Three weeks ago, inewsource covered the drastic drop in funding for the Port of San Diego’s Capital Improvement Program — from $124 million for the 2009-2013 budget down to slightly more than $6 million for the 2014-2018 budget. The CIP is the port’s set-aside fund that is used for things like road upgrades, parks, demolition projects, and other improvements.
Port administration held a public workshop on June 7 at the Broadway Pavilion to review and approve funding (out of the $6 million) for future CIP projects. These projects aren’t just for maritime business — some of them impact the port’s five member cities of Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego.
The commissioners heard from the public, who came representing economic, environmental, and community organizations to voice support for individual projects. It wasn’t long before Robert Valderrama, the port commissioner who represents National City, said what everyone was thinking:
“There were 88 projects submitted,” he said, “and we’ve got $6 million. So obviously, we’ve got a problem.”
The board’s final decision was to fund only the “high” and “medium” priority projects — a total of 14.
We have broken the projects down by geographic area, along with a link to more information for each, as well as a map of the exact locations (if possible).
Coronado
Two projects for a total of $670,000:
-A new boat launch and self-cleaning station at Glorietta Bay ($470,000) pdf
-New signs to direct people toward port facilities, scattered throughout the city. (locations not yet determined) ($200,000) pdf
Chula Vista
One project for $1,000,000:
-Preliminary design work for the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan, a projected $62 million development project currently pending approval from the California Coastal Commission. pdf
Imperial Beach
Four projects for $625,000, including one shared with San Diego:
-New playground equipment for the Pier Plaza facility. ($100,000) pdf
-A restroom and shower facility along South Seacoast Drive ($75,000) pdf
-The establishment of a comprehensive program for street end improvements at Ebony, Admiralty, Descanso, Cortez, Beach, Elkwood, and Encanto Avenues ($200,000) pdf
-Short term aesthetic improvements made to Pond 20 (shared with San Diego) ($300,000) pdf
National City
One project for $175,000:
-Street resurfacing and repair for Tidelands Avenue from the intersection of Civic Center Drive to the intersection of Bay Marina Drive and Civic Center Drive from Harbor Drive to Tidelands Avenue. pdf
San Diego
There is one project for $50,000:
-Studying concept of an installation of a hand launch (canoes, kayaks, etc) watercraft storage, launching, and training facility at Cesar Chavez Park. pdf
The four remaining projects are port-related:
-Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal Phase II demolition ($500,000) pdf
-Construction of a “mooring dolphin” — a cluster of pilings for cruise ship docking — at the end of the B Street Pier ($400,000) pdf
-Crosby Street Pier Modernization & Tenth Avenue Staff Relocation — conditional on the Port’s being awarded the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration contract ($2,800,000) pdf
-Pre-design for the construction of a new baggage facility on B Street Pier ($200,000) pdf
The staff will review projects with member cities regarding the projects’ prioritization in the near future, and bring back those considerations to the Board for consideration. According to Michelle Ganon, the port’s director of marketing and communications, there will be an updated review of the CIP at an unspecified future date.
Do you agree with the port’s decisions for “high” and “medium” priority projects, or would you rather see your city’s portion of the $6 million go to other projects?
