as well. Um, and also now includes cities like lemon Grove, LA Mesa, and parts of the unincorporated county, like Rancho San Diego paradise Hills and, um, spring valley. Um, and then district five, the north county district includes a lot of the, um, cities along the 78 corridor, including a Escondido and Marco Vista and Oceanside. Um, it also includes camp Pendleton and incorporated areas like Fallbrook and, um, valley center.
Speaker 1: (08:48)
I've been speaking with voice of San Diego reporter Mayish, re Christian Maya. Thank you for your reporting on this. And thanks for joining us.
Speaker 3: (08:55)
Thanks for having me.
Speaker 5: (09:05)
The holiday season is known for bright lights, family, friends, and good times. Unfortunately, it's also known for too much of a good time DUI traditionally spike during the holidays in San Diego fatalities this year from DUI crashes have already reached a 20 year high. It's no secret that some communities have a higher concentration of liquor stores and liquor sales outlets than others. And that's an inequity and a potential danger alcohol policy panel of San Diego is hoping to address during its annual meeting tomorrow. Joining me to talk about how this issue affects San Diego is Katherine Patterson. She's co-director for city health and key speaker of the alcohol policy planning meeting. Katherine, welcome to the program.
Speaker 3: (09:53)
Thank you so much, Maureen. So happy to be here with you
Speaker 5: (09:56)
Also joining us as David Surey he's Institute for public strategies program director for east county. David. Welcome. Thank
Speaker 6: (10:04)
You.
Speaker 5: (10:05)
So Catherine, give us an idea of the problems that this alcohol policy panel will be examining during tomorrow's meeting.
Speaker 3: (10:12)
Alcohol use is a major determinant of people's health. And, and as you mentioned, Maureen, in your opening, it can be deadly. You know, alcohol contributes to over a hundred thousand deaths in the us per year. Alcohol can also impact our health in a number of different ways from increasing your cancer risk and heart disease to leading to more motor vehicle crashes and even a higher homicide and suicide rate. I always think it's interesting to think about the cost associated with alcohol excessive alcohol use can cost the us 249 billion in 2010, and this is mostly related to binge drinking. So
Speaker 5: (10:50)
David, then what areas in San Diego are we seeing a higher concentration of bars and liquor stores?
Speaker 6: (10:57)
Well, what we can say is that across the county, out of the 628 census tracks, which is how the ABC issues licenses that 308 are over concentrated. That means that they've been given a number of licenses to have, and those licenses have been exceeded and that both or off sale licenses, meaning purchases at a liquor store, that you would then take offsite to your home. And then 215 on sale census tracks are over concentrated and that's ours restaurants and those kinds of areas. So we're seeing across the county over concentration in quite a few, you know, you've think of the areas that are more inclined to have Barss and liquor stores, entertainment areas, but we also see it in the rural areas as well. For example, in east county, the area of Casa or the area of spring valley, the area of lemon Grove all have areas which are over concentrated and have contributed to increases in both crime, but also public health impacts as well.
Speaker 5: (12:02)
And the types of stores that can sell alcohol have expanded in recent years, David haven't, they I've seen several convenience stores, add alcohol to their infant, to
Speaker 6: (12:13)
Alcohol is something that makes money. And so we understand that in the economy, as it is with COVID and also the insecurity of where we're going, that businesses will wanna improve their financial lines so that they can continue to survive. But in reality, what we've seen is that when you have an impact, like, like over concentration has on communities, it actually hurts businesses. Uh, businesses tend to wanna appeal to the most public, the, the greatest number of folks coming into their stores. And you'll see things like selling of high alcohol, uh, beverages, single serve those kinds of things, which you don't normally use when you're having a house party or you're having a beer or a cocktail after work. And so those kinds of things impact public health, public safety, and overall business health.
Speaker 5: (13:04)
Katherine, do we find a direct link between the number of liquor outlets in a community and a higher rate of crime?
