VISTA — Vista leaders in government, business, utilities and transportation gathered on Monday to celebrate accomplishments from 2024 and give updates regarding upcoming priorities for the coming year.
Held at the Vista Civic Center, the State of the Community event touched on the city’s achievements in affordable housing, infrastructure, business, public safety, and homelessness response, with the latter being a major focus of the city in recent years.
“We are a city on the rise. We are a city with a great deal to be proud of,” said Mayor John Franklin.
The city highlighted the ongoing work of the low-barrier Buena Creek Navigation Center, which has served over 100 individuals since it opened last year in Vista. The non-congregate shelter offers 24 rooms open to residents of Vista and Encinitas, as well as case management and other services.
In a recent update to the City Council regarding the city’s Strategic Plan to End Homelessness, city staff said that between April 1 and October 31, 35 of around 100 clients who left BCNC exited to permanent supportive housing. Another 12 exited to temporary housing, and 13 into an institutional situation.
During that same period, 36 people exited the program back to unsheltered homelessness either due to program violations or leaving at their discretion, city staff said. Those who went into permanent supportive housing stayed an average of 64 days at the shelter.
“The Buena Creek Navigation Center continues to be a cornerstone of the city of Vista’s efforts to address homelessness,” Franklin said. “Today, it’s a place that 48 residents call home.”
Vista also made strides in affordable housing in 2024, completing the Santa Fe Senior Village project in October. The permanent supportive housing project, led by National CORE, will provide 52 units for residents ages 62 and older who make no more than 40% of the area median income, including two units specifically for unhoused veterans.
Franklin said that Santa Fe Senior Village is expected to be fully leased next week.
Another permanent supportive housing project is in the works for a piece of surplus land at 902 Vista Village Drive, to which the city committed $2 million in funding last summer. The project proposes 56 permanent supportive housing units (all studios) for those making 60% or less of the area median income (AMI), with half of the units set aside for those making 30% or less and 10% reserved for veterans.
Another affordable housing project along an adjacent piece of surplus land on Palm Drive is planned to come before the City Council this year.
The North County Transit District also provided updates regarding transportation in Vista. CEO Shawn Donaghy said ridership on Vista’s top routes saw double-digit increases this past year, with many residents continuing to rely on the Sprinter.
Looking ahead, Donaghy said NCTD eagerly anticipates the redevelopment of the Vista Civic Center Sprinter Station, one of three Sprinter stations in the city, with plans to build 131 apartments and 2,000 square feet of retail space.
NCTD’s board of directors approved an exclusive negotiating agreement with Tideline Partners for the project in December.
“There’s a lot of good opportunities at that location, and we’re excited for what that could mean for us,” Donaghy said.
In public safety, the city also gained seven new emergency vehicles for the Vista Fire Department this past year, including six fire engines and a paramedic ambulance.
Vista Fire Chief Gerard Washington said he appreciates the collaboration of city leaders in ensuring the department has the tools it needs to protect the community, especially in light of recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area.
“To get the support of engines, protective equipment, breathing apparatus, that’s in order for us to deliver the best service not only here in the north zone, but in the state and the country,” Washington said. “We need to make sure what happened up north doesn’t happen here.”
He added that the fire department continues to focus on being prepared for all kinds of incidents, including natural and manmade disasters, medical emergencies, rescue in low- and high-angle terrain, and water rescues.
In addition, Washington said that Vista Fire is working with the Vista Unified School District to connect students to career opportunities and continue building its cadet and EMT programs.
Regarding business, Vista saw the addition of significant new companies in recent months, including Trader Joe’s at North County Square and home goods/gift store Daiso at Pavilion Shopping Center.
Vista Chamber of Commerce CEO Rachel Beld said the chamber continues to focus on supporting local businesses, growing workforce and internship programs in collaboration with local educational institutions, and organizing events to celebrate the city’s diversity.
Beld highlighted the inaugural Fiestas Patrias event in September that the Latino Business Outreach Committee spearheaded. The event was a great success, Beld said, and the chamber plans to grow the committee in the coming year.
“As we step into the new year, the Vista Chamber of Commerce is more energized than ever to continue supporting our members in the community,“ Beld said. “The chamber will expand its advocacy efforts, helping our businesses navigate challenges such as rising costs and workforce shortages, while providing resources to help them thrive.”
