Bill Text: CA ACR173 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Enrolled

California Assembly Concurrent Resolution 173 (Prior Session Legislation)

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

Bill Title: Little Saigon Cultural and Commercial District.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)

Status: (Passed) 2018-09-07 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Res. Chapter 205, Statutes of 2018. [ACR173 Detail]

Download: California-2017-ACR173-Enrolled.html

Enrolled September 04, 2018

Passed IN Senate August 24, 2018

Passed IN Assembly August 29, 2018

Amended IN Senate August 20, 2018

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2017–2018 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Concurrent Resolution

No. 173

Introduced by Assembly Member Gloria
(Coauthors: Assembly Members Gonzalez Fletcher and Weber)
(Coauthors: Senators Atkins and Hueso)

February 12, 2018

Relative to the Little Saigon Cultural and Commercial District.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

ACR 173, Gloria. Little Saigon Cultural and Commercial District.

This measure would designate specified exits on State Route 15 in the County of San Diego for reaching the cultural landmark, the “Little Saigon Cultural and Commercial District.” The measure would request the Department of Transportation to determine the cost for appropriate cultural landmark signs showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources covering that cost, to erect those signs.

Fiscal Committee: YES

WHEREAS, The fall of Saigon in 1975 led to the eventual relocation of hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese to the United States, many of whom immigrated to San Diego and the City Heights Community, and today over 55,000 Vietnamese Americans reside throughout the San Diego region; and

WHEREAS, City Heights continues to be a hub of substantial Vietnamese American cultural and commercial activity with a recognized concentration along the six-block commercial corridor of El Cajon Boulevard between Euclid and Highland Avenues, where over 70 percent of the businesses are owned by Vietnamese Americans; and

WHEREAS, In November 2008, the local business community and other community leaders established the Little Saigon Foundation of San Diego, a grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing the economy of City Heights through branding a Little Saigon cultural and commercial district along El Cajon Boulevard; and

WHEREAS, In June, 2013, the San Diego City Council approved a resolution designating the six blocks of the El Cajon Boulevard Corridor from Euclid Avenue to Highland Avenue as the “Little Saigon Cultural and Commercial District”; and

WHEREAS, The Little Saigon District promotes community revitalization, which is intrinsically tied with economic improvement, especially for the existing small businesses in the district; and

WHEREAS, The Little Saigon District serves as a center of Vietnamese art, music, food, and culture in San Diego, and by becoming a tourist destination, brings money into the community to spur commercial reinvestment; and

WHEREAS, The Little Saigon District highlights the unique cultural character of the district and attracts investment, thereby improving standards of living while decreasing violence, theft, and crime, and creates a safe space for local students to go to and from school, to eat, and to play; and

WHEREAS, The Little Saigon District follows in the footsteps of other designated cultural and business districts to create a sense of space for San Diego’s Vietnamese community; and

WHEREAS, The Little Saigon District is guided by representatives of the San Diego community of business owners, residents, local nonprofits, and government entities; and

WHEREAS, The Little Saigon District is participating in the transformation of El Cajon Boulevard into an attractive center for culture, commerce, and tourism while honoring the hard work and contributions of the members of the Vietnamese community in San Diego who have lived in the area for over four decades; and

WHEREAS, The recognition of the Little Saigon Cultural and Commercial District as a cultural destination through the placement of freeway signs will encourage the continued growth and redevelopment of this important component of the cultural diversity of the City of San Diego; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates the El Cajon Boulevard north and south exits on State Route 15, as the defined routes for reaching the cultural landmark, the “Little Saigon Cultural and Commercial District”; and be it further

Resolved, That the Department of Transportation is requested to determine the cost of the appropriate cultural landmark signs, consistent with the signing requirements of the state highway system, showing this designation, and upon receiving donations from nonstate sources sufficient to cover the cost, to erect the cultural landmark signs; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the Director of Transportation and to the author for appropriate distribution.