♪ >>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT THE BEST ORIGINAL REPORTING FROM KPBS NEWS.

I AM I TO POSEY.

COMING UP, BUILDING FOR DENSITY.

WE WILL GET A STATUS CHECK FOR A SAN DIEGO PROGRAM THAT IS ENCOURAGING THE CONSTRUCTION OF MORE HOMES NEAR TRANSIT, AND SOME OF THE PUSHBACK THAT IT IS GETTING.

AN UPGRADE FOR DOWNTOWN ESCONDIDO, THE NORTH COUNTY CITY, IS IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAKEOVER THAT AIMS TO TURN GRAND AVENUE INTO A MORE VIBRANT BUSINESS DISTRICT.

>>> INVESTING IN LOGAN HEIGHTS.

SEE HOW A NEW APPROACH TO LEARNING IS BENEFITING STUDENTS IN THIS LARGER LATINO COMMUNITY.

>>> THIS IS THE WEEK THAT MASKS BECAME OPTIONAL AT SOME OF THE FEW PUBLIC PLACES WHERE THE RULE WAS ENFORCED.

THE FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERED AND ENDED TO THE CDC ORDER FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT LIKE BUSES, TROLLEYS, AND AIRPLANES.

CAN THE AUTO MET WITH COMMUTERS AND FOUND MANY ARE KEEPING THOSE MASKS NEARBY.

>> Reporter: THE SUN IS SHINING IN OLD TOWN SAN DIEGO.

A PERFECT DAY TO RIDE THE TROLLEY.

IT'S THE DAY AFTER A FEDERAL JUDGE SCRAPPED THE MASK TRANSIT MASK MANDATE, AND WEARING A MASK ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IS NOW OPTIONAL.

FOR DAVID MORRISON, THIS MAKES NO DIFFERENCE.

>> WE ARE STILL IN A PANDEMIC.

I AM NOT GOING TO GO RIDING ON THE BUS, THE TROLLEY, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, THE AIRLINES, AND TAKE MY MASK OFF.

JUST BECAUSE EVERYBODY THINKS OH, IT IS FINE TO DO THAT.

I DO NOT TRUST IT.

>> Reporter: TO BE CLEAR, THE TROLLEY RUN BY THE MET THE METROPOLITAN TRANSIT SYSTEM REQUIRES MASKS.

THE NORTH COUNTY TRANSIT DISTRICT DOES NOT.

THIS SHOWS WHY THE FEDERAL RULING IS SURE TO CONFUSE PEOPLE.

IT ALLOWS EVERY TRANSIT SYSTEM AND AIRLINE TO MAKE THEIR OWN RULES.

JAMES REITMAN SAYS HE DOES NOT LIKE WEARING A MASK AND THINKS IT SHOULD BE A PERSONAL CHOICE.

>> PEOPLE CAN USE THEM IF THEY WANT TO.

IN OTHER COUNTRIES, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN USING THEM FOR YEARS.

I THINK THAT'S HOW IT SHOULD BE.

IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU NEED AN EXTRA LAYER OF PROTECTION, GREAT.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS PACKED, AND ALMOST BACK UP TO PRE- PANDEMIC CROWDS.

YOU CAN HEAR THE LOUDSPEAKERS ANNOUNCED CDC SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES, BUT WEARING A MASK IS OPTIONAL IN THE CONCOURSES AND TSA WILL NO LONGER REQUIRE THEM.

MOST MAJOR AIRLINES DID AWAY WITH THEIR MASK MANDATES AS SOON AS THE RULING WAS MADE.

LOOKING AROUND THE TERMINALS, IT IS A MIXED BAG.

A MAJORITY OF PEOPLE ARE NOT WEARING MASKS.

>> I'M HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO FLY WITHOUT A MASK FOR ONCE.

I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT, HAVING THE MASK OFF, TO BREATHE A LITTLE EASIER.

>> BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY.

I HAVE FAMILY, I HAVE YOUNGER KIDS WHO ARE NOT ABLE TO GET THE VACCINE AND I ALSO HAVE SOME OLDER FAMILY MEMBERS THAT I SEE.

>> WE UNDERSTAND IT IS A CONFUSING TIME FOR TRAVEL.

>> Reporter: AIRPORT SPOKESMAN SABRINA SAYS THEY DON'T REQUIRE ONE HERE, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO CALL YOUR AIRLINE AND THEIR PLACE YOU'RE VISITING.

>> THERE WILL BE DIFFERENT ROLES .

DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE AND DO SOME RESEARCH BEFORE YOU ARRIVE AT THE AIRPORT.

>> Reporter: THE CDC IS NOT HAPPY WITH THE RULING.

OFFICIALS ARE MONITORING A NEW, MORE CONTAGIOUS COVID VARIANT.

KITTY, KPBS NEWS.

>> SANDY GOES TRANSIT AGENCY ALSO DECIDED TO MAKE MASK WEARING OPTIONAL.

THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS NOW APPEALING THE JUDGE'S RULING AT THE REQUEST OF THE CDC.

>>> INNER COUNTY COMMUNITY IS WAITING TO SEE IF IT SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT WILL STAY ON THE JOB.

SHE IS GETTING A LOT OF CRITICISM OVER COMMENTS MADE ABOUT ASIAN AMERICAN FAMILIES, DURING A DIVERSITY TRAINING SESSION.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER TELLS US WHY A PUBLIC APOLOGY MIGHT NOT BE ENOUGH.

>> NON-AGENDA ITEMS.

>> Reporter: THE WEDNESDAY NIGHT BOARD MEETING OF THIS HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT WAS FILLED WITH PARENTS, FAMILY, AND FORMER STUDENTS OF ASIAN DESCENT, WHO CANNOT BELIEVE WHAT THEY HEARD THE SUPERINTENDENT SAID.

>> I WANT TO SAY, YOU HURT ME AND HURT MY FAMILY, AND ALSO DISCREDITED MY KIDS, ON WHAT THEY WORK SO HARD FOR.

>> Reporter: THE COMMENTS WERE MADE BY DR. CHERYL JAMES WARD, DURING A DISTRICT DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION TRAINING NEXT WEEK.

LAST WEEK.

SHE CHARACTERIZING CREDITED THE SUCCESS OF THE DISTRICTS CHINESE STUDENTS TO WEALTHY PARENTS AND EXTENDED ASIAN FAMILIES ABLE TO SUPPORT THEM, UNLIKE OTHER MINORITY GROUPS THAT CAN'T.

THE BACKLASH CAME QUICKLY, AS DID THE SUPERINTENDENT'S APOLOGY, WHICH SHE REPEATED AT LAST NIGHT'S BOARD MEETING.

>> I DO APOLOGIZE TO OUR ASIAN COMMUNITY.

I APOLOGIZE TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, AND I APOLOGIZE TO MY STUDENTS.

>> Reporter: DR. WARD HAS ONLY BEEN SUPERINTENDENT SINCE NOVEMBER.

KPBS NEWS HAS LEARNED THAT SHE IS NOW ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE, PENDING A FURTHER INVESTIGATION.

SHE HAS APOLOGIZED PUBLICLY TWICE, NOW, WITH NO FURTHER COMMENT.

>> WE ARE BECOMING A NO PLACE FOR HATE DISTRICT.

EVERY SCHOOL IS A NO PLACE FOR HATE SCHOOL, NOW.

>> Reporter: IN JANUARY, SHE SPOKE ABOUT HER PLANS FOR REVITALIZING THE DISTRICTS EFFORTS IN DIVERSITY TRAINING AND AWARENESS.

FOLLOWING A COUPLE OF INCIDENTS OF HATE GRAFFITI, SPRAYED ON WALLS AT THE ACADEMY.

>> TO ENSURE THAT OUR STAFF UNDERSTANDS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE AN ANTI-BIASED EDUCATOR, WHAT IT MEANS TO UNDERSTAND THEIR OWN BIASES, AND THAT THE WORK IS ONGOING.

>> Reporter: NOT EVERYONE IS DEMANDING A RESIGNATION.

MOLLY WOULD STRIKE SPEAKS.

>> THE APPROACHES COUNSEL, NOT CANCEL.

MANY STUDENTS ARE ALREADY WORRIED ABOUT SAYING OR DOING THE WRONG THING, HURTING THEIR CLASSMATES OR THEIR FRIENDS, BUT THEY WANT TO LEARN.

>> Reporter: MILLER, WITH THE NORTH COUNTY EQUITY DIVISION.

>> IF WE HAVE MORE INCLUSIVE THOUGHTS, MORE DIVERSE THOUGHT AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT DIFFERENT GROUPS, THIS TYPE OF STATEMENT WOULD NEVER HAVE COME OUT.

>> THE BOTTOM LINE IS, WE REQUEST DR. WARD TO RESIGN.

