FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 12, 2022

CONTACT:
MayorPress@sandiego.gov

SAN DIEGO Standing with community members at a park in Mountain View set to receive long-awaited upgrades, Mayor Todd Gloria today highlighted the infrastructure funding in his proposed Ready to Rebuild budget for fiscal year 2023, which aims to tackle San Diegos aging infrastructure problems with the largest investment in City history.

The City has historically pushed a lot of critical infrastructure needs to the back burner over the past few decades and I wont allow us to do that any longer, said Mayor Todd Gloria. My budget proposal is a commitment to rebuilding San Diego and a better future for all of us a future with a reliable water supply, functional stormwater and sewer systems, smooth streets, and great parks and libraries in every neighborhood.

Much-needed upgrades to San Diegos water, sewer and stormwater upgrades together comprise the most substantial portion of the infrastructure spending, with $349 million of the $808.9 million Capital Improvements Program going to Phase 1 of Pure Water the water recycling program that will supply nearly half of San Diegos drinking water by 2035 while cutting in half the amount of treated sewage discharged into the ocean.

The budget also includes another $343 million to upgrade and repair existing water and sewer infrastructure, including pumps, treatment plants, pipelines and reservoirs.

In addition, more than $27.5 million has been allocated to gear up for a major overhaul of the citys aging and inadequate stormwater system. The City has secured $359 million in low-interest federal loans to help pay for a five-year, $733 million program of upgrades for the drainage system that keeps pollution from flowing into our waterways and prevents flooding in neighborhoods during rainstorms.

The proposed budget increases street resurfacing funding by $14.3 million for a total of $77 million in the coming fiscal year, with another $12.3 million to fix sidewalks in 600 locations around the city, improve traffic flows at intersections and remove graffiti and weeds.

For years, the City has underinvested in our infrastructure needs, and I am proud that this Mayor and Council are getting to work to fix our roads, parks, libraries, and more so that we remain Americas Finest City for generations to come, said Councilmember Marni von Wilpert. As Chair of the Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I am honored to work alongside our Mayor who is serious about addressing our Citys aging infrastructure issues by proposing the largest infrastructure investment in our Citys history.

The budget will fund work to advance two critical new fire stations one in Skyline Hills and one in City Heights as well as more than $11 million to upgrade several City facilities with repairs to roofs, elevators and HVAC systems.

The budget includes funding for improvements to neighborhood parks, including the construction of sports court project at Mountain View Park a need identified nearly a decade ago as well as improvements to neighborhood parks in Mount Hope, San Ysidro, University City, Clairemont Mesa, Point Loma, North Park, South Park and Egger Highlands.

This community has waited a long time for a mayor who hears the communitys voice on investing in spaces and services that make our neighborhood whole," said Mountain View community member Gabriel Yslas, more commonly known as Mr. G. "We're grateful to see this progress and hope to see much more of this kind of attention to our community in the future."

The City Council has completed its review of each departments budget and will hold an evening hearing for members of the public to weigh in on Monday at 6 p.m.

On May 19, the Mayor will release his May revise that incorporates City Council and public input as well as updated revenue projections. Final City Council hearings will take place in mid-June and an adopted budget in place by June 30.

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