City of National City

Pilot Community #4

The City of National City is the second oldest jurisdiction in San Diego County.  The City is 9.2 square miles and located in the southern section of San Diego County.  The population of National City is 61,194 people. National City is a unique, culturally diverse and vibrant community that is experiencing significant revival in terms of urban development, but historically has been challenged with high rates of childhood obesity and the prevalence of chronic disease.  In fact, according to San Diego County's Department of Health & Human Services, the rates of diabetes hospitalization and mortality are 2.3 times greater in National City than the County average.  National City's median household income for city residents is 39 percent below the state median.

National City is a proud landmark, and we envision reviving and creating a more uplifting, cohesive and culturally vibrant community through beautification with art and gardens to enhance physical activity and healthy food access for the safety and well-being of all.

1. Improve walkability and pedestrian safety in/around Kimball Elementary School
   • Current Status- City of National City shared with the participants that they have funding of about $1million to make walkability improvements in the area surrounding Kimball Elementary School and that the resident leaders' recommendations would be incorporated into their current plans. The next steps for the resident leaders are to oversee implementation of the improvements.
2. Improve pedestrian safety on 'D' Avenue between 12^th & 16^th Street
   • Current Status- City of National City shared that the RLA participants' recommendations for walkability improvements were taken into consideration, and most of them were incorporated into plans for improving that immediate area. The next steps for the resident leaders are to oversee implementation of the improvements.
3. To make the northeastern corridor of National City more beautiful and welcoming with public art, walkways & community gardens
   • Current Status- City of National City and RLA participants partnered to fundraise for Joe's pocket farm and raised $150.00 that was used to pay for 3 months of water usage. RLA members have held at least 3 garden maintenance events at the pocket farm, and these events will be held regularly, to attract more community participation in the future. • City of National City informed RLA participants that they would need to contact Caltrans regarding their desires to implement a nature walk and bring public art in the northeast corridor of National City because Caltrans owns the land.  However, the City of National City has expressed its support of these efforts to make improvements to that area. RLA National City leaders are developing a proposal to get Caltrans support for public art and murals in the target area, and approvals for access to the land to make these improvements. A local artist who has done murals, freeway underpass public art and community art has presented to the group on how to do this and how to secure funding for this type of art installation in their community.  A workshop tour is scheduled to assess what it will take to create the plan for the murals in coordination with a local artist.

• Pablo Acevedo
• Amanda Cheyney
• Adela Edjan
• Angelica Macedo
• Josh Malunes
• Dyanessa Pontecorvo
• Mary Pontecorvo
• Janice Luna Reynoso
• Vanessa Vargas
• Connie Vickers

Current Status of Graduates:

The Resident Leadership Academy in National City has convened six coordination meetings after the RLA training was completed in November 2011.  With regard to implementing their CIPs, the group has accomplished the following: (1) They have given several presentations to various groups regarding their efforts (e.g. Granger School Parent Group, National City - City Staff, Kimball Elementary School Parents and Principal). (2) Conducted successful fundraising efforts in collaboration with the City of National City to support their campaigns. (3) They have met with city officials and staff to advance their CIPs. (4) The leaders have discovered new allies, associations, and neighborhood groups to help them advance their campaigns.