San Diego, CA
La Jolla Shores board questions benefits of proposed UCSD banner district
A proposal to establish a UC San Diego banner district, though pitched as a mutually beneficial project, was viewed by some La Jolla Shores Association board members last week as a one-sided and not-so-collaborative deal.
Erin Shepler, UCSD’s executive director of marketing, and Anu Delouri, senior director of local government and community relations, presented the proposal to the Shores Association on April 16.
Under the proposal, UCSD banners would be hung on light poles on streets near the university, including Genesee Avenue, Regents Road, La Jolla Village Drive, North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla Shores Drive and Torrey Pines Scenic Drive.
The plan first went before the La Jolla Traffic & Transportation Board last month before it was redirected to the Shores Association.
Former LJSA president Janie Emerson said at the T&T meeting that the proposal would more appropriately fall under LJSA’s jurisdiction because “that’s the community it’s going to impact most.”
T&T Chairman Erik Gantzel agreed, saying “It doesn’t, in my mind, impact what we are here to do,” since it doesn’t involve road or parking changes.
The project, though developed “in close partnership with the city” of San Diego, would be paid for and maintained by the university, Shepler told LJSA, and the banners would be installed at “low-impact times” to avoid disrupting traffic.
There are a total of 175 poles within the loop, but Shepler said that doesn’t mean each one will be used. Several factors would be considered, she said, including what the budget allows and which poles are obstructed or contain safety signs.
Shepler said the project is not promotional, political or for profit but instead is about “showing value to the community,” boosting local pride, creating a more welcoming environment, “establishing a sense of place” for where the UCSD campus starts and ends and showcasing the school to people just outside of it.
Emerson disputed a claim by the presenters that the banner district would not overlap with La Jolla Shores’ banner district. The area in question is on La Jolla Shores Drive adjacent to UCSD’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
Delouri said the university does not believe there is overlap but that it would remove any parts of its banner district that indeed cross over.
Shepler agreed that “it’s not a problem at all. Based on our conversations with the city, we were told that this is not a conflict, but we are happy to resolve that” if there is one.
Delouri said that because the banner district is proposed on city streets, it will require City Council action but not local action.
But, she said, council President Joe LaCava, whose District 1 includes La Jolla, “was very particular that we do bring it to the community and share with you.”
That caused some board members and others attending the meeting to question the collaborative aspect of the proposal.
“That’s not community partnership,” board member Mike McCormack said. “It’s not that I don’t support banners on La Jolla Shores Drive and their use. I support us having control over it so the university comes to us and asks us to make use of our banners.”
Others characterized the proposal as one-sided.
Emerson called the project “counterproductive” and added that “it takes people from our community and onto the campus and not into our community and our businesses.”
Board member Kathleen Neil inquired about UCSD’s maintenance of nearby trees and the poles’ light bulbs.
“Anything you can offer back in return to us becomes an incentive for us to support your request,” Neil said. “Otherwise, it feels more like taking.”
Delouri said the university will do its best but cannot take maintenance into its own hands.
Board member Ross Rudolph requested a corrected map before the board votes on the project.
“We’re not trying to be obstructive,” Emerson said. “We’re just trying to keep our community the way it needs to be, and I know you all are trying to enhance your community. So we can work together.”
Delouri and Shepler said the next step for UCSD is reconnecting with the city and confirming that there is no district overlap before the project moves forward. They said they “are happy to come back” to the Shores Association to share any adjustments and additional details.
After the meeting, Delouri told the La Jolla Light that portions of the proposed district, specifically light poles along the west side of North Torrey Pines Road and the south side of La Jolla Village Drive between Torrey Pines Road and Gilman Drive, are being reassessed to determine whether any adjustments are needed.
Other LJSA news
Swearing-in: LaCava swore in five newly elected board members during the April 16 meeting — three of them in person and two attending online.
They are Alina Mullen, Tracey Andreae, Dede Donovan, Angie Preisendorfer and Sharon Luscomb. Members Rudolph and Andi Andreae were termed out and Cindy Goodman, Brian Earley and Claudia Baranowski did not seek reelection.
John Pierce will remain president, with Mary Coakley Munk as first vice president, Karen Marshall as second vice president, Preisendorfer as secretary and Terry Kraszewski as treasurer.
Event planning: The Shores Association plans an event titled “Tides of Creativity,” highlighting local artists and authors, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 17.
LJSA received a $7,500 grant initiated by state Sen. Toni Atkins before she left office last fall and administered by the city of San Diego in partnership with the area Business Improvement District Alliance.
Pierce said LJSA is working on permits with the city and that additional information will be available soon.
Next meeting: The La Jolla Shores Association next meets at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, at the Martin Johnson House on the campus of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 8840 Biological Grade. Learn more at lajollashoresassociation.org. ♦
Originally Published:
Remarkably, the San Diego State Aztecs can still win a share of the Mountain West title despite losing four of their last five games.
SDSU (19-10, 13-6) needs to beat UNLV (16-14, 11-8) on Friday night in its home finale and then have New Mexico win at Utah State on Saturday for a three-way tie.
