>> THANKS FOR JOINING US, LET'S LOOK AT THE STORIES FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK, COMING UP, PALOMAR HEALTH HAD PLANS TO BUILD A NEW FACILITY BUT THE MONEY FELL THROUGH, WE HAVE AN UPDATE ON HOW THE TEMPORARY MOVE IS GOING AND HOW IT IS ATTRACTING A NEW CROWD OF VISITORS.

AND THE ROLE OF ROBOTS IN HOME CONSTRUCTION, SEE HOW NEW TECHNOLOGY IS BEING USED TO MEET A CRITICAL NEED IN SAN DIEGO.

WE START WITH THE CHALLENGE OF HELPING THOSE EXPERIENCING DRUG ADDICTION, A NEW EXECUTIVE ORDER LIMITS HOW FEDERAL FUNDING CAN BE USED BY PROGRAMS THAT WORK IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

HEIDI DE MARCO SAID THE CHANGE COULD REVERSE THE SUCCESS SEEN IN THE STREET VILLAGES HEALTH TEAM.

>> Reporter: ON A RECENT AFTERNOON, ALCOHOL AND DRUG COUNSELOR, PAULA MENDOZA AND HER TEAMMATES ARE GETTING READY TO MEET THEIR PATIENTS, THEY LOADED UP THE VAN WITH BACKPACKS AND SUPPLIES AND HEADED OUT.

>> THERE IS A STORE WHERE A LOT OF PEOPLE WE KNOW ARE GATHERED.

>> Reporter: FATHER JOE'S VILLAGES STARTED IT IN 2019.

>> A BIG PART OF MY JOB IS HARM REDUCTION.

THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT I SPEND IN THE STREETS, PLANTING THE SEEDS.

>> Reporter: EVERY DAY THEY TREAT HEALTH ISSUES AFFECTING UNHOUSED PEOPLE, FROM WOUNDS TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS SINCE 2020, FATHER JOE SAYS THEY HAVE SERVED MORE THAN 3000 PEOPLE.

>> DEATHS ARE DOWN, AND PEOPLE ARE MAKING IT AND THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THAT.

PROBABLY THE BIGGEST ONE HAS TO BE THE NARCAN, THAT IS A BIG GAME CHANGER.

>> Reporter: MENDOZA SAYS THE KITS INCLUDE CERTAIN TOOLS TO HELP START A CONVERSATION AND BUILD TRUST WITH PEOPLE WHO USE DRUGS.

>> YOU KNOW WE HAVE FOIL AND STRAWS, WE ALSO HAVE THE TOURNIQUET AND TESTS FOR FENTANYL.

>> Reporter: FEDERAL GRANTS CAN STILL PAY FOR THE LOCKS ON AND FENTANYL TEST STRIPS ABOUT A NEW EXECUTIVE ORDER DIRECTS SEEMS A TO STOP PAYING FOR THINGS LIKE SYRINGES AND PIPES, SAYING THEY FACILITATE ILLEGAL DRUG USE.

THIS AFTERNOON, MENDOZA RUNS INTO A MAN SHE MET LAST YEAR.

>> HE LOOKS LIKE THE REST OF THESE GUYS WHEN I MET HIM, I MEAN HE DID NOT LOOK GOOD.

IT WORKS IF WE ARE OUT THERE.

>> Reporter: TODAY, RIVERA IS A YEAR INTO RECOVERY, HE JUST COMPLETED A PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST CERTIFICATE, HE SAID CUTTING FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS LIKE THESE COULD MEAN MORE PEOPLE DON'T GET A SECOND CHANCE LIKE HE DID.

>> I WAS DOWN WHEN I MET HER.

I DIDN'T HAVE A STABLE PLACE TO REST MY HEAD.

I ACTUALLY OVERDOSED ON FENTANYL ON ACCIDENT.

AND I FLATLINED.

BUT THEY GAVE ME NARCAN AT THE HOSPITAL AND THAT BROUGHT ME BACK.

>> I USED TO COME ACROSS HIM ON THE STREET.