Speaker 3: (13:12)
Absolutely. As I talked a little bit earlier, people are pretty familiar with the individual health effects of alcohol use, but surprisingly, um, many folks may not be aware that the placement, a number of stores and sell alcohol can also make a huge difference in the health of a community. So for example, neighborhoods that have these high concentrations of stores have been linked with an increased in individual drinking habits, including young people who then engage in binge drinking. And then second studies have found that communities that have these high concentrations of alcohol outlets also have increased rates of violence and violent crime. So even after you account for things like poverty and gang violence neighborhoods have more of these alcohol outlets tend to see more homicides, aggravated assault, sexual assault, and robberies committed on their streets.
Speaker 5: (14:03)
And David, according to public policy advocates, it's not only criminal behavior. That's connected to having a lot of bars and liquor stores in a neighborhood. It has, as you alluded to a negative economic impact on the community, can you explain how that
Speaker 6: (14:17)
Works? Certainly. So when you have over concentration of alcohol retailers say you have a business district that has multiple bars, multiple liquor stores, multiple corner markets. And that seems to be the dominant business activity there. Then it tends to not be welcoming area perception wise. So the, uh, liquor stores, the corner markets, et cetera, will crowd out. They'll attract a certain, um, clientele that maybe, uh, other business owners don't necessarily wanna attract the overall physical and, um, environmental condition of where this is, has a tendency to downgrade. And so, um, you see in communities that have these over concentration that, um, you know, there's less public investment, there's less revital that happens. And, uh, people tend to not wanna visit these therefore not investing their money in these communities.
Speaker 5: (15:18)
So, Kathryn, what do we do about this? Is this cycle of more liquor outlets, crowding out other businesses in communities? Is that one of the equity issues that you are trying to solve?
Speaker 3: (15:29)
Absolutely. I think most importantly, cities can do something about this. And I think it's really interesting to note that San Diego specifically, um, is doing something around safer alcohol sales. So I work with a group called city health that actually looks at a number of different policies that impact the health and wellness of residents. The, and one of the policies that we look at specifically is say for alcohol sales. So in terms of our criteria, San Diego has currently earned a silver in this category, which is fantastic. However, they could get to gold. And if cities have the authority limiting the density of alcohol stores and regulating the sales can and have a significant impact on residents, safety, wellbeing, and health. So there are opportunities for improvement. And we always encourage folks to reach out to us@cityhealth.org, if they want more information about how to do just that.
Speaker 5: (16:26)
And Catherine, as an example, lemon Grove, which was mentioned as one of these over concentrated areas, we at liquor stores and liquor outlets, the city council there recently denied a liquor license to a convenience store because they said there are too many liquor outlets in their community. Is that the kind of action that you're looking for?
Speaker 3: (16:45)
That's absolutely right. I think when appropriate and when possible, making good choices based on the other evidence based policy is exactly what we're trying to encourage folks to do. I think the other thing Maureen that's important to mention is how do residents feel about the inclusion of liquor within this corner store? Is the city taking into account what residents would like to see? Because I think that's what we've seen for decades in red line communities, where we tend these clusters of alcohol outlets within communities of color and also low income communities. Residents should have a choice about who and what is sold within their particular community.
Speaker 5: (17:26)
And I've been speaking with Katherine Patterson, co-director of city health and key speaker at tomorrow's alcohol policy panel meeting and with David Surey Institute for public strategies, program director for east county, Catherine and David. Thank you so much.
Speaker 3: (17:41)
Thank you so much, Maureen. It's been a pleasure. Thank you,
Speaker 6: (17:44)
Maureen.
Speaker 5: (17:52)
This is KPBS midday edition. I'm Maureen Kavanaugh with Andrew Bowen. Jade Henman is away for the day soon. California public schools will offer free transitional kindergarten for all four year olds. It will be a big help to working parents, but K BS reporter Tanya thorn tells us it may have unintended consequences for childcare providers.
Speaker 7: (18:16)
Pamela Casas four year old goes to an in-home daycare. It costs her about $700 a month, but by 2025 kids' age could go to free transitional kindergarten at their public schools, but got doesn't know what she will do.
Speaker 8: (18:32)
I worry that there's not enough. Um, one on one attention. So in that aspect, I consider staying, um, where I'm at now.
Speaker 7: (18:41)
And some parents told KPBS the cost of their childcare exceeds their mortgage payment. CASA's payment isn't that high, but she says she would continue pain out of pocket. That's if she doesn't like what is being offered at the public school
Speaker 8: (18:55)
And is it gonna be equitable across all districts? Because we already know the districts the way they are in California. Like there there's a lot of disparities even in that,
Speaker 7: (19:06)
But not all parents have the luxury of choice.
