The Downtown San Diego Partnership has officially endorsed Mayor Faulconer’s proposed November ballot initiative, which aims to provide a contiguous expansion of the San Diego Convention Center, increase funding for homeless services and repair roads. The measure has received support from tourism and lodging leaders and will protect San Diego’s tourism economy and its jobs.
Kris Michell, President and CEO of the Downtown Partnership, stated that expanding the convention center and investing in crucial services is common sense and good for the local economy. Michell emphasized that the plan will keep San Diego as a world-class destination by maintaining the infrastructure and providing resources to the most vulnerable.
Craig Benedetto, Chairman of the Downtown Partnership Board of Directors, said that a contiguous expansion of the convention center is long overdue, as it generated more than one billion dollars in regional economic impact last year. Undeniably, it is harmful to San Diego and taxpayers not to invest in this project.
Furthermore, Sumeet Parekh, a downtown property owner and Chairman of the Downtown Partnership Clean & Safe Board of Directors, said that securing funding for homelessness is critical. Recent data released by the Regional Task Force on the Homeless shows that homelessness has increased by 27% in Downtown. Therefore, investing in adequate resources to address this issue will be a positive step.
In conclusion, this proposition will maintain San Diego’s infrastructure and joint efforts to care for the city's most vulnerable. The ballot measure needs to be passed to modernize the existing facility and retain existing conventions. The measure will maintain San Diego’s status as an innovative and attractive destination worldwide.
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