>> Reporter: AT THEIR SECOND STOP, MENDOZA RUNS INTO ANGELICA, WHO IS ALSO IN RECOVERY.

>> I WAS STEALING FROM STORES, HANG OUT WITH GANG MEMBERS, I DID PROSTITUTION.

>> Reporter: TODAY SHE IS TWO YEARS SOBER AND SHE AND MENDOZA LEAN ON EACH OTHER IN THE RECOVERY MEETINGS.

>> WE WENT THROUGH OUR RECOVERY TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: AFTER SAVING LIVES WITH NARCAN HERSELF, SHE STRUGGLES WITH THE IDEA OF GIVING OUT HARM REDUCTION SUPPLIES.

>> I DON'T WANT TO SOUND LIKE A HATER, I JUST THINK THAT PEOPLE ARE GIVEN TOO MANY OPTIONS.

YOU ARE GIVING THEM A WAY OUT.

>> Reporter: RESEARCH SHOWS HARM REDUCTION INCLUDING DISTURBING SYRINGES DOESN'T FEEL INCREASED DRUG USE, IT REDUCES DISEASE RISK AND CONNECTS PEOPLE TO TREATMENT.

IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, OVERDOSES DECREASED BY MORE THAN 250 BETWEEN 2023 AND 2024.

>> I BELIEVE THAT IS A DIRECT CORRELATION TO THE HARM REDUCTION INTERVENTIONS THAT WERE BEING PROVIDED IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: JENNY WILKINS MANAGES THE STREET PROGRAM, SHE SAID HER STEAM -- TEAM HAS ALREADY DISTRIBUTED 25 DOSES OF NALOXONE THIS YEAR.

MENDOZA SAYS SHE KNOWS WHAT'S AT STAKE.

>> I THINK THERE IS A STIGMA THAT EITHER PEOPLE ON DRUGS ARE NOT WORTH IT, BUT THEY ARE.

AND FUNDING THIS IS LIKE YOU ARE FIGHTING IT, WE FOUND SOMETHING THAT WORKS.

>> Reporter: AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE TEAM HANDED OUT 30 KITS, AND MADE CONNECTIONS, MENDOZA SAYS EVERY KIT, EVERY CONVERSATION IS A SEED THAT CAN LEAD PEOPLE TO TREATMENT.

BUT WITHOUT ALL THEIR TOOLS, SHE SAYS THAT CHANCE FOR CHANGE COULD VANISH.

HEIDI DE MARCO , KPBS NEWS.

>> DRUG TREATMENT IN MENTAL HEALTH OFTEN INTERSECT, BUT THE COUNTY JUST LOST A BIG CHUNK OF STATE FUNDING, WE LOOKED INTO WHY THE STATE RESCINDED THE $50 MILLION GRANT.

>> Reporter: LAST YEAR A CROWD OF LOCAL OFFICIALS PICKED UP SHOVELS TO HELP BREAK GROUND FOR A NEW 120 BED HOSPITAL, AT THE TIME, THE CEO SAID IT WOULD MAKE A LASTING IMPACT ON THE COUNTY.

>> THIS STANCE AS A PROMISE TO OUR COMMUNITY THAT MENTAL HEALTH CARE WILL BE ACCESSIBLE, COMPASSIONATE AND INNOVATIVE.

>> Reporter: IN MAY, PALOMAR HEALTH RECEIVED A GRANT FROM THE STATE, THE FUNDING COMES FROM PROPOSITION ONE WHICH SETS MONEY ASIDE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TREATMENT FACILITIES BUT THE GRANT REQUIRES A MATCHING FUND, THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES SAID THAT PALOMAR HEALTH DID NOT MEET THE DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS, AS A RESULT, THEY HAVE INFORMED THAT THE CONDITIONAL AWARD WAS RESCINDED FOR THE PALOMAR HEALTH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INSTITUTE PROJECT, THE DECISION IS FINAL AND CANNOT BE APPEALED.

WHEN ASKED WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE PROJECT, A PUBLICIST FOR PALOMAR HEALTH SAID THEY HAVE NO COMMENT AT THE TIME.