>> Reporter: THE SCHOOL BOARD WILL HAVE THE LAST WORD ON THE SUPERINTENDENT'S FUTURE.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> THOSE LOOKING TO BOOST OUR HOUSING SUPPLY CAN SPEED UP THE PROCESS, DEPENDING ON WHERE THEY BUILD.

IT IS PART OF A PROGRAM CALLED COMPLETE COMMUNITIES, THAT ALLOWS UNLIMITED DENSITY NEAR PUBLIC TRANSIT.

KPBS METRO PORTER ANDREW BOWEN UPDATES US ON HOW IT IS GOING IN ONE OF THE PRODUCT PROJECTS UNDERWAY.

>> Reporter: CONSTRUCTION IS JUST GETTING STARTED AT 9:01 WASHINGTON STREET IN MISSION HILLS.

THEY ARE BUILDING 54 STUDIO APARTMENTS.

THEY WILL BE COMPACT, LIKE A SWISS ARMY KNIFE.

>> AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAVE BUILT IN SO FAR, THE TRANSITIONS, IT BECOMES A BED, WE HAVE TABLES THAT COME OUT OF THE WALL, ABUNDANT STORAGE.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE USING COMPLETE COMMUNITIES, A PROGRAM THAT LETS DEVELOPERS BUILD AS MANY APARTMENTS AS WILL FIT ON A GIVEN LOT, WITH NO LIMITS ON DENSITY OR HEIGHT.

INSTEAD, THE LIMIT IS ON FLOOR SPACE.

THE TALLER THE BUILDING, THE MORE SLENDER IT HAS TO BE.

IT IS A NEW APPROACH TO HOUSING THAT ENCOURAGES SMALLER, LESS EXPENSIVE HOMES.

IF THE GOAL WAS TO GET MORE HOUSING BUILT, EARLY RESULTS SHOW THAT IT IS WORKING.

IF THEY WERE TO BUILD ACCORDING TO THE SITES OFFICIAL ZONING, THE PROJECT WOULD SHRINK FROM 54 HOMES TO 9.

THE FIVE LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME HOMES WOULD BE GONE.

>> IF IT'S ONLY NINE UNITS, AND I'M ARTIE INTO THE LAND FOR $2 MILLION, I HAVE TO BUILD SUPER HIGH-END LUXURY JUST TO RECOVER MY INITIAL BASIS INTO THE PROPERTY.

THESE WILL NOT BE RENTALS.

IT WILL BE SUPER BOUGIE UNITS.

THAT DOESN'T ADD VALUE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

IT DOES NOT ACTIVATE OUR COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: UNLIMITED HEIGHT MIGHT CONJURE IMAGES OF SKYSCRAPERS, BUT MOST, IF NOT ALL OF THE COMPLETE COMMUNITIES PROJECTS ARE AROUND EIGHT STORIES OR LESS.

THE ARCHITECT SAYS HIGH-RISES TRIGGER EXPENSIVE BUILDING CODE REQUIREMENTS THAT DON'T MAKE SENSE.

THE MAC WITH THESE SITES THAT ARE SO SMALL, IT CONSUMES SO MUCH OF THE FOOTPRINT THAT YOU ARE NOT REALLY ABLE TO FIND THE SWEET SPOT OF MAXIMIZING THE DWELLING UNITS THAT YOU ARE TRYING TO ACHIEVE, WHICH IS THE GOAL FOR EVERYBODY, CREATE MORE DWELLING UNITS.

>> Reporter: THIS PROJECT IS ONE OF FOUR APARTMENT BUILDINGS THAT HAVE BEEN APPROVED UNDER COMPLETE COMMUNITIES, WITH ANOTHER 10 PROJECTS PENDING APPROVAL.

MORE ARE POPPING UP EVERY MONTH.

ALTOGETHER, THE PROGRAM HAS TRIPLED THE NUMBER OF HOMES THAT WOULD NORMALLY BE ALLOWED ON THESE SITES.

>> WE WILL HAVE SOME ON GRADE PARKING AND SOME LOW GRADE PARKING.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER PROJECT USING COMPLETE COMMUNITIES IS SHORELINE, 100% AFFORDABLE LOW INCOME HOUSING, MOSTLY TWO AND THREE BEDROOMS, READ BY THE GRANVILLE TROLLEY STATION.

GARY ALLEN OF AFFIRMED HOUSING SAYS IT WAS NOT UNLIMITED HEIGHT OR DENSITY THAT ATTRACTED HER TO COMPLETE COMMUNITIES.