Speaker 8: (19:09)
I think it, it will be an good thing for some families because at least it'll decrease the cost. But even though there's a cost benefit analysis, is it still the right choice?
Speaker 7: (19:24)
Mac is a countywide organization that helps low income families with resources like full day childcare CEO at no says while universal TK is free. It will have a shorter schedule which may not work for some families. The
Speaker 9: (19:39)
Majority of our population don't have the structure of work. Uh, they are essential workers and they have to be on site for the most part. Uh, so that would, that that's something that was very concerning. And for us, needless to say, the there's a huge need for
Speaker 7: (19:53)
It, but he says, if it's run well, it will help prepare kids for the classroom environment in kindergarten. Still there may be unintended consequences to childcare providers
Speaker 10: (20:03)
In mid-August. I lost about a third of my enrollment, very unexpectedly because the local elementary schools in our community had suddenly opened up up a late threes, early four year old program, Holly
Speaker 7: (20:15)
Weber, the owner of magic hours, preschool lost some kids to a new TK program in Mira Mesa. Now she has had to apply for a license to care for younger children to make up the loss, but changes to her business. Aren't her biggest concern. There
Speaker 10: (20:30)
Were children that still had frequent accidents throughout out the day, uh, that that couldn't hardly express themselves to communicate and articulate their needs. Those are very, very critical components in a child's life. We could talk about how this is gonna affect businesses all day long, but what we need to really, really focus on is the developmental concerns and the generation of children that will
Speaker 7: (20:56)
Stem from this Weber fears that school districts will be burdened with a new set of responsibilities.
Speaker 10: (21:02)
You know, there's a reason why childcare centers have staff with very special education under for children, uh, birth through five years, as well as elementary staff have specialized credentials for teaching above five years of age and how it's proposed to, to mix those models. I, I don't know
Speaker 7: (21:23)
Already kids born between September and December get free TK. One teacher for that age group says for the program to work schools need the proper resources. She asks that K PS not use her name to protect her job. I am
Speaker 11: (21:37)
Concerned about how the district is going to implement this and whether or not they have the staffing to provide the adequate support for all the students that will be coming in um, with the added extra students for all the four year olds, um, they would definitely need to get a lot more staff that have both the teaching credential and the early childhood education units
Speaker 7: (22:02)
That despite school districts across the region facing massive staffing shortages public schools have until the 2025 school year to figure it out.
Speaker 5: (22:12)
Joining me as KPBS north county reporter Tanya thorn, Tanya. Welcome.
Speaker 7: (22:18)
Thank you, Maureen.
Speaker 5: (22:19)
Now, many parents and educators have been pushing for programs like this for years. So before we start discussing the problems that you brought up will, why has transitional kindergarten been such a popular idea?
Speaker 7: (22:33)
You know, Maureen, it's due to the times we're living in, right? I mean, especially here in California, the cost of living is expensive. Childcare is expensive. So a free TK program for younger children is in demand primarily for childcare, you know, but also for preparation and TK ultimately prepares children to enter the public school system with an idea of what to expect the classroom environment, basic skills, and just that socialization with other children
Speaker 5: (23:01)
Do many school districts in San Diego already offer some form of transitional kindergarten.
Speaker 7: (23:07)
You know, most schools in San Diego do offer some sort of TK, but it is only for children who turn five between September 2nd and December 2nd. So many parents are left with no TK spot for their child in a public school and have to resort to looking for a private childcare. I mean, if, you know, if your child turned five, October 31st or September 1st, you don't make that cutoff. In some cases, some families qualify for government programs that assist with placement in some private preschools, but this is all income based. So there are certain brackets where if a family earns, let's say a thousand dollars over the, that income limit, they don't qualify for the program and need to find something within their means. San Diego unified rolled out a pilot TK program this year, and that program only had a thousand spots and 2,500 families applied. So I mean, that really paints a picture of the demand and one of our local districts here
Speaker 5: (24:04)
And you so that some parents are paying more than their mortgage for childcare as it stands. Now, is there an average cost that families are paying?
