CHULA VISTA, Calif. — Chula Vista is reaching out to its residents and business owners for input on shaping the city's future.
This initiative aims to create a five-year strategic plan to guide the city's direction through 2030 and beyond.
Mayor John McCann emphasized the importance of understanding the community's vision.
"The city works for the people of Chula Vista," McCann told CBS 8. "We want to understand what are the next projects that our community wants."
The city is organizing a series of public meetings over the coming days, including a virtual option and an in-person session specifically for small business owners.
Several developments are already on the horizon for Chula Vista, including a new four-story library, as well as the opening of the Gaylord Pacific on the city's Bayfront in May, which is expected to create 3,000 new jobs
McCann sees this development project as transformative.
"It's really going to transform our older communities because we are going to see a lot of that revenue to be able to upgrade the infrastructure," he said.
Residents also have their own ideas for the city's future.
Joanna Heath suggested expanding the city's entertainment district.
"Third Avenue is starting to flourish with different restaurants and breweries and I think expanding that and making it a draw to people would be a great thing to do," she said.
Jeremiah Heath proposed a sports complex for young people, or perhaps expanding the existing Elite Athlete Training Center in Eastlake.
"Make it a huge sports complex," he suggested. "What's better than investing in the youth of Chula Vista and youth of Southern California. Make it the most competitive, best kind of facility in Southern California to include volleyball, basketball, soccer, football, all of it. Let's go!"
Chula Vista resident Vikki Opeodu highlighted the need for affordable housing and better employment opportunities to prevent 'brain drain,' "where kids are leaving us because they can't afford to live here," she said. "But there's opportunities created so that they can return home to the communities that they grew up in and they can continue to impact the community for good," she said.