JOHN CLARK IS THE BOARD MEMBER, HE SAYS HE DOESN'T KNOW IF THE PROJECT IS STILL GOING FORWARD.

>> IT IS DISAPPOINTING BUT PALOMAR HEALTH HAS ALWAYS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT TRYING TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN THE AREA AND WE ARE HOPEFULLY GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

>> Reporter: THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TODAY, BARRICADES, CAUTION TAPE AND A SIGN DICTATING IT IS A CONSTRUCTION ZONE.

NOTHING HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE LAST GROUNDBREAKING.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN.

>> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN LIMITED ACCESS TO ASYLUM LAST JUNE AND PRESIDENT TRUMP ESSENTIALLY TERMINATED THE PROGRAM THIS YEAR.

WE PROFILE ONE MAN TRYING TO NAVIGATE THE SYSTEM.

>> LAST SUMMER, MIGRANTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD CROSSED THE BORDER IN SAN DIEGO.

THERE WERE SO MANY THAT BORDER PATROL AGENTS DROPPED DOZENS OF THEM OFF AT THE TRANSIT CENTER EVERY DAY.

THE COUNTY'S EMERGENCY MIGRANT SHELTER HAD SHUT DOWN, IT RAN OUT OF MONEY, LEAVING THEM WITH NOWHERE TO STAY.

THAT IS WHEN RUTH MENDEZ MET LUIS, AN IMMIGRANT ADVOCATE AND HE IS A SOUTH AMERICAN ASYLUM SEEKER.

WE ARE WITHHOLDING HIS LAST NAME TO PROTECT HIM FROM RETALIATION HERE AND IN HIS HOME COUNTRY.

>> I REMEMBER MEETING HIM AT THE FIRST TIME, GETTING OFF OF ONE OF THE BUSES AT THE TIME WAS WHERE BORDER PATROL WAS RELEASING PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: LOUISE BECAME HOMELESS, HE SPENT A WEEK SLEEPING IN THE AIRPORT BEFORE HE FOUND TEMPORARY HOUSING AT A LOCAL CATHOLIC CHURCH.

STILL, HE DECIDED TO HELP OTHER MIGRANTS WHO STRUGGLED TO FIND A PLACE IN SAN DIEGO.

MENDEZ SAYS THAT HAVING SOMEBODY LIKE LOUISE THERE GAVE THE ADVOCATES INSTANT CREDIBILITY.

>> THESE FOLKS ARE ACTUALLY TRUSTED, IF YOU WANT, YOU CAN FOLLOW HER AND YOU ARE GOING TO GO TO THE AIRPORT FOR FREE.

>> Reporter: THIS CASE STANDS ONE OF THE MOST UNCERTAIN TIMES IN THE U.S. ASYLUM SYSTEM.

HE ARRIVED AUGUST OF 24, SOON AFTER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION PLACED STRICT LIMITS ON ASYLUM AND HIS CASE REMAINS ONGOING AFTER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ESSENTIALLY STOPPED THE ASSIGNMENT PROCESS AND BEGAN ARRESTING PEOPLE AT THEIR COURT HEARINGS.

MELISSA CROW IS THE DIRECTOR OF LITIGATION AT THE CENTER FOR GENDER AND REFUGEE STUDIES WHICH HAS SUED BOTH THE BIDEN AND TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S.

>> AND THEY HAD PEELED BACK THE RIGHTS OF ASYLUM-SEEKERS LIKE AN ONION.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS BACK IN JUNE, 2024, BIDEN MADE ALL MIGRANTS CROSSING THE BORDER PRESUMED INELIGIBLE FOR ASYLUM, PREVIOUSLY EVERYBODY ENTERING THE COUNTRY HAD EQUAL ACCESS TO THE ASYLUM SYSTEM, NO MATTER HOW THEY ENTERED.

THEN, IN HIS FIRST DAYS IN OFFICE, TRUMP CRACKED DOWN EVEN HARDER.

>> THESE CIRCUMSTANCES WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, SECURING THE BORDER RULE, IN MOST CASES TAKE A SIGN HIM OFF THE TABLE.

