Nearly 50 Hillcrest business owners and residents participated in Hillcrest 2.0, the first in a series of forums being organized to discuss the future of our neighborhood.
The Wednesday evening event with the topic of economic revitalization started with each of several tables choosing what appealed to them from photos featuring design elements, transportation and community amenities. The choices were posted and participant comments were discussed. UCSD Professor of Urban Studies Dr. Mirle Bussell shared a presentation of the history of Hillcrest and the factors that have contributed to the success of the area over the decades.
Dr. Bussell reported new Hillcrest data showing the area population at 37,300 with a median household income of $60,493 (a little less than city average). She noted an interesting fact — that our neighborhood’s population trends older than the city as a whole with 40% of the population in the 30 to 49 age bracket, compared to 28% for the San Diego average. Information gathered this evening will be used as Hillcrest gives input for the new Community Plan which will serve Uptown for the next 20-30 years.
The Hillcrest Business Association sponsored the event which was held at the lovely Bombay Restaurant. The organization plans to hold quarterly forums as the neighborhood progresses through the plan update process.
