San Diego council to ponder $5.65 billion budget prioritizing infrastructure and housing

California Construction News staff writer

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria unveiled his proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budget last week, a $5.65 billion spending plan focused on infrastructure, housing, and maintaining services.

The draft budget will be presented to city council today (Apr. 22). Following public hearings and community feedback, a revised budget will be released on May 14 for final consideration by the council.

“This proposed budget is on-time, balanced, and will continue the business of moving San Diego forward. With revenue down and costs rising, we had to make difficult choices to sustain funding for key priorities: addressing homelessness, building more housing, fixing roads, and ensuring public safety,” Gloria said.

More than $26 million is included to address homelessness, with funds to repurpose H Barracks, a city-owned former Navy property near the airport. Also, the plan includes building a 1,000-bed shelter, the largest in the city.

Measures to expedite affordable housing projects focus on building middle-income homes near transit and adding staff for expedited project reviews.

Infrastructure remains a focal point, with $104.6 million earmarked for street resurfacing and design, an investment set to increase the miles of major street resurfacing from 60 to 75 in FY 2025. Stormwater management receives a boost with $85.1 million allocated for flood control and green infrastructure projects.