Speaker 7: (24:12)
Isn't that crazy? I mean, I, I don't think there's an average because it really varies on the type of childcare a family has, but I did hear from various families that the cost of their childcare exceeds their mortgage. And although I believe it, it's, it's still a hard pill to swallow, right? And so the parent in my story takes her son to an in-home daycare with a handful of children. I think it was a group of maybe five to 10 kids and she's only going part-time. So she does three half days out of the week and she's paying $700 a month. And now let's say she wanted to take her son full time. Her price would double. And so, you know, another option are many families like myself, rely on grandparents or nearby family to help, but not everyone has that option. So it really looks, you know, very different across the board, depending on what type of care a family has access to. Now,
Speaker 5: (25:04)
The parent you spoke with in your report, it has concerns about the one to one attention that might be lacking in public school, transitional kindergarten, but kids almost as young go to kindergarten in public schools. And for the most part, they get plenty of attention. So what's the concern,
Speaker 7: (25:21)
You know, like I said, the parent I interviewed in the story takes are sent to an in-home daycare where it it's a smaller group of children. So ratios are a big concern for her. And for many parents that are already used to a center like this. So her son has gotten used to that. And she's gotten used to the fact that let's say maybe it's a ratio of five children per adult. And that's just something that we're not gonna see in the universal TK program. School are already facing staffing shortages. So how will that demand be met? Parents are concerned about how the ratios will will work. Are we talking about 15 to 20 younger children per adult? And also we need to think about, you know, younger children have different needs. Some children aren't fully party trained. Some children still need to work on their communication skills, socialization skills. So schools really need to work on how this will be rolled out,
Speaker 5: (26:14)
Right? How are they preparing to offer TK?
Speaker 7: (26:17)
You know, we're still in the very early stages of this. So we haven't gotten a clear picture of how the schools are gonna be implementing this. But I think it's gonna be really interesting to see how each school district runs their TK programs and just how universal they will be. You know, one teacher we spoke to said her district is remodeling her school and they are already keeping the TK programs in mind. They haven't done much planning as far as the classrooms and teachers, but she told me that they have started to purchase smaller furniture, you know, adequate for these younger children, childcare
Speaker 5: (26:50)
Providers of course seem to be caught in the middle of this. And as a group they've been through a lot since the pandemic. Can you remind us about the struggles that they've already faced?
Speaker 7: (27:00)
Yeah. I mean, childcare provider are barely recovering after the pandemic. You know, some centers had to close during the pandemic and when they did come back, they had to reduce the number of kids that, that they can accept. You know, they had to enforce new rules like masking and safety protocols or, you know, some centers even shut down. They didn't make it out of the pandemic. So, so this program really comes at a time when the rules have eased up and parents are going back to the office and the centers are back in demand. A lot of them with wait lists of children waiting for a spot. But now that is all being threatened because of this universal TK program. You know, if childcare costs are as high as a second mortgage and the state now offers a free program at their local public school. And oftentimes where an older sibling is already going, what route do you think parents are going to take? It's a tough situation. Although, you know, I will add that some parents express thinking about staying with their current private childcare provider, if they don't like what the public schools are offering. So again, we're talking about the ratios and the curriculum. So I think it's gonna be really interesting to see how it all plays out. I've
Speaker 5: (28:08)
Been speaking with K PS, north county reporter, Tanya thorn, Tanya. Thank you very much.
Speaker 7: (28:13)
Thank you.
Speaker 1: (28:19)
Residents of Barrio, Logan are hoping that a newly minted community plan will help address us long standing issues that have plagued the area for decades issues like toxic air pollution and gentrification, the new framework, which the San Diego city council approved last week aims to ensure growth without displacement. It also includes new parks and an attempt to shield residents from the harmful effects of living so close to industries. Joining me now is Julie CORs, a policy advocate for the environmental health coalition, which helped to work on the new plan. Julie, welcome to the program. Thank you.
