Justice for Barrio Logan
Published: Wednesday, May 7, 2008 8:10 PM PDT
The community of Barrio Logan has been a poster child for injustice of all kinds throughout its history, but has never faced a moment like the present. A convergence of critical events could result in a future model of social and environmental justice, or could change Barrio Logan into a community unrecognizable and unlivable to its displaced former residents.
What’s happening in Barrio Logan?
The Community Plan Update: In the absence of city action, Environmental Health Coalition’s Barrio Logan Community Action Team developed the Barrio Logan Vision through a grassroots community-driven planning process that included residents, businesses and community organizations. Now the community plan update -- the first under the city’s new General Plan -- has finally commenced. Will the city adopt the community’s vision? Or will it allow special interests to dominate or undermine the planning process, leaving the future up to the developers longing to replace the current neighborhood and make big bucks at the expense of current residents?
The Mercado Project: Long on the list of injustices visited upon the neighborhood, the Mercado Project always promised to be Barrio Logan’s signature revitalization project. Will the city be successful in choosing a new developer and building a project that brings affordable housing and small business opportunities as EHC and the Barrio Logan Vision demand? Or will the pursuit of profits win out?
The Port: The Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal and port tenants on the working waterfront are both a source of Barrio Logan’s unjust burden of air pollution and living wage jobs. EHC convinced the port to develop a Clean Air Plan to reduce emissions, but will it ever be given the teeth it needs to take a major bite out of diesel pollution in the neighborhood? Or will big development interests redevelop the terminal into an extension of the downtown waterfront, paving the way for full scale gentrification and displacement?
Proposition 98: Will a state proposition, in the guise of eminent domain reform, effectively gut our right to community planning, local environmental initiatives and affordable housing policies? EHC opposes Prop 98. Will voters agree, or will these local efforts in Barrio Logan be in vain?
EHC has worked directly with residents through community organizing, advocacy and leadership development for over two decades and will be fighting to ensure that the long overdue light of justice finally shines on Barrio Logan as it sits at this amazing crossroads. What do you think the future holds for Barrio Logan?
-- LAURA BENSON
Reader Feedback
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Comments so far on this story: 1. Mister Zhou wrote on May 8, 2008 7:10 AM:
"What's your take on the Yes on Prop 98 ad with two young children talking about how the state wants to take away their home and church in order to build a mall? How can groups like EHC counter this type of manipulative (but possibly effective) message?" 2. Lee Wilson wrote on May 8, 2008 10:40 AM:
"When are the citizens of San Diego come to the realization that there is a set of Developers who do not care about our community? They are driven by greed and have no regard for truth and veracity. It is time to protect the Barrio Logan from outsiders who only care about quick mega profits and have no concern for the people and their way of life. It is time to call them on their lies!" 3. Jack M. wrote on May 8, 2008 4:39 PM:
"You ask whether developers will redevelop the terminal into an extension of the downtown waterfront, paving the way for full scale gentrification and displacement? Only if the voters allow it. An organization known as San Diego Community Solutions (although, certainlyh not the Barrio community) will put an initiative on the November ballot to force the redevelopment of Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal. The initiative asks voters to choose hotels and restaurants over warehouses and cranes...tourism over maritime. The initiative is a veiled attempt to eliminate one of only two maritime facilities in the Port and replace it with more hotels and shopping. Not so fast. Voters have more sense than this initiative gives them credit for." 4. Christine wrote on May 15, 2008 4:17 PM:
"Barrio Logan--get out the vote!!!: Look at which candidates are being supported by developers. I think you guys are in Falconers district---I may be wrong. He is for sure the developers dream candidate. So is Jerry Sanders and Jan Goldsmith for city attorney. So vote vote vote! You have the power but for the love of God, if we want to do anything we have to keep Aguirre."
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