IT WAS RELIEF FROM DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES.

THE PROGRAM GIVES A STEEP DISCOUNT ON THOSE FEES FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

ALAN SAYS THAT SAVE THE PROJECT ABOUT MILLION DOLLARS, WHICH HELPED WHEN APPLYING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING TAX CREDITS.

>> THE SAVINGS THAT COMPLETE COMMITTEES PROVIDED MEANT THAT WE NEEDED LESS SUBSIDY.

THE MORE COMPETITIVE WE ARE.

IF WE ARE NOT COMPETITIVE, WE HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER SIX OR NINE MONTHS TO APPLY AGAIN.

>> Reporter: COMPLETE COMMUNITIES IS DESIGNED TO BE RESISTANT TO NEIGHBORHOOD OPPOSITION, LETTING PROJECTS BYPASS CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION'S AND GET APPROVAL FROM CITY STAFFERS.

THAT OPPOSITION HAS NOT GONE AWAY.

>> I AM EXTREMELY OPPOSED TO THIS BUILDING.

THIS IS WAY TOO MUCH, TOO BIG.

>> A SEVEN-STORY BUILDING WILL STAND OUT.

>> WHAT IS THE COMMUNITY GETTING OUT OF THIS?

>> Reporter: AND THAT WAS NICOLE PHILLIPS, FRANCIS BRIDGET, SPEAKING AT A RECENT MEETING OF THE NORMAL HEIGHTS COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP.

THEY ARE ALL OPPOSED TO A SEVEN- STORY, 175 UNIT APARTMENT BUILDING, POST RIGHT HERE ON ADAMS AVENUE.

THE DEVELOPER INTENDS TO USE COMPLETE COMMUNITIES TO BUILD MORE THAN SIX TIMES THE DENSITY AND MORE THAN DOUBLE THE HEIGHT.

RESIDENT ADAM DEUTSCH SUMS IT UP.

BE MAC >> MY SENSE IS THAT THIS PROJECT DOES NOT FIT THE COMMUNITY PLAN.

>> Reporter: THE COMMUNITY PLAN FOR NORMAL HEIGHTS HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED IN 25 YEARS.

SCARCITY IS WRITING STEEP INFLATION AND HOME PRICES AND RENT, AND COMPLETE COMMUNITIES IS PROVING EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE AT GETTING A LOT MORE HOUSING BUILT, FAST.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>> THE COST OF HOUSING IS DIRECTLY TIED TO SAN DIEGO'S HOMELESSNESS PROBLEM.

THIS WEEK, ANDREW BOWEN HOSTED A KPBS COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ON WHAT IS AND IS NOT WORKING, LOCALLY.

YOU CAN STREAM AT ANY TIME ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

THE STORY ON DENSITY IS ONE OF OUR MOST READ AT KPBS.ORG, SO IS THE CRIME INVESTIGATION IN LAKESIDE.

>>> AFTER THE STABBING OF A 15- YEAR-OLD BLACK GIRL.

AND USE PHASE FOR THE MISSION VALLEY STADIUM SITE, AS WORK BEGINS ON A NEW RIVERPARK.

A MAKEOVER FOR HISTORIC DOWNTOWN ESCONDIDO.

TONYA THORNE SHOWS US THE PROGRESS MADE ALONG GRAND AVENUE.

>> Reporter: DRILLING AND CONSTRUCTION WORKERS HAVE FILLED GRAND AVENUE IN ESCONDIDO , WHERE THE GRAND TEA ROOM IS LOCATED.

T AND CONSTRUCTION ARE NOT THE BEST COMBO, BUT THE OWNER OF THE TEA ROOM SAYS SHE DOES NOT MIND IT.

>> IT HAS BEEN A COUPLE MONTHS, YEAH.

IT'S OKAY.

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE END RESULT.

>> Reporter: SHE IS TALKING ABOUT THE GRAND AVENUE VISION PROJECT , A PLAN TO IMPROVE ESCONDIDO'S HISTORIC GRAND AVENUE.

TO DRIVE MORE BUSINESSES AND VISITORS INTO THE CITY.

SHE SAYS THE IMPROVEMENTS CAME FROM REQUESTS MADE TO THE CITY BY BUSINESS OWNERS ON GRANT.

>> WE GIVE THEM IDEAS, YOU KNOW.

WIDENING SIDEWALKS AND PUTTING MORE PLANTS IN, AND YOU KNOW, JUST A DIFFERENT IDEA.