Speaker 12: (28:55)
Happy to
Speaker 1: (28:56)
Be here. This plan was so many years in the making. Why has it taken so long to approve an update to the Bario Logan community plan
Speaker 12: (29:04)
Back in 2000 thousand and eight, the process began community got very involved. There was over 50 meetings, uh, five year long process, and a plan was actually approved by the city council. However, industry along the port, wasn't happy with portions of it and they launched a, uh, ballot initiative to turn it. Unfortunately it was successful and making Barrio Logan, the only community in San Diego to have had the entire city of pine on its plan. It was successful, although it wasn't entirely accurate or truthful campaign, it was successful. And the plan was overturned.
Speaker 1: (29:40)
Well, the residents of Barrio Logan and the ship building industry that exists along the port there actually started talking and came to an agreement somewhat. Can you
Speaker 12: (29:49)
Describe what changed in this plan that led that ship building industry and the, and the other industries along the coast there to go along with this plan update. It's an interesting story. The resident to Baro Logan have continued to press for a plan, an updated plan that protects their health, but recently our city council and, and our former mayor began to entertain the idea, but required that the ship building industry and community members and environmental justice advocates come to some sort of agreement that guaranteed, uh, to the city that the process wouldn't end again in a referendum. So representatives of all three parties came to the table. And after about a year of meetings, uh, signed a memorandum of understanding that kind of outlined the uses and what we're calling the transitions on, which was the area of contention in the 2013 plan. And honestly, there weren't too many, if anything, the transition zone is stronger. I think all folks at the table realized that not having a plan in place was detrimental to everyone in the community, including industry. And that understanding led to the memorandum of understanding and the plan that came before. Council,
Speaker 1: (30:59)
How have residents been reacting to the approval of this plan update so far?
Speaker 12: (31:03)
There's been a lot of celebration when it passed at the planning group meeting, when the planning group approved it and sent it off to council, there was celebrations and there was tears even. And when it came before city council, there was more of that folks were a little sad to not be able to be there in person. Um, and some of the restrictions with the pandemic didn't allow us to be together and celebrate, um, at city hall the way we would've, uh, had times been different, but we were together. We were excited. Uh, there were tears, there were lots of praise. And, and just being together
Speaker 1: (31:37)
When talking about community plan updates in other neighborhoods, the hottest debate is often around housing and dense. How does the new plan for Barrio Logan address those issues and the threat of gentrification
Speaker 12: (31:49)
Barrio? Logan has same, the same concerns. We have areas that are older specifically around Boston avenue that didn't wanna see a lot of density, but for the most part, I think our communities are a little different. Um, in that sense where we don't mind the density, we just want density for us. We want the ability to keep living here and for our children to live here and our neighbors to stay the plan. Uh, the Bario Logan community plan does increase densities and areas closer to downtown. It rezoned an entire area that was previously, uh, industrial full or higher density housing. But what we did is we were able to increase the percentage of affordable units required a new development. So citywide 10% of units have to be affordable de restricted, um, in Baro Logan. Now it has to be 15. And another important part of that is that in bar Logan developers are not allowed to pay the what's called the in lieu of fee, a fee that allows you to get out of building the units, which is usually a lot less than it would cost to build them in Barro Logan developers cant do that.
Speaker 12: (32:58)
They have to build the units within the planning
Speaker 1: (33:00)
Area. Now this updated plan also proposes the, uh, creation of some new parks and environmentally friendly community spaces. Can you tell us what those will look like?
Speaker 12: (33:10)
Oh, we're so excited about the greening efforts in Barrio. We identified different, uh, locations for pocket parks. We're especially excited about the park on Boston avenue. It will take a large swath about three blocks of, uh, Caltrans right away, underutilized and, and create a beautiful park space for communities. We are park deficient. We only have 7% tree canopy in our neighborhood and we're at high risk of urban heat. I so identifying these opportunities for green space will go a long way in protecting our future.
Speaker 1: (33:45)
There's been a long history of environmental racism committed by both the local and the state government against the residents of Barrio Logan. This goes all the way back to the construction of the I five freeway through there. Can you tell us just a bit about that history?
