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san diego
Hillcrest Business Improvement Association bids farewell to Warren Simon after 20 years
Nonprofit organization welcomes new executive director
Published Thursday, 29-Jan-2009 in issue 1101
After more than two decades of service to the Hillcrest community, Warren Simon, who oversaw many improvements to the area is retiring his post as the executive director of the Hillcrest Business Improvement Association (HBIA).
Earlier this month Benjamin Nicholls, formerly from the Pacific Beach Business Improvement District (BID), stepped in as the new executive director of the nonprofit organization, established in 1921, making it the oldest business association in San Diego.
The 20-year veteran oversaw many changes during his tenure with the nonprofit organization. He, however, said he cannot take all the credit for the successes of the HBIA, which represents more than 1,200 businesses, administering a portion of the funds collected by the city through local business licenses.
“All the changes were brought about through our Hillcrest board,” Simon said. “They had the vision of what they wanted to see for our Hillcrest community,” he said, noting many improvements were not short term changes.
“Some improvements took years to accomplish and can still be seen today. They will hopefully remain well into the future,” Simon said.
Simon recalls the University Avenue median improvement project as the one of the most significant projects which he saw realized during his time leading the organization.
“It is one of the most drastic and visible changes that can be seen, taking nearly 10 years from the beginning to the final dedication in 1997, due to funding issues outside of the BID’s control,” he said.
The HBIA is part of the city’s BID Council, uniting small businesses across San Diego.
In 1984, at the urging of local businesses and residents, the city of San Diego formed the Hillcrest BID. Joyce Beers was the first executive director. The
The association employs private security patrols in the core of our neighborhood and pays the electric bill for the neon in the Hillcrest sign. In 1999, the HBIA established the Uptown Partnership, Inc., a non-profit corporation focusing on projects to improve uptown parking and transportation resources.
Cindy Lehman, the senior vice president at California Bank & Trust, who worked with Simon during his 20 year tenure, said Simon was more than just an executive director.
“Warren is a friend to Hillcrest and is the hardest working, most sincere man I’ve ever met in the nonprofit world,” Lehman said, noting she has never heard anybody say anything bad about Simon.
“He has worked nonstop and been seen on the streets of Hillcrest every day for the past 20-something years. The new executive director of the organization has some big shoes to fill,” she said.
Nicholls is well aware of the legacy he must fulfill and is confident that his many years in community development work will help to bring new ideas and energy into the organization.
“Hillcrest is one of the most diverse and most exciting diverse business districts we have in San Diego,” Nicholls said. “With that comes lots of energy and ideas, which we are hoping will keep Hillcrest at top of people minds when it comes to shopping.”
With economic recession, however, Nicholls knows area business face rough roads ahead.
He is working on three strategies in particular to assist with the hurdles business may have attracting customers.
“Cleaning crews are in the neighborhood daily with a focus on keeping the neighborhood clean, by pressure washing sidewalks and removing gum and debris off the streets,” Nicholls said, noting there are also 30 new trash cans place in and around the area by the HBIA.
The organization is also working on marketing efforts to attract both businesses and community members to shop Hillcrest.
He admits part three is a little more complicated.
We need the right mix of businesses to fill the many vacant storefronts in the area. We are currently working with property owners and brokers to do this by finding the right incentives and the right businesses, he said.
Nicholls might benefit from a few words of advice from his predecessor, who expressed his gratitude to the HBIA directors for their support throughout the years.
Simon said before any improvements can be made one must get to know the community. “I was paid essentially to know the community and that’s what needs to be done in order to get the changes desired by everyone involved. You need to walk around really get to know the people and know what’s on their minds – the property and business owners alike,” he said. “You cannot do that behind a desk.”
Both San Diego city and county recently proclaimed official days honoring Simon’s nearly two decades of service.
Hillcrest business owners are invited to join in a retirement celebration honoring Warren Simon at Top of the Park on Monday, Feb. 2, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. To RSVP for the event, e-mail Cindy Lehman at cindy.lehman@calbt.com. All RSVPs are requested by noon on Feb. 2. 
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