>> Reporter: FORTUNATELY, HE ENTERED THE COUNTRY BEFORE THE CRACKDOWN SO HE COULD STILL TRY TO PURSUE AN ASYLUM CLAIM BUT BEFORE HE GOT TO SEE A JUDGE, IMMIGRATION CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT AGENTS WERE ARRESTING PEOPLE AT IMMIGRATION COURTS.

MENDEZ WAS WORRIED ABOUT LOUISE SO SHE OFFERED TO GO TO THE SAN DIEGO IMMIGRATION COURT WITH HIM.

>> AT THE BEGINNING OF THE COURT, WE HEARD ABOUT THE SAN FRANCISCO IMMIGRATION COURTS HAVING I.C.E.

INSIDE THE COURTROOM, SO THAT WAS VERY WORRYING.

>> Reporter: WHEN HE LEFT TO GO TO THE BATHROOM, HE SAW THE HALLWAY WAS FULL OF THEM.

HE REMEMBERS THINKING HOW ODD THIS WAS.

IT'S AS IF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WANTS PEOPLE TO ABANDON THEIR CASES.

>> HE WAS AMONG THE FIRST TO BE ARRESTED IN SAN DIEGO'S IMMIGRATION COURT, LOCAL IMMIGRATION LAWYER, TRACY CROWLEY MET HIM AT THE COURTHOUSE ON THE DAY OF HIS ARREST.

SHE WAS BLOWN AWAY BY HOW WELL- PREPARED HE WAS FOR HIS ASYLUM CLAIM BUT THAT WAS STILL NOT ENOUGH TO KEEP HIM OUT OF DETENTION.

>> HE COMPLETED EVERYTHING THEY ASKED HIM TO DO AND HE SHOWED UP WHEN HE WAS SUPPOSED TO SHOW UP AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHY THEY TARGETED HIM BECAUSE THEY KNEW WHERE HE WOULD BE.

>> HE SAW HIS IMPRISONMENT AT THE DETENTION CENTER AS A PARTICULARLY CRUEL IRONY, HE WAS A POLITICAL DISSIDENT IN HIS OWN COUNTRY AND FLED SPECIFICALLY TO AVOID BEING JAILED.

DESPITE HAVING A STRONG CLAIM, LUIS THOUGHT ABOUT GETTING UP.

>> SO IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP HIM MOTIVATED BECAUSE I KNEW I COULD GET HIM OUT ON A BOND, AND I KNEW HE HAD A STRONG CASE.

>> Reporter: HE SAID HE FELT LIKE A ROBOT DURING HIS TIME, IN THIS ENDLESS AND MINDLESS ROUTINE OF EATING, SLEEPING AND WAITING.

HE SAYS THE MEN ARE MISERABLE, THAT IS COMMON TO HEAR THEM CRY THEMSELVES TO SLEEP AT NIGHT AND THE GUARDS ARE CONSTANTLY PRESSURING DETAINEES TO SIGN DEPARTURE FORMS AND ABANDON THEIR CASES BUT AFTER SIX WEEKS, CROWLEY SECURED HIS RELEASE ON BOND.

HE IS STILL PURSUING A POLITICAL ASYLUM CLAIM AND IS DUE BACK IN COURT THE SAME PLANE -- PLACE HE WAS ARRESTED JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO IN SEPTEMBER.

>> YOU CAN FIND MORE STORIES ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE, THAT IS WHERE WE SHARE ALL OF OUR NEWS CONTENT, PODCASTS AND ORIGINAL PROGRAMS, SUBSCRIBE AND GET NOTIFIED WHEN NEW PROGRAMS ARE POSTED.

THIS IS ALSO WHERE WE LIVESTREAMED THE WEEKEND EDITION AT 5:00.

SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER TO GET THE MOST POPULAR STORIES, AND HERE ARE SOME FROM THIS WEEK.

A MAGNET COULD HELP UNLOCK LIMITLESS ENERGY, SKATERS AND FAMILIES FLOCK TO THE NEW FAMILY PARK AND WE WILL HAVE THAT STORY A LITTLE BIT LATER AND WHAT IS NEXT FOR THE HISTORIC CARLSBAD THEATER?