Speaker 12: (34:00)
Sure. You know, we'd say it goes beyond that, right. Goes back to Redlin to the thirties when Logan Heights and Baria Logan were red line, it goes back to a time before community planning, uh, when the powers that be at the time decided that bar Logan and Logan Heights is where all the industry and San Diego should go right away from more affluent in wider neighborhoods. Um, and, and in places where brown and black and indigenous people lived. Um, and at the time it was seen as, as acceptable, right? The, uh, bipo people of the city would bear the brunt of, uh, the entire city's industry. Um, and that continued up until really this plan, the passing of this plan, um, up until this plan, you could put a auto shop right next to a child's bedroom window. Um, and it really was a remnant of, you know, historical racist land use policy that didn't value the lives of, of black and brown folks. So, um, it's another reason that this, this plan is, is huge for us and really marks, um, the dawning of anywhere.
Speaker 1: (35:02)
Lastly, Julie, there's a nascent campaign to put a cap over a section of the I five freeway that would reunite Bario Logan with Logan Heights. Can you tell us about that?
Speaker 12: (35:10)
So EHT we've been on the peripheral of it. It's, it's really driven by a former council member, David Alvarez, and we're excited about it. Uh, you know, I think it, it, it, it points to, um, institutional, um, and governmental agencies realizing the damage they've done to our communities and trying to make amends for it. I think Logan Heights and bar Logan are a perfect place to, to begin, uh, to make up for some of that damage, putting a cap over the freeway and reuniting the communities, which to this day feel like one and act like one and, and, um, live as one community, uh, will go a long way to rectify some of those injustices. We can get back green space on these lids. We can add housing, affordable housing on these lids. I think it's it's time to do so. And I think it's the right thing to do
Speaker 1: (36:01)
Big changes coming to Barrio Logan, at least let's hope. So I've been speaking with Julie Carras, a policy advocate for the environmental health coalition, Julie, thank you. Thank
Speaker 12: (36:11)
You.
Speaker 5: (36:24)
This is KPBS midday edition. I'm Maureen Kavanaugh with Andrew Bowen. Jade Henman is away for the day actor, Tom Stewart put his obsession with James Bond into a 2018 San Diego international fringe show. Call one man bond for the show. He channeled all six actors who have played bond and condensed all the films into an hour. K P S arts reporter. Beth Amando has been following the evolution of the show, which now returns as James Bond, the musical at the car Playhouse this weekend,
Speaker 13: (36:59)
Your bond. Oh, I'm sorry, Tom.
Speaker 14: (37:02)
Tom Stewart. Yeah, I go by both.
Speaker 13: (37:05)
You have a show now that you have been working on for a number of years. Yes. I was privileged and delighted to see the one man bond show at fringe, but what has it turned into
Speaker 14: (37:16)
Now? The current iteration, uh, James Bond, the musical is, is a musical cabaret comedy adaptation of one man bond, or the bond shows that later became known and we've kind of musical. Um, the show. We have musical interludes, rejected bond themes and soundtrack deep cuts and some original bond pasti songs.
Speaker 13: (37:44)
Now the original one, man bond condensed all of the bond movies into one show. So can people expect this from this show?
Speaker 14: (37:51)
Oh yeah, absolutely. We're doing all 25 at this point, including no time to die. We're gonna put that on a sticker on the poster now includes no time to die. So yeah, so you're getting the, the same experience with live music and, and musically themed sketches and skits as well. So
Speaker 13: (38:08)
Explain to people what inspired this and what you wanted this show to kind of encompass
Speaker 14: (38:14)
Music is so central to the, to the James Bond films. And yet whenever you see, you know, a celebration of bond music, you know, it's, it's, it's the same songs, it's the theme songs because, you know, naturally they're as iconic as the films themselves. And that's what everyone wants to hear. I, on the other hand am very interested in this kind of shadow world of bond music, which is the bond themes that were submitted to the producers, but rejected or, um, the, the songs that were specifically recorded as background To never really be heard. So I wanted to bring all that to light because the show has always been a kind of alternative skew perspective on the bond film. So I wanted, uh, a musical soundtrack that it also addressed that.
Speaker 13: (39:01)
So talk about the kind of research you did for this, because not just in terms of the music, but also you find like memos from producers and like really interesting little tidbits to throw into this.
Speaker 14: (39:13)
It started with rejected bond thing and going online and through, through YouTube and, and websites where you can find videos and demos of all these amazing and not so amazing songs that were submitted to the producer of the bond films, but for one reason or another, uh, never taken up, taken up. So yeah, it's the fascinating little niche culture that we've appeared to, uh, have tread into .