WE WERE SUPER EXCITED WHEN WE FOUND OUT THAT THEY WERE ACTUALLY LISTENING AND DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

>> Reporter: JENNIFER SHIMEK IS THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

SHE SAYS THESE CHANGES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN PHASES.

>> THE GRAND AVENUE VISION CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IS REALLY THE FIRST PHASE IN REVITALIZING DOWNTOWN ESCONDIDO.

THE BENEFITS FROM THIS PROJECT ARE GOING TO HELP DRAW PEOPLE TO DOWNTOWN, HELP BUSINESSES EXPAND OPERATIONS.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS OUTDOOR DINING HELPED MANY BUSINESSES SURVIVE THE PANDEMIC AND THE SIDEWALKS WILL MAKE PARTY IS PERMANENT.

>> WE WERE ABLE TO ISSUE TEMPORARY USE PERMITS FOR ALL OF THE RESTAURANTS THAT WANTED TO HAVE AN OUTDOOR DINING OPTION , AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE DEFINITELY WANT TO CONTINUE WITH THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE HAPPENING ON GRAND AVENUE.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO THE WIDER SIDEWALKS, TRAFFIC WILL NARROW DOWN TO ONE LANE IN EACH DIRECTION.

PARKING SPACES WILL BE ADDED AND STRING LIGHTING WILL GO UP.

CHANGES WILL ONLY BE SEEN ON THE NORTH SIDE OF GRAND AVENUE, BEFORE CONSTRUCTION COMES TO A PAUSE, RIGHT BEFORE THE ANNUAL CRUISING GRAND CLASSIC COMMIE RESUMES, FROM MAY TO SEPTEMBER.

SUMAC CRUISING GRAND IS AN IMPORTANT EVENT IN OUR DOWNTOWN AREA.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE EVENT ORGANIZERS FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THE STATE OF GRAND AVENUE, WHEN THAT EVENT STARTS AT >> Reporter: CONSTRUCTION FOR THE NEXT PHASE IS PLANNED TO START AGAIN IN EARLY 2023.

THE COMPLETION DATE FOR THE FULL GRAND AVENUE VISION PLAN IS YET TO BE DETERMINED.

ONLY ABOUT HALF OF THE $50 MILLION PROJECT HAS BEEN FUNDED.

>> MOST OF THE BUSINESSES ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.

>> Reporter: THERE IS ANOTHER PROJECT THAT HAS A BIG PART IN ESCONDIDO'S REVITALIZATION.

THAT PROJECT IS TAKING PLACE AT THE END OF GRAND AVENUE, WHERE PALMORE HOSPITAL USED TO BE.

IT'S NOT THERE ANYMORE AND IT HAS MADE WAY FOR PALOMAR HEIGHTS, A NEW DEVELOPMENTS THAT WILL BE CATERED TO RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES.

>> IF YOU STAND AT THE ESCONDIDO SIGN, AT THE END OF GRAND, AND YOU LOOK DOWN, HISTORICALLY YOU WOULD SEE THE LARGE, NINE STORY TOWER OF THE HOSPITAL.

NOW THAT THAT HAS BEEN DEMOLISHED, WE WANTED TO CREATE ANOTHER LANDMARK, CREATE ANOTHER BEACON.

>> Reporter: NINA HAMMOND IS AN INTEGRAL COMMUNITIES.

THEY ARE REPLACING PALOMAR HOSPITAL WITH PALOMAR HEIGHTS.

IT'S A MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT AND THE PLANS CALL FOR OVER 500 HOMES.

SOME LUXURY, AND SOME WHAT THE DEVELOPERS CALL, ATTAINABLE PRICED.

>> OUR IDEA WAS TO BRING A PRODUCT TYPE TO THE MARKET THAT WAS SMALLER IN SIZE, AND LOWER IN BEDROOM COUNT, TO TRY TO CREATE A PRODUCT THAT WAS ATTAINABLE HE, FOR AN ENTRY- LEVEL BUYER.

>> Reporter: 90 RENTAL UNITS WILL BE SPECIFICALLY FOR SENIORS, 55 AND OVER.

IT INCLUDES SOME RETAIL AND RESTAURANTS.

BE MAC THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WE TRIED TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF RETAIL THAT WE INCORPORATED.

WE REALLY DID NOT, WE WANTED IT TO THE ADDITIVE AND NOT CANNIBALIZE THE EXISTING RETAIL.

