The Alligator Tour’s First Open House: A Call to Action
On March 29th, I hosted the first official “Open House” of The Alligator Tour at 4601 Almayo Ave, marking the first stop on my journey to expose the realities of high-density ADU developments. About 50 people showed up, eager to see firsthand the consequences of the city’s build-up, not-out policies.
A Life-Changing Encounter
One attendee, a young man in his 40s, recently semi-retired from his career as a merchant marine specializing in fire and rescue, was shocked by what he saw. He couldn’t believe the fire safety risks posed by the project’s layout and density. Moved by the experience, he is now drafting a detailed fire safety scenario for the site, highlighting the catastrophic consequences if the rear building were to catch fire with tenants inside. We plan to publish his findings and send a letter to the Mayor and City Council, urging the San Diego Fire Department to create a specialized operational plan for this and similar high-density projects. The time to address these risks is now—before tragedy strikes.
This experience also pushed the young man to make a major life decision. On Sunday, just one day after visiting the site, I recieved this email from him:
“Hi, Jim
It was great to meet you. Thanks you for organizing the event today at Almayo Ave.
It was good to see the turn out and meet everyone. That really helped with my decision to run for City Council District 2.”
He had decided to run for Council District 2 when Dr. Jen Campbell’s seat is up in December 2026. A San Diego native who grew up in Clairemont, he had been on the fence, but seeing the Alligator Project’s impact solidified his resolve. I’m committed to helping him in his mission to serve his community. The Alligator Tour was his call to action! Hi, Jim
It was great to meet you. Thanks you for organizing the event today at Almayo Ave.
It was good to see the turn out and meet everyone. That really helped with my decision to run for City Council District 2.
Neighbors Standing Together
Another key couple at the event recently retired and live in a beautifully upgraded home in Bay Park. The wife, former owner of HobNob Hill Restaurant, and her husband, who still runs a hair salon in Banker’s Hill, had invested heavily to create a peaceful retirement haven. They cherished their secluded backyard, which was shielded by mature trees from the homes above. But recently, the trees were cut down, and they learned that the property behind them could become a 20-unit ADU project, stripping away their privacy and tranquility.
They asked me to add their home to The Alligator Tour, inviting neighbors to experience firsthand the loss of peace and quiet that they are enduring. The event is scheduled for April 27, from 12-4 pm, where I will speak about the Ballot Initiative and encourage community involvement.
Connecting with City Leadership
Also attending was Carrie Munson, District Representative for Council District 2, working under Dr. Jen Campbell. I had met with both of them earlier, making it clear that I no longer support the city’s approach of yielding housing policy to the state legislature. Carrie expressed frustration about the challenges of revisiting the ADU Bonus Density Program within the council’s 90-day review window, especially given the resistance from other council members.
I left that meeting emphasizing my commitment to push the Ballot Initiative through a special election, even though both Carrie and Dr. Campbell seemed skeptical of my ability to make it happen.
The Human Impact
One of the most emotional moments came from Jimmy, the owner of the house adjacent to the Almayo project. As he helped set up for the event, he spoke of his personal struggles and how owning his home had been his anchor. When the construction on the Alligator project nextdoor began, his life was turned upside down. Jimmy confronted the developer, leading to a restraining order against him. The weight of this experience became apparent when, overwhelmed by the turnout, Jimmy quietly left the event. Later, he apologized, admitting he couldn’t handle the outpouring of support without tearing up.
The Results of the First Open House
- Millennials, like the merchant marine, are realizing that they must take action to address the housing crisis their predecessors helped create.
- Homeowners in affected neighborhoods are coming together to share stories and find collective solutions to mitigate the physical and psychological impact of these overbuilt projects.
- Current policymakers have exhausted their attempts to manage the state’s one-size-fits-all housing mandates. It’s time to take local control back.
- The public cares about the human stories behind these developments. They care about Jimmy and his neighbors.
- The City of San Diego must focus on mitigating the damage they’ve caused by implementing better fire safety plans and addressing the mental health toll on impacted residents.
My Next Steps
The path ahead is clear. I will use the funds I raise to invest in the most impactful outreach methods, like drone photography instead of symbolic gestures like the Red Balloon. I will empower passionate community members, like the merchant marine, to take charge of their destiny. And most importantly, I will continue, as my mother taught me, to push forward “come hell or high water” to find real, sustainable solutions for housing in San Diego.
The Alligator Tour marches on!