Someone San Diego Should Know: Marco Li Mandri

Li Mandri rebuilt Little Italy

Marco Li Mandri led the effort that brought San Diego's Little Italy back from a struggling neighborhood of parking lots to a thriving community with six public piazzas and a vibrant business district.

Key points Li Mandri rebuilt Little Italy
  1. Marco Li Mandri led the effort that brought San Diego's Little Italy back from a struggling neighborhood of parking lots to a thriving community with six public piazzas and a vibrant business district.
  2. He returned in 1993, helped form the Little Italy Association in 1995, and served as its chief executive for 30 years before stepping down in 2024.
  3. The neighborhood Festa grew from one block to 150,000 visitors in a day, and the association now maintains trees, sidewalks, parks and major events year-round.
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Reported by

San Diego Union-Tribune

sandiegouniontribune.com

San Diego County, CA

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