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CASE STUDY

LOGAN HEIGHTS ARTS DISTRICT

Revitalizing 19th to 32nd St – How We Transformed Forgotten Spaces in Logan Heights Into Community-Driven Arts & Cultural Hubs

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Project Overview​​


We founded The Logan Heights Arts District with a core mission to build community through the arts and transform Logan Heights into a thriving cultural destination.

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What began as a collection of underutilized warehouses along 19th to 32nd Street in Logan Heights, San Diego, evolved into a dynamic hub for creatives, entrepreneurs, and local businesses. Through strategic planning, creative placemaking and deep community engagement, we breathed new life into forgotten spaces, transforming underutilized warehouses into vibrant, multi-purpose creative hubs. 

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By curating a dynamic mix of experiences and ensuring local voices played a role in shaping the district, we drew in new crowds and energized the neighborhood with:

  • Thoughtfully curated retail & creative spaces that supported local artist & entrepreneurs.

  • Live music, cultural programming & interactive events designed to foster connection.

  • Food vendors & farmers markets that celebrated the community’s diverse flavors.

  • Public art, galleries & boutique shops showcasing emerging and established artists.

  • Outdoor wellness, & recreation spaces that fostered movement, relaxation, and community connection.

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This holistic, community-first approach didn’t just activate spaces — it created lasting value, driving economic vitality, cultural enrichment, and a renewed sense of ownership in a once-overlooked neighborhood.

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The Challenge


Despite its rich cultural history, Logan Heights lacked centralized arts and cultural hubs — physical spaces where artists, makers, and entrepreneurs could thrive and contribute to the neighborhood’s growth.

 

Key challenges included:

  • Underutilized spaces that remained vacant or neglected.

  • Limited resources for small businesses, leaving many without the support needed to succeed.

  • A lack of community-driven programming to foster engagement and cultural preservation.

  • No clear identity or destination appeal, making it difficult to attract visitors and economic activity.

 

Decades of zoning changes and commercial expansion had displaced key neighborhood staples, fragmenting what was once a thriving community. Logan Heights had become a patchwork of industrial spaces, leaving long-time residents marginalized and stripping the area of its cultural heart. More recently, the neighborhood was also grappling with a rapidly growing homelessness crisis, adding new layers of social and economic strain.

 

Our goal was to help restore that sense of community and connection — using the arts as a catalyst to bring people back together, support local businesses, and reignite the neighborhood’s creative and cultural identity.

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The Transformation​​


By integrating strategic planning, placemaking, small business support, and community-driven programming, we helped restore Logan Heights as a thriving hub for artists, entrepreneurs, and cultural experiences in less than 3 years.

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We activated long-neglected spaces, created accessible opportunities for small businesses to grow, and curated dynamic cultural programming that brought thousands of people into the neighborhood — many discovering it for the first time.

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What started as a revitalization effort became a driving force in Logan Heights' resurgence — strengthening its creative identity, economic vitality, and sense of community.

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COMMERCIAL ST STUDIOS
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Results
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  • 57%+ increase in property values under management in three years.

  • 60+ local businesses supported, including first-time entrepreneurs, with hands-on guidance and resources.

  • 200+ community-driven events, fostering a vibrant cultural scene and increasing local activity & engagement.

  • Attracted new businesses to Logan Heights, creating a more dynamic and sustainable local economy.

  • Helped reposition Logan Heights as a cultural destination, enhancing its reputation and long-term economic prospects.

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How We Did It
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1. Strategic Placemaking & Space Activation

  • Transformed vacant and underutilized spaces into dynamic, multi-use creative hubs.

  • Designed and launched affordable workspaces and incubator programs for artists, makers, and small businesses.

  • Developed an identity for Logan Heights as a cultural and entrepreneurial hub, creating long-term value.

 

2. Small Business Support & Economic Development

  • Provided hands-on mentorship, business development support, and financial guidance to over 60 businesses, including 10+ first-time entrepreneurs.

  • Created affordable, high-impact spaces that allowed local businesses to grow sustainably while contributing to the neighborhood’s economy.

  • Designed a supportive infrastructure that helped businesses scale and remain in the district long-term.

 

3. Community Engagement & Cultural Programming

  • Produced and hosted 200+ events, including art shows, makers markets, concerts and cultural festivals.

  • Partnered with local artists, nonprofits, and city officials to align programming with community needs.

  • Strengthened neighborhood pride and engagement, bringing diverse audiences into Logan Heights.

 

4. Stakeholder & Partnership Development

  • Cultivated relationships with city officials, investors, and business and arts leaders to secure support, resources, and long-term community investment.

  • Established collaborations with local organizations to support cultural initiatives.

  • Ensured long-term community buy-in through inclusive decision-making and ongoing stakeholder engagement.

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Our Roles
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  • Founder & Director of Operations – Led the vision, strategy, and execution.

  • Placemaking & Space Activation – Designed and implemented high-impact initiatives.

  • Community & Business Development – Provided direct support to local entrepreneurs.

  • Strategic Partnerships – Established key relationships with business and community leaders to drive long-term success.

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Final Thoughts


The Logan Heights Arts District wasn’t just about activating spaces — it was about restoring identity, rebuilding community, and creating lasting impact.

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By blending real estate development, business incubation, and cultural revitalization, we built a scalable, community-first model that turned overlooked spaces into thriving hubs of creativity and commerce.

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Want to bring this approach to new communities?

Let’s talk.

📧 hello@mosaicadvisors.co​

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