>> RIGHT NOW THE CARLSBAD THEATER SITS VACANT BUT THAT COULD CHANGE SOON, THE THEATER HAS A LONG HISTORY AND SOME RESIDENTS WORRIED IT WOULD CHANGE THE STORES AND RESTAURANTS BUT THE OWNER SAYS THAT IS NOT TRUE.

THE THEATER IS CURRENTLY OWNED BY THE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE GROUP, RPG.

UNTIL RECENTLY, THE PROPERTY WAS LISTED FOR SALE BUT NOW THAT LISTING HAS BEEN REMOVED, THE GOAL IS TO BRING IT BACK TO LIFE AS BOTH A CINEMA AND ENTERTAINMENT VENUE.

THE PLAN IS TO USE THE THEATER FOR LIVE ENTERTAINMENT LIKE STAND UP COMEDY, WORKSHOPS AND EVENTUALLY AN ANNUAL FILM FESTIVAL, IT HAS A RICH HISTORY DATING BACK TO ITS CONSTRUCTION AFTER WORLD WAR I. SEAN JONES IS A LOCAL HISTORY TEACHER, HE WALKS US THROUGH THAT HISTORY IN A VIDEO FROM THE CARLSBAD TELEVISION FOUNDATION.

>> IT WAS BUILT DURING THE 1920S WITH A LOT OF CONFIDENCE IN BUSINESS, THE ROARING 20s WHEN WE WERE HAVING A LOT OF PROSPERITY IN THIS COUNTRY.

IT WAS CLOSED IN THE 1930S DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION.

IT REOPENED IN THE 1940S AND SAW A BOOM IN THE 60s.

>> DURING THE 70s, IT FELL INTO DISREPAIR AND NOW DURING THE 80s AND 90s, IT IS KIND OF A QUESTION WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE CARLSBAD THEATER.

>> Reporter: SOME RESIDENTS EXPRESS CONCERN ABOUT ITS FUTURE.

>> IN A YEAR AND A HALF, THE CARLSBAD THEATER TURNS 100, THAT IS HUGE, RUMOR HAS IT, CHARLIE CHAPLIN SPENT A LOT OF TIME HERE.

SO THAT IS A HISTORICAL NOTE RIGHT THERE.

>> THE RESIDENTS HAVE LIVED THROUGH SOME OF THE THEATER'S HISTORY.

>> EVERYBODY LOVES THIS THEATER, I WENT THERE AS A KID, AS DID MANY OTHERS TO WATCH MOVIES.

THIS COULD BE A GATHERING GROUND FOR PEOPLE TO COME DOWNTOWN AND ENJOY A WHOLE EVENING.

>> Reporter: NOW THAT DREAM MIGHT BECOME A REALITY AND RESIDENTS HAVE PLENTY OF IDEAS ON HOW TO USE THIS NEW SPACE.

>> IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A DREAM TO HAVE THIS THEATER RETURN TO THE GLORY IT ONCE WAS.

>> Reporter: NATE LARSEN THINKS IT'LL BE A GREAT FIT FOR STUDENTS AND MORE EXPERIENCED ENTERTAINERS.

>> I WORK IN AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, I ALSO TEACH, I WORK IN THE ARTS, I ALSO PRODUCE EVENTS AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS GET ME SO EXCITED BECAUSE THIS SPACE COULD BE ALL THOSE THINGS.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THERE IS A BIG NEED FOR THINGS LIKE THE CARLSBAD THEATER.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT REHEARSE AND HAVE CLASSES HERE BUT THEY GO ELSEWHERE FOR THE PERFORMANCES.

A LOT OF THEM HAVE HISTORICALLY USED THIS SPACE FOR THEIR PERFORMANCES AND RECITALS BUT IT HASN'T BEEN AVAILABLE TO THEM FOR A WHILE.

>> Reporter: CHRISTIAN IS THE FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW VILLAGE HISTORIC CENTER, DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM THE CARLSBAD THEATER.

