Logan Heights nonprofit could lose city contract after complaints

Logan Heights owners pay an additional property tax to fund regular sidewalk sweeping, garbage collection, tree pruning and graffiti removal. For nearly a year, however, some homeowners complained that the nonprofit that runs maintenance services in the area did a bad job.

Now, the City of San Diego is considering continuing to allow the Central Commercial District Revitalization Corporation to manage the tax district.

A June 2 letter from the city’s economic development department to the non-profit company listed some contract requirements that the city identified as “below performance standard or by default.”

The letter said the association did not respond to complaints from landowners and did not hold a number of public meetings in 2020. The city also said the association did not release financial documents. available to the public at meetings or on its website.

The letter also stated that the nonprofit had spent more than it should on administration costs.

“The City is evaluating its options for this district and could elect alternative solutions to the future management of the district in order to better ensure transparency and that the interests of the owners are respected”, indicates the letter signed by Elizabeth Studebaker, deputy deputy director of the department. economy of the city. Development Department.

Last month, a group of homeowners asked the city to either revoke the contract with the Central Commercial District Revitalization Corporation or not renew the contract when it expires on June 30.

The owners complained that during the too few meetings held by the association in 2020, some members of the community felt hostility when they criticized the association.

A landlord said at a recent meeting a board member said people in the community were ‘dirty’ and suggested that the complaining landlord moved to the wrong neighborhood.

Don Shuckett, executive director of the Central Commercial District Revitalization Corporation, did not respond to requests for comment this week.

Shuckett said in May he disagreed with the complaints and believed the concerns only came from a handful of landowners in the district.

“We are doing a very good job,” he said in May. “We have long-tenured employees and we have the lowest MAD tax of any self-administered MAD in the city of San Diego. “

The Central Commercial Maintenance Assessment District is one of San Diego’s 64 maintenance districts. It covers the neighborhoods of Logan Heights, Sherman Heights, Grant Hill and Stockton.

Its boundaries include Imperial Avenue, from Interstate 5 to 32nd Street; Commercial Avenue, from Interstate 5 to 28th Street, and National Avenue, from 28th Street to 32nd Street, as well as the side streets between Imperial and Commercial avenues. The area is a mixture of industrial businesses, small storefronts and houses.

Neighborhoods are usually formed by landowners to pay for services that go beyond those provided by the city. Some also work on beautification projects and organize community events.

The city manages some maintenance districts and in some cases its economic development department contracts with non-profit organizations for management.

The city has so far never terminated a contract with a non-profit maintenance assessment district, a city spokesperson said.

“There have been cases that require a transfer of management from one organization to another, depending on the circumstances,” said Jerry McCormick, city spokesman on Tuesday.

Property owner John Mireles said it was a relief to know the town was paying attention as many neighbors felt ignored.

“To feel like you are being heard is extremely rewarding,” said Mireles. “We deserve better; Logan Heights deserves better.

The city declined to comment on its management plans for the neighborhood.

In fiscal 2020, the nonprofit received $ 259,217 in revenue and spent $ 252,271. For fiscal year 2021-2022, he is expected to receive approximately $ 273,500 and spend $ 266,106.