By Marilyn Reed, President AGCC

(Mission Times Courier, San Diego, CA) - The upcoming July 27th Allied Gardens Community Council (AGCC) Town Hall Meeting will feature Dan Monroe, Grantville Master Plan Project Manager for the City of San Diego. Assemblyman Marty Block was scheduled, but issues regarding California's budget crisis forced him to reschedule for our September meeting.

Dan Monroe graciously accepted our invitation to speak in July on the progress of the Grantville Redevelopment Project and the issues that are currently confronting the process. Issues such as access to park space for future or present residents, the various scenarios for growth and development, traffic and parking needs, and proposed building heights within tentative redevelopment projects will be discussed. The meeting will be held at the Ascension Lutheran Church, 5106 Zion Avenue at 7:00 p.m.

Besides holding Town Hall Meetings, AGCC has been involved for many years in maintaining the Jacaranda Bowl which is located at the base of Waring Road near I-8. Maintenance of this area has required help from the community, for which AGCC is greatly appreciative. Assistance has been generously given by Don Teemsma Jr. of Ideal Plumbing, Boy and Girl Scouts, and churches in the area. These are just a few of the individuals and groups that have been involved with us over the years caring for this gateway to our community.

Now, the City has once again joined this list. I would like to thank Chris Pearson, with Councilmember Marti Emerald's office, for helping me contact Steve Lucas, Dept. of Parks and Recreation. Mr. Lucas has been a tremendous help. The cost of preventing the Bowl from being over run with weeds has been an expense that the AGCC Board has struggled to meet. Mr. Lucas has arranged for spraying and clearing of weeds as necessary. The Bowl is lined with Jacaranda trees which are now laden with beautiful lavender blossoms. These trees are a welcoming sight when entering our community, and with help we’ll be able to keep it just that way.