It looks like 2026 may be shaping up to be a critical year for San Diego with lots of issues confronting our city’s leaders and the list seems to be growing.
The start of paid parking in Balboa Park is a sign of just the beginnings of what this year could be like at City Hall. Not only will the parking in the park remain contentious, but the increase in parking fees downtown and additional parking fees elsewhere possible also are facing pushback.
And then there is the problem of infrastructure. Just ask some of the businesses and home owners who had to deal with some flooding again during the recent rain storms during the holidays, some complaining that much needs to be done.
And there are also concerns about the continued shortage of police officers in San Diego.
And the news this week that San Diego ended 2025 with the second highest inflation rate in the U.S. and while the price of homes has slowed a bit in recent months, the affordability of buying or renting is still out of the reach of many.
Not surprisingly, there has already been talk of local governments wanting to ask for sales tax hikes that are likely to face opposition again.
There are no easy answers, but we have to find them if we want to be America’s finest city.
(Photo c.e. albert)