Speaker 13: (39:42)
And one of these is a rejected golden
Speaker 14: (39:44)
Eye that's right? Yeah. By AA base, we
Speaker 15: (39:59)
Different,
Speaker 14: (40:00)
It's an incredible piece of music making a very 80 sounding song to a very distinctly nineties movie. So it's not hard to see why the producers might have gone with, uh, with another artist.
Speaker 13: (40:12)
And you also do a little bit of a musical number to kind of sum up your feelings about specter
Speaker 14: (40:19)
Well, not specifically my feelings about specter, uh, but yeah, it's in, in, in every version of this show, I do something different with specter every time based on the kind of show I'm doing. So, because it's a musical, I wanted to have a, a kind of musical version of the film spec. And that's what we've done here. Specifically, a William Shatner spoken word version of the movie, uh, inspired by the Hollys. He ain't heavy. It's my brother, he's my brother, but
Speaker 16: (40:49)
I'm without.
Speaker 13: (40:58)
And what inspired you to tackle bond is bond a character that you've always been obsessed with or liked?
Speaker 14: (41:04)
Yes. Uh, to both I'm watching bond films, since I was a child, it's kind of ingrained in growing up as a, as a kind of British person, at least in my generation that, you know, these movies would be on the, on TV all the time. They were big events when they were on. And, you know, over the years it sort of becomes like a lexicon that you carry with you through life. So when it came time to sort of devise a solo show for myself, like a, like a showcase, this was for me, at least the obvious choice, because I was so invested in it as, as an idea. And, and, you know, because I, I am a British person living in a foreign country thematically as well. It seemed to, uh, the idea of bonds seemed to jive, this kind of world traveler, who is also incredibly for better and worse, uh, representative of Britain and its place in the world. And what
Speaker 13: (41:54)
Do you think it is about bond, the films and the character that have captured everybody's imagination for decades?
Speaker 14: (42:03)
Uh, it's a really good question. I, I wish I wish I had a good answer for it. See, he seems the, kind of the least, the least likely candidate to, to last so long, because he was already dated by the time the sixties came around that that type of, that type of hero, that type of personality and, and the ideas that he represented were already very dated. I think, you know, part of it is, is, you know, people's natural gravitation towards, towards nostalgia. You know, he's a naturally back towards looking character and, and I think that jives, but the, but the, the, uh, the film series has always been incredible at keeping up to date. They've always contemporized the, the setting. They've never kept it a period piece. And, you know, we, you can, you can change the actor periodically, which is a, you know, a great formula for, uh, longevity in, in a media franchise. Uh, you're not tied to one, uh, specific actor and, you know, and they let the person playing it, do it for about 20 years or so. So, or what feels like 20 years. So it, it works with, you know, with the way that the industry works as well.
Speaker 13: (43:12)
And talk about the journey that your show has had because it started at fringe. Yeah. And this was a 60 minute piece that was in a tiny little theater, and now you're here at the Corona Playhouse.
Speaker 14: (43:23)
It started as a show that was as, as basic as could be that, you know, I could literally take anywhere and do, you know, theoretically I could set up on a street corner and, and, uh, perform it before being arrested. So because of that, it's always been extremely flexible and adaptable to, you know, to take, to theaters and say, uh, I, you know, I have, I have this show and we can make it as big as you want, or as small as you want. And that's kind of very attractive to, to theaters because you know, that you can work with what they have. And the joy of this show is always kind of reinventing it each time based on the place that you're performing, performing with and what kind of a show you want to do. And so, you know, when, when the possibility of working with Cando Playhouse came up, uh, I immediately thought that I needed to turn it into a musical. So it it's very much about, um, it it's, it's a piece that travels well, like, like bond himself.
Speaker 13: (44:22)
. All right. Well, I wanna thank you very much for talking about the James Bond musical. You're very
Speaker 14: (44:27)
Welcome.
Speaker 5: (44:30)
That was Beth Amando speaking with actor and brighter, Tom Stewart, his James Bond, the musical runs this Friday through Sunday at the car Playhouse.
Speaker 16: (45:03)
I, the, the,
Speaker 17: (46:12)
I, um,