>> WE ALWAYS HOPED WE COULD HAVE THIS INCREDIBLE ARTS DISTRICT RIGHT HERE IN THE HEART OF THE VILLAGE, WITH THE GARDEN CENTER, DOING PROFESSIONAL THEATER ALL YEAR- ROUND AND WITH THE CARLSBAD THEATER, BEATING ABLE TO FILM, JUST IMAGINE THE KIND OF LIFE WE WOULD BRING TO THE VILLAGE.

>> Reporter: THAT NEW LIFE MIGHT WE BE WITHIN REACH SOON.

THEY HOPE TO WELCOME AUDIENCES LATER THIS YEAR.

>>> THERE IS A NEW READING SERIES IN NORTHPARK THAT COMBINES LITERATURE WITH MUSIC AND MOVEMENT, JULIA DIXON EVANS SPEAKS ABOUT THE ALL AGES PARTY.

>> Reporter: BY DAY, IT IS AN AIR-CONDITIONED REFUGE FOR BOOK LOVERS, BROWSING THE SEEMINGLY ENDLESS SUPPLY OF USED BOOKS.

>> THIS IS THE DANCE FLOOR.

>> Reporter: BUT THIS SATURDAY NIGHT, THE PARK TRANSFORMS INTO A PARTY THAT WILL BREAK OUT IN THE KITCHEN.

WE HAVE MUSIC FROM WHITNEY HOUSTON, IT WILL BE LOUD.

>> Reporter: CARLY IS A LOCAL WRITER AND ONE OF THE ORGANIZERS OF DESIRE CALLING, A READING SERIES AND DANCE PARTY.

>> RIGHT NOW WITH EVERYTHING GOING ON, PEOPLE ARE REALLY SEEKING JUST A LITTLE BIT BEYOND NORMAL SMALL TALK AND HEARING POETRY IS REALLY A WAY OF DOING THAT.

>> Reporter: THE LGBTQ+ READERS INCLUDE THE AUTHOR OF A SHARP ENDLESS NEED, THE HOST WANTS TO SEE SAN DIEGO'S LITERARY SCENE CONTINUING TO THRIVE AND GROW BEYOND THE UNUSUAL BOOK COMMUNITY IN NEW WAYS.

>> IT IS HARD TO FIND NEW SPACES WHERE YOU CAN BE AT A DANCE PARTY WITH PEOPLE OF ALL AGES IN A MULTIGENERATIONAL SPACE WITHOUT ALCOHOL SO WE ARE REALLY EXCITED TO CREATE AN ACCESSIBLE SPACE.

>> Reporter: SHE HOPES THAT BY SHARING ART AND MOVEMENT TOGETHER, PEOPLE CAN FIND A CONNECTION.

>> WE WANT PEOPLE TO WALK HOME WITH A SENSE OF BEING MOVED BY THE WORDS THAT THEY HAVE HEARD, A SENSE OF BEING ABLE TO COME OUT INTO THE WORLD AND THERE ARE PEOPLE WAITING THERE FOR THEM.

>> Reporter: A LOCAL NONPROFIT THAT PROVIDES RESOURCES FOR TRANSGENDER AND NON-BINARY YOUTH.

>> JULIA IS ONE OF THE HOSTS OF THE PODCAST, THE FINEST, IT CAPTURES PEOPLE, ART AND MOVEMENT, REDEFINING OUR CULTURAL IDENTITY.

A NEW EPISODE IS OUT THIS WEEK, YOU CAN LISTEN RIGHT NOW AT KPBS .ORG.

>>> IT HAS BEEN A FEW MONTHS SINCE THE ESCONDIDO MAINE PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS BEEN TEMPORARILY RELOCATED AT AN UNCONVENTIONAL LOCATION, THE MALL, THE NEW SPOT MAKES IT MORE CONVENIENT FOR FIRST-TIME AND LONGTIME MOVIEGOERS.

>> THE HOME OF POP MUSIC, COLORFUL RETAIL STORES AND PLENTY OF SHOPPERS AT THE ESCONDIDO WORKSHOP MALL.

