1999 Best Practices
Success Stories

Program Name:	Vista Township Neighborhood Revitalization
Program Focus:	Empowerment
Geographic Area:	Pacific/Hawaii

State:	California
City:	San Diego

Executive Summary
Scarce funding and apathetic residents often impede cities struggling to rejuvenate low-income urban areas. The city of San Diego faced this problem in the economically depressed township of Vista, CA.

The Vista Townsite Area Partnership (VTAP) combined the resources of the city of San Diego and HUD to create a long-term plan for accelerating economic development in the township and providing the social services its residents would require to ensure the long-term success of the project. The VTAP plans to redevelop 33 acres of land in the township, creating 760 new jobs for its residents to help foster economic development. A movie theater, bookstore and other retail stores are planned. Social services, such as an employment center, are a key element of the urban renewal strategy.

The city’s strong partnership with HUD enabled a Section 108 loan to be used to acquire the necessary property for redevelopment. HUD’s "Raise the Roof" program attracted over 800 volunteers into the area to complete construction of 22 houses for low-income residents. The city’s Community Development Block Grant provided funds for capacity building for the Community Development Commission (CDC) and also helped to establish the area employment center. Partnerships with nonprofit organizations, private businesses, and local banks also contributed significant funding to the project.

This project has had an amazing impact on this low-income, high-poverty area. Since VTAP’s creation, the crime rate in Vista has dropped below the citywide average. Close relationships with local media have also helped to inform residents and publicize the changes underway in the community. These relationships have been responsible in part for the more than $1 million revenue that the city has been able to attract to the area, enhancing social and employment services and creating a successful, cohesive community. The development of the CDC has created a strong partnership with the local sheriff, enhancing positive communications between the community and the sheriff’s office.

The Vista revitalization project has not been without its challenges. In addition to efforts to secure the necessary funding, project planners also had to struggle to ensure community involvement. Residents were unsure if the community meetings would address their concerns. To remedy this situation, Lynn Brown and her team surveyed 440 neighborhood households about their concerns during the revitalization process and made these concerns the focus of the neighborhood meetings. The goal of these meetings, Louis Torres stated, was to "build trust with neighbors and a sense of security." Because their concerns were being addressed, residents gradually became more vested in the revitalization process and became regular attendees at community meetings.

Partners: Nonprofit organizations, private businesses, and local banks.

Financing: HUD Neighborhood Revitalization Program, CDBG, and Section 108 funds as well as support from local banks.

Point of Contact: Lynn Brown, Phone: (760) 726-1340