Faulconer to visit Tijuana Friday

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Kevin Faulconer plans to make his first visit as San
Diego mayor to his counterpart in Tijuana Friday morning to discuss regional
economic and trade opportunities, and border infrastructure.

At a news conference Thursday, Faulconer said he would meet with Tijuana
Mayor Jorge Astiazaran, members of the Tijuana City Council, the Tijuana
Economic Development Corporation and key business leaders of the
Tijuana/Binational Community.

“I think the sky is the limit in terms of our relationship with
Mexico,” Faulconer said.

He said that among the top issues will be infrastructure upgrades needed
on the U.S. side of the border, including improvements on La Media Road,
where congestion creates long delays at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry truck
crossing.

Faulconer also announced that the currently unstaffed city of San Diego
“office” in Tijuana will remain open. The location, opened under ex-Mayor Bob
Filner, is actually just space set aside for the city's use in the offices of
the Tijuana EDC.

A binational affairs director will be hired soon to make regular visits
to Tijuana and make use of the facility, which could be expanded in the future,
according to the mayor. He said the office will “foster communication”
between the two cities.

Other topics to be discussed during the mayor's Tijuana visit are the
expansion project at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, comprehensive immigration
reform and pedestrian border access.

Former San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, president and CEO of the San Diego
Regional Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled to accompany Faulconer on the trip.