AND ON THE FIRST FLOOR THERE IS NEW SIGNAGE FOR SOMETHING A BIT UNEXPECTED.

THE ESCONDIDO LIBRARY.

>> THIS IS THE SECOND TIME AT THIS NEW LOCATION, BUT WE HAVE GONE TO THE OLD LOCATION MANY TIMES.

>> Reporter: HE IS VISITING WITH HIS SON, HE PLANNED TO RUN SOME ERRANDS AT THE MALL, WHILE GOING TO THE LIBRARY.

>> IT IS CLEAN AND ORGANIZED, THE OLD ONE WAS FUN, TOO.

OUR KIDS DO MISS THE COMPUTERS, THEY HAVE GAMES AND PUZZLES, SO THEY ARE DISAPPOINTED THEY DID NOT SEE THAT AT FIRST.

>> Reporter: CLAIRE WAS AT THE MALL, TOO.

SHE CAME FOR A STORYTIME.

>> I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THIS LIBRARY WAS HERE UNTIL I STARTED SEEING THEM ON INSTAGRAM SO I WANTED TO CHECK IT OUT.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THE MALL LOCATION IS CONVENIENT.

>> WHEN PEOPLE ARE SHOPPING AND THEY SEE IT, THEY ARE PROBABLY CURIOUS ABOUT IT, SO I THINK IT IS GREAT.

>> Reporter: IN MAY, THEY MOVED THOUSANDS OF BOOKS AND REPURPOSED THIS SPACE FOR THIS TEMPORARY LIBRARY.

IT HAS BEEN BUSY SO FAR, SAYS THE DIRECTOR.

>> WE HAD ABOUT 20,000 VISITS EACH MONTH, HERE AT THE MALL, JUST LAST MONTH WE PASSED 23,000 VISITORS.

>> Reporter: ALL OF THE SERVICES ARE UP AND RUNNING IN THIS SMALLER SPACE, IT IS ABOUT HALF THE SIZE OF THE DOWNTOWN LOCATION SO THERE IS LESS SEATING AND COMPUTERS AND BOOKS ON DISPLAY.

BUT THE MALL LOCATION HAS LED TO NEW CLIENTELE.

>> WE ARE SEEING MORE YOUNGER FAMILIES COMING TO THE MALL FOR SHOPPING OR ENTERTAINMENT AND THEY ARE ALSO STOPPING BY THE LIBRARY.

WE ALSO SEE A BIG INCREASE IN THE TEEN DEMOGRAPHIC.

>> Reporter: CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY APRIL 2026.

MEANWHILE, HE IS INTERESTED IN KEEPING THE LIBRARY BRANCH AT THE NORTH COUNTY MALL LONG- TERM.

>> THE POLITICAL CHALLENGE OF BUILDING MORE HOMES IN SAN DIEGO GENERATES A LOT OF HEADLINES BUT WHAT ABOUT THE PRACTICAL WORK OF ALL THAT CONSTRUCTION?

A NEW COURSE AT SDSU PROVIDE SOME CLUES.

>> CONSTRUCTION WORK REQUIRES WORKERS, CRANES AND POWER TOOLS BUT WHAT ABOUT ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY?

SAN DIEGO STATE JUST GOT A $4.5 MILLION GRANT TO TRAIN PEOPLE TO WORK IN THE INDUSTRY, PEOPLE WHO COULD FIND WAYS THAT TECHNOLOGY CAN SOLVE SOME PROBLEMS LIKE LOW PRODUCTIVITY.

>> IT HAS ONLY GROWN ABOUT 1% ANNUALLY FOR THE PAST DECADE, THIS IS COMPARED TO THE 2.8% AVERAGE FOR THE ENTIRE ECONOMY, IF YOU WANT TO COMPARE IT WITH MANUFACTURING, THAT NUMBER IS 3.5%.

>> Reporter: HE IS A PROFESSOR OF ENGINEERING AT SAN DIEGO STATE AND PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR FOR THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION GRANT, HE SAID ROBOTS CAN WORK 24/7 AND THEY CAN DO PHYSICAL TASKS THAT WOULD BE UNSAFE FOR HUMANS.

