First Business Forum was a Great Success!

As the city of San Diego is preparing to rewrite the neighborhood plan for the Uptown area, the Hillcrest Business Improvement Association is also putting together their ideas for Hillcrest’s future through a series of workshops titled “Hillcrest 2.0.”

The first of these workshops occurred on Wednesday, November 18^th where over forty-five people filled the private dining room of Bombay Restaurant in Hillcrest.  The majority of the attendees were business owners, many of whom mentioned it was their first time participating in a Hillcrest Business Association event.

The evening began with an interactive activity where people worked in groups to select pictures that represented what the group collectively agreed are the types of things they want to see in Hillcrest.  Some of these items included relaxing, café-style outdoor dining, fountains as public art pieces incorporated into the neighborhood, and improving Hillcrest as a mixed-use community that is walkable with a friendly and welcoming feel.

UCSD Professor Dr. Mirle Bussell gave a presentation on the economic revitalization of Hillcrest.  The presentation looked at the progression of demographics that Hillcrest has embodied in the past, and compared the varying styles of architecture that can be seen through the years of building and re-building. 

Dr. Bussell used statistics on Hillcrest demographics to set up the groundwork for discussions on  economic revitalization through implementing a “brand” for the neighborhood.

The Hillcrest Business Association will be hosting more workshops in the future to learn more about urban planning from experts and to continue brainstorming and compiling ideas for the future of Hillcrest.  If you would like to attend the next workshop, please contact Benjamin Nicholls at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 619-299-3330.  .