Plus, Barrio Loganites Seek Crosswalk, Barrio Art Crawl Returns, Barrio Seed Bank Opens, Chicano Park Day Fundraiser y Más!
By Brent E. Beltrán
With all of the talk around town about the Chargers and their demands for a new stadium something has been overlooked: Barrio Logan. If the city acquiesces to the demands of the Chargers (which they have done in the past) and gives them a brand new stadium in the East Village what happens to the community that sits just south of there?
The impact on Barrio Logan residents would be tremendous… in a bad way.
For the most part the residents of Barrio Logan are renters. A new stadium so close to a community of renters would raise property values up to the point where they could no longer rent in the community they love. Thus, forcing many longtime community members out and changing the socio-economic and cultural character of Barrio Logan.
Over the past ten years or so numerous affordable housing developments have been built in Barrio Logan (Estrella, Viento, Gateway, Entrada and the soon-to-open Comm22). These developments have helped maintain Barrio Logan’s unique character by allowing working class, mostly people of Mexican descent, the opportunity to live in San Diego’s most important and historical Mexican barrio.
If a new stadium is built within blocks of Barrio Logan developments like those listed above will become a thing of the past as market rate developers would more than likely swoop in and build condos for upper middle class and more affluent families. Pushing out the mostly Mexican residents. This sort of economic ethnic cleansing must not be allowed. The future and cultural character of Barrio Logan is at stake.
There are whispers from residents, as well as artists and activists in solidarity with the Barrio Logan community, about the possibility of a stadium being built and what the response should be. Some, like myself, are ready to fight any possibility of a new stadium in the East Village. We must. Barrio Logan’s existence is at stake.
Stop Sign and Crosswalk Needed Near Chicano Park
Residents of Barrio Logan and members of the Chicano Park Steering Committee are demanding a stop sign and crosswalk be placed on Logan Ave in Chicano Park where vehicles enter the I-5 South freeway.
After shipyard workers get off work dozens upon dozens of cars enter the freeway from Logan Ave. preventing pedestrians from safely crossing. Little old ladies and children have had to wait on the curb as car after car fails to stop to let them cross. Something needs to be done and if the city doesn’t take action then us residents will.
An idea I plan on floating around is the creation of a Barrio Crossing Guard unit to stand at the intersection and help people cross the street. If the city won’t put a stop sign and crosswalk then we’ll do what we must to protect fellow residents and pedestrians. Hopefully, the city, with the help of Councilman David Alvarez, will do something before we have to.
The Return of Barrio Art Crawl
Barrio Art Crawl returns this Saturday, February 28 from 5-10pm throughout Barrio Logan’s art district. BAC is a self-guided tour of Barrio Logan’s numerous art spaces. Barrio Art Crawl will take place quarterly this year with future dates already set: February 28, April 25, June 27 and October 31. Those spaces participating in Saturday’s BAC include Chicano Park, Bread & Salt, The Roots Factory, Chicano Art Gallery, Border X Brewing, The Glashaus, HP Punto Experimental, Stronghold, Low Gallery, and others.
Barrio Seed Bank Official Launch Party
This Saturday, as part of Barrio Art Crawl, The Roots Factory is hosting the official launch party for the Barrio Seed Bank. From SD CityBeat:
A grassroots group in Barrio Logan has been stocking up on hundreds of jalapeño, carrot and other organic seeds. Folks from the recently formed Barrio Seed Bank will introduce their project to the community and discuss plans for starting a community garden, farmers market and other ways to provide healthy, fresh, locally grown food to their neighbors. From 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at Bread & Salt (1955 Julian Ave. in Logan Heights), the Seed Bank will celebrate its launch with plant and seedling exhibits, a seed-bomb-making workshop hosted by the School of Guerilla Arts, live screenprinting by The Roots Factory, a children’s workshop and more. Free seeds will be given out from 2 to 6 p.m.; music by Radio Pulso Del Barrio will follow.
Chicano Park Day Fundraiser
There will be a concert fundraiser this Sunday, March 1 from 12-4pm to raise money for the upcoming 45th anniversary celebration of Chicano Park Day. The event will cost $20 and takes place at Bread & Salt (1955 Julian Ave.) in Logan Heights. The musical lineup includes Chocolate Revolution, Bill Caballero and Company, Mariachi Familiar, Veracruz Blues and La Rondalla Amerindia con Pepe Villarino y Chunky Sanchez.
Feminist Lecture Series at Mesa College
The Fourth Annual Gracia Molina de Pick Feminist Lecture Series takes place on Monday, March 2 from 11:10am-12:35pm in room H-117/118 on the campus of Mesa College. The series will feature a book reading by author and SDSD associate professor Irene Lara, Ph.D. She will be reading from her book Fleshing the Spirit: Spirituality and Activism in Chicana, Latina, and Indigenous Women’s Lives. In addition to Dr. Lara, Mira Costa College professor Maria Figueroa will be reading her selection from the same book. This event is free and open to the public. Copies of the book will be available for sale and signing.
Noche de Atole Fundraiser
The annual Noche de Atole con Izcalli scholarship fundraiser takes place on Tuesday, March 3 starting at 6:30pm. The $25 buffet event will take place at Ranas Mexican Cuisine (9683 Campo Rd. Ste. In Spring Valley) and will feature live music by Chunky Sanchez, Jorge Narvaez as well as son jarocho music. Funds raised go towards a scholarship fund for AB540 students. For more information contact Joe Lara (619) 988-0675 or visit.
Brent E. Beltrán
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I am a Charger fan but I am a fan of my mom first. She is a long time Logan Heights resident because this is the only community we have been able to afford to live in San Diego. Logan is our home. She rents a small apartment but at a great price and along neighbors she has known for years (they are more like family). I am also willing to do whatever it takes to stop the Chargers from building this stadium in East Village. Also, I can’t imagine what will happen to all the homeless people around the area. It will just be a disaster for everyone.