BUT THERE IS A LOT MORE THEY COULD DO.

>> WHEN WE ENVISION THE FUTURE OF WORK, WHERE ROBOTS CAN LAY BRICKS FOR EXAMPLE, WHERE ROBOTS CAN HELP WITH OVERHEAD INSULATION, AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

>> Reporter: ROBOTS ARE ALREADY REVIEWING SITES TO CONSTRUCT LAYOUTS, AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE COULD EFFECTIVELY TAKE OVER PLANNING TASKS IN A WORKSITE OFFICE.

>> CREATING NEW SCHEDULES OR MAYBE ADJUSTING THE SCHEDULE AND HAVING A BETTER ESTIMATE, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT IN THIS INDUSTRY.

ALL OF THESE CAN BE INFLUENCED POSITIVELY BY A.I.

>> Reporter: HE SAID HUMANS STILL PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN CONSTRUCTION AND TECHNOLOGY COULD EMPOWER THEM TO DO A BETTER JOB.

WE CONTACTED THE CARPENTERS UNION FOR A RESPONSE BUT THEY DID NOT COMMENT ON THIS STORY.

THE SDSU TRAINING PROGRAM WOULD ULTIMATELY OFFER A MASTERS DEGREE, THE PROGRAM GUIDE GOES BY AN ACRONYM THAT IS PRONOUNCED CYBER CITY.

>> THERE IS A NEW SPACE FOR KIDS BIG AND SMALL TO JUMP, SKATE AND RUNAROUND, THE NEW VILLAGE PARK OPENED THIS WEEK.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN BRINGS US THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF THE PARK THAT WAS YEARS IN THE MAKING.

>> YOU COULD SAY SOMEWHERE FLIPPING WITH JOY WHEN THIS NEW SEVEN ACRE PARK OPENED TODAY.

IT WAS YEARS IN THE MAKING.

>> WE DID THE GROUNDBREAKING TWO YEARS AGO.

>> Reporter: BUT THE PLANNING STARTED FIVE YEARS AGO WHEN SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOUGHT THE LAND, THE COUNTY SUPERVISOR SAYS THE PARK IS WHAT RESIDENTS ASKED FOR.

>> YOU KNOW WHAT YOU NEED AND YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO DO, I WILL GET YOU THE MONEY AND WE WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: A HIGHLIGHT OF THE PARK IS THIS, THE SKATE PARK, IT IS SOMETHING THIS FOURTH- GRADER HAS BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO FOR THE PAST YEAR.

>> THE WALLS ARE INSANE, I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A SKATE PARK IN MY HOMETOWN, I WOULD BE DRIVING AROUND EVERY DAY WHERE I COULD CHECK IT OUT, IT WOULD BE SO COOL.

>> Reporter: HE'S NOT THE ONLY ONE, DOZENS OF KIDS ARE HERE TODAY.

HE SAYS THE SKATE PARK IS SOMETHING THIS GROUP HAS BEEN ASKING FOR FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS.

>> IT'S THE FIRST STEP, WE HAVE NEEDED THIS PARK FOR A LONG TIME BUT WE NEEDED MORE.

SO NOW THAT THIS IS HERE AND THE CONCRETE IS POURED, I'M READY TO START CAMPAIGNING FOR THE NEXT ONE.

>> Reporter: THIS PARK IS HUGE, IN ADDITION, THERE ARE TWO DOG PARKS AND PLENTY OF OPEN SPACES.

>> THIS WAS SO NEEDED HERE.

>> Reporter: JESSE LIVES 10 MINUTES AWAY FROM THE PARK, SHE SAYS KIDS NEED A PLACE TO PLAY.

>> I HAD SO MUCH TO DO, ESPECIALLY FOR THE TEENAGERS, THERE WERE DANCE CLUBS THEY COULD GO TO, THESE KIDS NEED THIS.

THEY CAN SKATE AND EXERCISE AND DO THINGS OTHER THAN STAY HOME AND PLAY VIDEO GAMES.

>> WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK, I'M MAYA TRABULSI , THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.