Of all the unique areas in San Diego, Coronado is particularly singular. Despite its close proximity to the perpetually modernizing of the City center, the surrounding water causes it to be primarily isolated from the city with only a few tenuous connections. This has allowed it to steadfastly remain a gem of nostalgia to mid 1900s Americana. History lovers explore the island for its long-standing roots in the US military, as much as for its notable appearances in iconic cinema. Tourists frequent the classic, boardwalk shops of the ferry landing, indulging in ice cream cones while gazing at the San Diego city skyline across the water. Locals and visitors alike relax on the pristine sand beaches, as immaculate as the manicured grassy lawns. Even the community theater puts on beloved productions from an idyllic past.

Coronado may be culturally and physically distinct from much of San Diego, but it is not immune from many of the struggles that San Diego faces from its sprawling urbanization and ever increasing population. As in the rest of the city, there is not only a general housing shortage, but specifically, a lack of affordable housing for low and moderate income residence. As in many areas in San Diego, new housing that is being built in Coronado is out of reach for many people who work in and on the island, but can't afford to live there.
My piece "Bridges and fences" pays homage to the culture of Coronado, while examining the ways in which the housing problems common with all of San Diego, are particularly unique to the island itself. It is a call to continue to search for solutions to creating affordable housing that allows Coronado to be more accessible to more populations, despite some of the innate obstacles, both physical and existential.