Established in 1996, The Little Italy Association (LIA) was formed to expedite the revitalization and beautification of one of the oldest, and most remarkable neighborhoods of downtown San Diego, Little Italy. Residents, businesses and property owners all work harmoniously with LIA.
This district management corporation has approximately 26 board members who are comprised of natives, restaurant owners and residents of Little Italy. Steve Galasso, the organization’s current president has been in office since its inception.
“I’ve been the LIA President since ’96, and have seen all the changes,” says Steve, who has also been in business at Caffe Italia. When asked about whether or not the changes have been good or bad, he remarked, “I’ve been in business for 20 years, so they must have been good.”
One of the unique features of San Diego’s LIA is that, according to Marco Li Mandri, Chief Administrator, “It is the only growing Italian Association in the country.” Li Mandri further stated that the organization’s more than $200 million in assets is used to build public relations. The annual revenue comes from funds of four different sources; the Little Italy Maintenance Assessment District (MAD), the Little Italy Business Improvement District (BID), the Little Italy Parking District, and various other programs. These include parcels and businesses within the 48-square block area of the North-West part of downtown San Diego.
Upcoming events for Little Italy include the Little Italy Festa, Sunday October 12, 2014 from 10:00am to 6:00pm. “It is the largest, single day [event] in the country,” according to Li Mandri. “It is attended by over 100,000 people,” he added. This festival has its origins stemming from the first festival when this Little Italy community opened its streets to San Diego Residents and welcomed people from all over the world.
This year’s festa will include Italian favorites: a Bocce ball tournament, Filippi’s Restaurant Pizza Tossing Contest and the traditional Stickball Exhibition Game. Restaurants in Little Italy will open their doors, or set up tables in front to offer wine, music and food to visitors of the day’s activities.
Little Italy is kept clean and attractive due to the services of maintenance workers and management staff who oversee regular sidewalk sweeping, installation and maintenance of trees and landscaping in the public right-of-way, evening maintenance workers, maintenance of public areas and piazzas, hanging of banners and decorations, and all beautification efforts.
Approximately $116,000 generated in FY13 provide for administration needed to promote and publicize the business district, coordinate community events and advocate on behalf of businesses.
The Little Italy Parking District generated approximately $366,000 in FY13 used to create parking solutions for the Little Italy District via a community-wide valet program, 2-hours free parking on Saturdays, collaborating with the City of San Diego to maximize surface street parking by restriping streets from parallel to diagonal or perpendicular, and other parking management programs.
An additional $694,000 in revenues were generated in FY13 from grants, income from special events, the Little Italy Mercato (Farmers’ Market), and contributions from the community supporters. This market is held on Date Street and comes alive on Saturdays from 8:00am to 2:00, no matter what the weather brings. Although ostensibly offering many Italian fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices, it models itself after city markets from all over the world. Various meats, homegrown flowers and bouquets, home accessories and more can all be found at reasonable prices.
This coming Thursday, August 21st, from 6:00p,m to 9:00pm, North Little Italy (NoLi) Nights will be presenting a walkable quarterly event. Businesses, galleries and eateries will be welcoming guests and visitors to explore the city’s most creative neighborhoods, while live bands and performances will take center stage to entertain nightly visitors.
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