>> Reporter: CONSTRUCTION OF THE DEVELOPMENT WILL TAKE BETWEEN 3-5 YEARS.

AND BACK AT THE GRANTEE ROOM, THEY'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO WHAT IS AHEAD.

>> WE ARE HOPING WITH ALL OF THESE IMPROVEMENTS, AND PALOMAR HEIGHTS BUILDING THOSE APARTMENTS AND CONDOS, THAT IT DRAWS MORE BUSINESSES TO WANT TO MOVE INTO DOWNTOWN, IN ADDITION TO THE CUSTOMERS.

>> Reporter: TONYA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE ARE GOING TO STAY IN NORTH COUNTY FOR THIS NEXT STORY, A LONG NEEDED RESOURCE WILL SOON OPEN ITS DOORS TO THOSE SUFFERING MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCIES.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN TELLS US HOW IT WILL GIVE PEOPLE A PLACE TO HEAL.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY OFFICIALLY OPENED ITS FIFTH CRISIS STABILIZATION UNIT, THIRD IN THE NORTH COUNTY.

IT IS A PLACE FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING AND MENTAL HEALTH OR SUBSTANCE USE CRISIS CAN GO TO SEEK HELP OUTSIDE OF AN EMERGENCY ROOM.

SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON A WALK- IN BASIS.

THE MAC >> IT'S A PLAN TO REDUCE THE CRISIS AND HELP STABILIZE INDIVIDUALS SO THEY CAN BE LINKED BACK WITH THEIR FAMILY AND OTHER PEOPLE SUPPORTING THEM.

>> Reporter: DR. NICK MESH ON IS HEAD OF THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY.

HE SAYS WITHOUT CRISIS CENTERS, PEOPLE MIGHT BE TAKEN TO E.R.s OR JAILS AND NOT GET THE HELP THEY NEED.

IT IS A SAFE ALTERNATIVE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO DROP OFF PEOPLE WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS FOR CARE.

THEY ARE DESIGNED FOR THE SMOOTHEST POSSIBLE TRANSITION FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO HANDOFF CARE.

OCEANSIDE POLICE CHIEF, FRED ARMEY , SAYS HIS AGENCY HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES CALLS A DAY.

>> THE NUMBER OF CALLS FOR SERVICE THAT HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH COMPONENT TO THEM HAS INCREASED DRAMATICALLY OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

IT IS COMMON, SEVERAL TIMES A DAY, WE ARE GETTING SOMEBODY INTO SOME FORM OF A MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE CENTER WILL CUT DOWN THE TIME OFFICERS ARE OUT ON THESE CALLS FROM SEVERAL HOURS TO ABOUT 10 MINUTES.

EVERYTHING IN THIS PLACE IS DESIGNED WITH A CALMING, RELAXING EFFECT, SUCH AS THIS ROOM AND THE CONNECTING PATIO.

IT WAS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED THAT WAY, TO HELP PEOPLE IN CRISIS.

>> WE PUT GREAT EFFORT IN THINKING ABOUT, PEOPLE ARE IN CRISIS.

THEY ARE DEALING WITH TRAUMA.

WHAT YOU WANT TO CREATE IS AN ENVIRONMENT THAT REDUCES ALL OF THAT EXTERNAL TRAUMA, SO YOU CREATE A SOOTHING ENVIRONMENT.

>> Reporter: INSIDE THE 8000 SQUARE-FOOT FACILITY, THERE ARE RECLINERS, GARDENS, PATIOS, AND REFLECTION ROOMS, SO PEOPLE EXPENSING MENTAL HEALTH CRISES CAN DECOMPRESS.

SO FAR, THESE HAVE HELPED 5200 INDIVIDUALS.

ONLY 5% OF THOSE REFERRED TO HIGHER-LEVEL CARE.

MOST WERE ABLE TO RETURN HOME TO THEIR FAMILY WITHIN THE DAY.

WITH THEIR SUCCESS, THE COUNTY IS PLANNING TO OPEN A SIX CSU SOON.

THIS TIME, IN EAST COUNTY.

THE OCEANSIDE CENTER WILL OPEN TO THE PUBLIC STARTING NEXT WEEK.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> FRIDAY IS EARTH DAY AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES TO ENJOY NATURE THIS WEEKEND.

KPBS REPORTER JOHN CAROL STOPPED BY IN A BENCH THAT IS ALL ABOUT THE EARTH AND WHAT GROWS OUT OF IT.

