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North Park Main Street Annual Report 2005-2006 |
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A letter from the President This last year has been one of the most difficult years in recent memory for North Park Main Street. Since the retirement of Jay Turner our organization has been beset with financial and staffing problems that have affected our ability to carry out our mission: “To promote development that supports arts, culture, and entertainment, while preserving the historical integrity of North Park. To create a pedestrian-friendly destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment that supports our local businesses.” Since July 2005 North Park Main Street has had four different Executive Directors. This is not an acceptable position for our organization . In order for North Park Main Street to continue the exceptional work it has done in the past it is imperative that we hire a permanent Executive Director. It is also important that we return our office to the level of service that it had prior to fiscal year 2005-2006. The hiring of an Assistant Director is also extremely important to the operations of the program. The finances of North Park Main Street have also been a major concern. With the establishment of the new strong mayor form of government we saw a primary source of our funding slashed. In addition, it was uncertain that this source of funding would continue beyond December 2006. We now have assurances from the City of San Diego that funding will continue so that we can afford a new, permanent Executive Director. These funds will only be temporary, and I cannot stress enough the need to develop a funding source that is reliable, and permanent. North Park Main Street is currently working with the City to create a PBID for North Park that would solve these income problems. This past year had its good moments too. The Spring Festival was transformed in its tenth year into the North Park Festival of the Arts. The North Park Theatre, which sat vacant for twenty years, was reopened by Lyric Opera San Diego. The opening night was one of the most spectacular nights in the recent history of the neighborhood. The new parking garage was opened. This new mixed-use building will not only provide the neighborhood with parking but also houses a clothing store, a charter school, a costume shop, and a real estate office. Many new businesses opened their doors this year. Heaven Sent Desserts, Hawthorns, Kate Ross, the Rubber Rose, Mesh, and Dino’s all show that North Park is a great place to live, shop, and do business. Despite the hardships faced by our organization North Park is still on the rise. The most important element of our success is a strong Board of Directors. We, the Board of Directors of North Park Main Street must participate in the decisions and contribute to our committees: Design, Economic Restructuring, Organization, and Promotion. It is important to acknowledge that this is our organization, and that we need to decide what North Park Main Street is going to mean to us, and to the community in the years to come. Last year was certainly a year of transition for North Park Main Street, and it’s easy to dwell on our challenges and failures. But although I feel that it is important to recognize our mistakes, we also need to celebrate the successes of the program, and our strong community. North Park Main Street has been an essential part of North Park for the last decade, let’s work together to keep it growing. Patrick Edwards President |
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July · Published the Summer 2005 issue of The North Park Way. · Assisted in the installation of bicycle racks in Downtown North park. · Changed the name of the North Park Thursday Night Market to the North park Farmers Market. · Awarded $2500 by the County of San Diego for the North Park Spring Festival. · Received 72 trees for planting in North Park. August · Selected Jeannie Paddison Tidy was as the new Executive Director of North Park Main Street. · Installed new street signs in the shape of the North Park sign were along Lincoln, University, and North Park Way. · Reviewed and accepted the new Streetscape Manual created by intern Mishauno Woggon. · Met with economic development experts in her first Economic Restructuring Committee meeting. · Held the annual Spring Festival retreat to begin planning for the 2006 Spring Festival. September · Conducted the annual election of the North Park Main Street Board of Directors. · Hired The Border Agency to be event coordinators for the 2006 North Park Spring Festival. · Presented Jay Turner with a certificate of appreciation from the National Main Street Program. · Published the Fall 2005 issue of The North Park Way. October · Held the Annual meeting at which the annual report and annual audit were distributed. · Seated the newly elected Board of Directors. · Met with the Groth Family to discuss future development ideas for their property. · Provided aid and support to Lochlan Oliver’s plans to locate a major desert restaurant in North Park. · Received a 2 million dollar grant from SANDAG for the University Avenue Mobility Plan. · Promoted the opening of the North Park Theater. November · Investigated North Park becoming a National Registry Historic District · Held a highly successful workshop for merchants at the ER Committee meeting. · Worked on the new juried artist application, vendor application, and press release announcing the arts poster contest for the North Park Festival of the Arts. · Terminated the employment of Robert Powell as Assistant Director. December · Marched in the Toyland Parade as farmers, in order to promote the North Park Farmers Market. · Changed the name of the North Park Spring Festival to the North Park Festival of the Arts. · Held a meeting on the commercial impact of sidewalk construction during La Boheme’s. · Participated in the unveiling of the new murals on the corner of 31st Street and University Avenue. · Held the annual Holiday Party. · Published the December issue of The North Park Way. January · Hired Jennifer Crawford as Executive Assistant. · Applied for Community Block Development Grants. · Applied Successfully to close Ray Street for the monthly Ray at Night art walk. February · Attended the ribbon cutting for the new Parking Facility. · Focused on new economic restructuring activities, including window display improvements and merchant assistance workshops. · Published the February issue of the North Park Way. March · Applied for TOT Grants to assist in funding the Festival of the Arts. · Began work on the new North Park Business Map. · Selected a collaborative design by Jimmy Long and Tony Bejarano as the winner of the Festival of the Arts poster contest. · Attended a Business Development Workshop. · Took a walking tour of the district to determine who will qualify for the Window Display Improvement Project. · Published the March issue of the North Park Way. · Accepted the Resignation of Jeannie Tidy as Executive Director. April · Attended a community wide town hall meeting at the North Park Theater. · Attended the ribbon cutting of Heaven Sent Desserts. · Worked on creating new resident welcome packets. · Nominated Claire de Lune as Business of the Year. · Decided on seeded agregate sidewalks as the new project on between 28th and Granada on the south side of University. · Published the April issue of the North Park Way. May · Installed North Park Festival of the Arts Banners. · Awarded $50,000 in CDBG funds to go toward pedestrian improvements. · Received approval from the city to use seeded aggregate on the sidewalk between 28th and Granada. · Held the annual North Park Festival of the Arts. · Attended training for BIDs on PROW regulations. June · Published the June issue of the North Park Way. · Selected Jennifer Crawford as Executive Director. · Continued work on the gift basket project for new residents. · Appointed Jordana Beebe, Josh Boen and Kate Ross to the North Park Main Street Board of Directors. · Selected John Zarling to represent North Park Main Street on the Redevelopment Project Area Committee. |
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2005-2006 Board of Directors Patrick Edwards, President Antique Refinishers Larry Stein, Vice-President Warp-9 Imaging Greg Hurst, Secretary Caffe Forte Lou Palestini, Treasurer San Diego National Bank Jordana Beebe Associate Member Josh Boen 5-Star Parking Debra Cooper Washington Mutual Allisun Hollies Associate Member John Stewart McGaughy Associate Member Kate Ross Kate Ross Clothing Dr. Gregory Scott Bacchus House Hal Thomas Thomas Realtors John Zarling 1st Dragon/Private Collector
Committee Chairs John Stewart McGaughy and Sasha Hopstock Design
Andy Hamilton Economic Restructuring
Daniel Bess Spring Festival
Staff Jude Thomas, Interim Executive Director Melinda K. Pederson, Executive Assistant
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