Lions Community Manor

About Lions Community Manor

Located at the corner of Fourth and Market Streets, the impressive fourteen-story Lions Community Manor serves as a beacon of support for San Diego’s low-income, elderly, and disabled citizens by providing affordable housing options.

Current Management.

  • Managed By: Royal Management Company

Building Information.

  • 14-story building at Fourth and Market

  • Provides 128 affordable housing units
Contact Information.

  • For inquiries regarding apartments at Lions Community Manor:

    Phone: (619) 235-4433

History of Lions Community Manor.

The Quest for a New Meeting Place

  • Previous Venue: U.S. Grant Hotel

  • Issue: Lunch price hike from $2.75 to $3.25 deemed “outrageous” by club members

  • Action: Sought a new meeting location

Formation of the Lions Community Service Corporation (CSC)

  • Purpose: Establish a nonprofit to manage the development of new facilities

  • Initial Board Members: Chairman Tom Chapman, Roger Martin, Ken Marshall, Jack Graham, Ray Schroeder, Roy Houtz, Leon Anville, Fred Weitzel, Alex McDonald

Funding Challenges and Land Acquisition

  • 1973-1975: HUD funding freeze stalled progress for 18 months

  • CSC’s Strategy:

    • Retained the developer during the freeze
    • Aimed to strengthen their position by purchasing the proposed land

  • Application Rejections:

    • July 1975: Initial application rejected post-freeze lift
    • July 1977: Second rejection but with a hint of future fund availability

  • July 1978: CSC approved the purchase of the property

Acknowledgments.

Key Contributors

  • First Congregational Church of San Diego

  • Financial support of $85,000

  • Donated the cathedral entry door

Supporters

  • The Union Tribune
  • Mayor Pete Wilson
  • The Chamber of Commerce
Lions Community Manor

Community Support and HUD Approval

  • Advocacy Efforts: To secure HUD approval, the CSC garnered support from The Union Tribune, Mayor Pete Wilson, and the Chamber of Commerce, and actively petitioned HUD for approval.

  • 1979 Success: Received HUD approval and $5.4 million funding

  • Opposition: Faced challenges from the Downtown Business Association favoring luxury condos

  • Outcome:The club persevered and successfully established 128 affordable housing units, administrative offices, and a beautiful meeting room for the residents and club members alike.

Construction and Dedication

  • Additional Fundraising Needed: Raised an extra $300,000 beyond HUD funds

    • Initiatives: The club transformed its “Pledge to Serve” into a “Pledge to Build” campaign. The First Congregational Church of San Diego contributed $85,000 and donated the cathedral entry door for the Community Room.

  • Milestones:

    • Groundbreaking Ceremony: October 13, 1980 (no media attendance)
    • Building open to Residents: October, 1981.
    • Topping-Off Ceremony: May 22, 1981
    • Official Dedication: February 6, 1981

Leadership.

  • President: Dave Owens

  • Vice President: Darcy Lovgren Pavich

  • Secretary: Randy Stage

  • Treasurer: Randall Wood

Board Members

  • Kathleen Baldwin
  • Phyllis Barber
  • Pete Gallagher
  • Todd Kaprielian

  • Sharon Mendenhall

  • Tracy Phillips
  • Kellen Polan
  • Peter Singer
  • Dennis Smith

Executive Director

  • Victoria Wierig