>> Reporter: WHEN YOU THINK OF A GARDEN, WHAT COMES TO MIND?

FOR MANY OF US, IT IS SOMETHING LIKE THIS, THE ROSE GARDEN AT BALBOA PARK, RESPLENDENT IN ITS 40 BEAUTY.

FLORAL BEAUTY.

THIS GARDEN IS NOT SO MUCH ABOUT THE EYES, BUT MORE ABOUT THE STOMACH, NUTRITION.

THESE ARE CALLED TINY GARDENS.

IT'S A WAY TO GET PEOPLE STARTED GROWING THEIR OWN FOOD.

THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR BAYSIDE COMMUNITY CENTER IN LINDA VISTA HAS PROVIDED TINY GARDENS TO THE COMMUNITY.

IT STARTS WITH STUDENTS FROM HIGH TECH HIGH IN CLAREMONT, SHOVELING SOIL INTO BAGS.

>> WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME SHOVELING DIRT INTO THESE FELT BAGS.

>> Reporter: FOR HOPE SHAW AND HER FRIENDS, IT WAS TOTALLY WORTH IT.

>> WE ARE WANTING TO HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE WITHOUT ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD.

IT IS A BASIC HUMAN NEED AND A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT.

NO ONE SHOULD BE WITHOUT IT.

>> BACK SEAT OR TRUCK?

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CHAIR, NATHAN FLETCHER, ORIGINALLY PARTNERED WITH BAYSIDE LAST YEAR AS A WAY TO GET FOOD AND THE MEANS TO GROW IT TO PEOPLE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> IF YOU CAN LOCALLY GROW, YOU ARE GOING TO GET ACCESS TO FRESH PRODUCE AND VEGETABLES.

YOU ALSO HAVE A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT WITH NOT TRACKING THINGS ACROSS THE COUNTRY OR THE WORLD.

IT'S NOT AS HARD AS IT IS.

SEEMS.

>> Reporter: EVERYONE HERE GOT A TOMATO AND CILANTRO PLANT, A DRIP TRAY, TOMATO CAGE, AND WATERING CAN.

AND, THEY ARE PROVIDED INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO MAKE THEIR GARDEN GROW.

THE SUM TOTAL OF WHAT FOLKS ARE GETTING HERE IS SO MUCH MORE THAN THE PARTS.

>> ONE OF THE MOMS TOLD ME THAT HER KID WOULD NEVER EAT VEGETABLES UNTIL THEY GREW THEM THEMSELVES, AND NOW THEY EAT THEM ALL THE TIME AND TELL ALL THEIR FRIENDS ABOUT IT.

>> Reporter: TINY GARDENS, AND IN THAT ONLY MAKES SENSE AT THE START.

THESE GARDENS WILL GROW AND TURN INTO SOMETHING BIG, SOMETHING FUN, SOMETHING THAT IS LIFE-SUSTAINING FOR PEOPLE AND THE PLANET.

JOHN CAROL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> FINALLY, A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT IN LOGAN HEIGHTS.

IT'S ABOUT GIVING KIDS IN THE HISTORICALLY HISPANIC NEIGHBORHOOD A MODERN APPROACH TO LEARNING.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER ANGIE PEREZ MET SOME WHO ARE ALREADY BENEFITING.

>> Reporter: THESE ARE THE SOUNDS OF MUSIC IN THE MAKING.

IT'S NOT PERFECT, BUT IT'S PROGRESS.

FOR SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GRADE BANDMEMBERS AT THE NEW LOGAN MEMORIAL EDUCATIONAL CAMPUS, BETTER KNOWN BY ITS ACRONYM, LN EC.

LOCATED IN LOGAN HEIGHTS, AND SEVERAL OF THE BUDDING BAND STUDENTS COME FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD'S FORMER LOGAN K8 MEMORIAL PREP MIDDLE SCHOOLS, WHICH THE STATE HAD DESIGNATED IN 2019 AS TWO OF THE LOWEST PERFORMING SCHOOLS IN CALIFORNIA.

>> NOW WE CAN TEACH KIDS ALL THE WAY FROM KINDERGARTEN, ALL THE WAY UP TO HIGH SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: SURFING PEREZ IS THE LMEC BAND INSTRUCTOR WHO TAUGHT MUSIC AT MEMORIAL PREP FOR EIGHT YEARS.

THAT SCHOOL WAS CLOSED TO MAKE WAY FOR THE NEW EDUCATIONAL COMPLEX THAT INCLUDES CLASSROOMS FOR CHILDREN IN PRESCHOOL, ALL THE WAY THROUGH 12th GRADE.