The Aztecs had their destiny in their hands less than a week ago, but then lost at New Mexico (13-6) on Saturday and then again at Boise State on Tuesday night, pretty much snuffing out their NCAA Tournament at-large bid chances and apparently ending their hopes at the MW title in their final season in the conference.
But then Utah State (14-5) was routed at UNLV and New Mexico lost at home to Nevada, setting up the possibility of a three-way tie. It’ll be moot, however, if the Aggies beat the Lobos, which will give them the title outright and the No. 1 seed in next week’s conference tournament in Las Vegas.
That’s life in the MW, which the Aztecs and Aggies are leaving after this season to join the new-look Pac-12, along with Boise State, Fresno State and Colorado State.
The big picture
The Aztecs were voted the unanimous preseason favorite to win the regular-season title, based on a loaded roster under coach Brian Dutcher, including the return of Miles Byrd and Magoon Gwath after pulling out of the NBA Draft, and Reese Dixon-Waters after missing last year with a foot injury.
But it’s been a rough go from almost the start, when a rough showing in the non-conference schedule put them on the bubble for an at-large NCAA Tournament berth.
They started to find themselves early in league play by running off a seven-game losing streak, but then lost consecutive games at Grand Canyon and Utah State. Their current skid includes a surprising home loss to Grand Canyon and then a startling road loss to Colorado State.
They routed Utah State at home last week before losing at New Mexico on Saturday and then being routed at Boise State on Tuesday night, when they were outrebounded 37-15.
The last three games were all Quad 1 opportunities in the NCAA NET Rankings, but going 1-2 in those games further hurt their already weak chances at an at-large tourney berth. Those rankings are used by the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee as the primary sorting tool for selection and seeding for March Madness.
Now they’ll almost certainly have to win three games in three days at the MW tournament to claim the automatic bid to reach March Madness for the sixth straight year.
Key facts
The Aztecs will be facing UNLV for the final time in the regular season, as the Runnin’ Rebels will be remaining behind in the MW.
The teams will meet for the 86th time overall, with the Aztecs leading the series 45-40. SDSU is 21-14 against the Runnin’ Rebels in San Diego and 18-8 on Steve Fisher Court.
Below is a look at how to watch UNLV at San Diego State
How to watch UNLV at San Diego State
Date: Friday, March 6
Game time: 7 p.m. PT
Where: Viejas Arena | San Diego
How to watch: CBS Sports Network
How to listen: San Diego Sports 760 (local)
On Thursday, the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in San Diego County recorded its largest increase since Sept. 28, 2023, rising 8.7 cents to $4.894, its highest amount since Nov. 13.
The average price has increased 15 consecutive days, rising 28.7 cents, including 7 cents on Wednesday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 22.4 cents more than one week ago, 38.6 cents higher than one month ago and 14.5 cents greater than one year ago.
The average price has dropped $1.541 since rising to a record $6.435 on Oct. 5, 2022.
“Gas prices are rising primarily due to a recent surge in crude oil following strikes on Iran by the U.S. and Israel,” Kandace Redd, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s senior public affairs specialist, told City News Service. “Any conflict with Iran can send oil prices higher, as Iran is a major oil producer and about a fifth of the oil consumed globally travels through the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman.
“Gas prices are increasing because of seasonal factors too. Refineries are beginning the switch to more expensive summer-blend fuel, and demand is picking up as we head into the spring break season with more people on the road.”
The national average price rose 5.3 cents to $3.251, its highest amount since Sept. 11, 2024. It has risen five consecutive days, increasing 26.9 cents, including 8.9 cents on Wednesday.
The national average price is 26.8 cents more than one week ago, 36 cents higher than one month ago and 14.4 cents greater than one year ago. It has dropped $1.765 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.
UNLV Rebels (16-14, 11-8 MWC) at San Diego State Aztecs (19-10, 13-6 MWC)
San Diego; Friday, 10 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: UNLV faces San Diego State after Kimani Hamilton scored 24 points in UNLV’s 92-65 victory over the Utah State Aggies.
The Aztecs have gone 13-2 in home games. San Diego State is eighth in the MWC with 9.0 offensive rebounds per game led by Miles Heide averaging 2.0.
The Rebels have gone 11-8 against MWC opponents. UNLV ranks eighth in the MWC shooting 34.4% from 3-point range.
San Diego State averages 79.1 points per game, 0.6 more points than the 78.5 UNLV gives up. UNLV averages 7.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.9 fewer made shots on average than the 9.1 per game San Diego State allows.
The teams play for the second time in conference play this season. San Diego State won the last meeting 82-71 on Jan. 24. Miles Byrd scored 23 points points to help lead the Aztecs to the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Reese Dixon-Waters is shooting 35.9% from beyond the arc with 1.6 made 3-pointers per game for the Aztecs, while averaging 13 points. Byrd is averaging 10.2 points and 5.1 rebounds over the past 10 games.
Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn is shooting 50.9% and averaging 20.6 points for the Rebels. Hamilton is averaging 1.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Aztecs: 5-5, averaging 74.9 points, 28.9 rebounds, 13.7 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.0 points per game.
Rebels: 6-4, averaging 84.1 points, 32.3 rebounds, 14.7 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 50.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 80.8 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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