THIS IS ONE PART OF THE EQUATION THAT EQUALS A NEW CURRICULUM, NEW RESOURCES, AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN UNDERSERVED FOR DECADES.

>> WE ARE HOPING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A MERRY ASHY PROGRAM, A BAND, ORCHESTRA, HOPEFULLY JAZZ, LATIN JAZZ, SOMETHING THAT REFLECTS OUR COMMUNITY, SOMETHING THAT REFLECTS THE BACKGROUND OF OUR STUDENTS.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO UNIFIED INVESTED $180 MILLION IN TAXPAYER-FUNDED BOND MONEY TO DEMOLISH THE TWO FORMER SCHOOLS ON THE CITY BLOCK BETWEEN OCEANVIEW BOULEVARD AND LOGAN AVENUE.

IT REPLACED THEM WITH STATE-OF- THE-ART STRUCTURES, INCLUDING THE FIRST EVER LOGAN HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL.

14-YEAR-OLD HECTOR ROBLES WILL BE PART OF THE LMEC CLASS OF 2026.

>> I FEEL EXCITED TO BE A FRESHMAN, TO BE THE FIRST LMEC GRADUATE OF A HIGH SCHOOL, THE FIRST IN THIS NEW HIGH SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: THE LOWER SCHOOLS OPENED VIRTUALLY, LAST YEAR.

THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR THAT STUDENTS ARE ON CAMPUS.

THE HIGH SCHOOL OPENS IN AUGUST.

ANTONIO VILLAR WAS THE FORMER PRINCIPAL AND NOW THE SAME POSITION IS CALLED DESIGNER OF LEARNING AT LMEC.

HE SAYS THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE VERY DIFFERENT ABOUT THE LEARNING, HERE.

>> AS A SYSTEM, WE ARE HONORING WHAT HAPPENS WITH CHILDREN WHO ARE DEVELOPING, AND HOW TO BETTER MAKE SURE, HOW TO BETTER ALIGN OUR INSTRUCTION TO THE PARTICULAR STUDENT.

>> Reporter: STUDENTS ARE GETTING THE MONTESSORI METHOD EXCLUSIVELY, STARTING WITH A MIXED PRESCHOOL CLASS OF 3, 4, 5-YEAR-OLDS.

MONTESSORI EDUCATION ENCOURAGES INDEPENDENT AND CREATIVE HE, WITH MORE HANDS-ON LEARNING.

TEACHERS ARE GUIDES, AND SET OF LECTURERS.

ADRIANA LOPEZ IS ONE OF THE SCHOOLS STRATEGY AND INSTRUCTION SUPPORT OFFICERS WHO HELPED IT TO IMPLEMENT THE MODEL, WHICH UNTIL NOW, HAS BEEN USED IN ELITE PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

>> IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR US TO REALLY FOCUS ON USING MONTESSORI IN LOGAN HEIGHTS, WHERE WE ARE WORKING WITH CHILDREN THAT CAN TO BE MARGINALIZED IN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS.

WE WANT TO SHOW THAT THESE STUDENTS ARE JUST AS CAPABLE AS ANY OTHER CHILDREN TO HAVE THAT ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL SUCCESS.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS IT WILL BE AT LEAST ONE YEAR BEFORE THEY HAVE ASSESSMENT DATA, TO SEE HOW THEY ARE DOING ON REACHING THAT EXCESS.

FULTON IS AN EIGHTH GRADER WHO IS CONFIDENT HER SCHOOL IS ON ITS WAY TO GREATNESS.

>> EVERYBODY IS WATCHING US.

WE ARE SO NEW, IT WILL WORK OUT.

I AM LIKE YOU, IT WILL WORK OUT.

>> Reporter: MELANIE, DESIGNER OF LEARNING FOR THE NEW HIGH SCHOOL, WHICH STILL HAS CONSTRUCTION CREWS COMPLETING FINAL DETAILS BEFORE OPENING IN THE FALL.

>> TO A CERTAIN EXTENT, WE ARE A BIT OF A QUESTION MARK.

THE COMMUNITY WANTS TO WAIT AND SEE AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE REALLY GOING TO DO WHAT WE SAY WE ARE GOING TO DO.

>> Reporter: BACK AT BAND PRACTICE, THE SOUND OF SUCCESS IS ALREADY BEING HEARD.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS LOOK AT KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

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