Port of San Diego

Board of Port Commissioners to Review Proposed Projects for Capital Improvement Program

bmoreno@portofsandiego.org (Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216) — Fri, 25 May 2012 16:43:58 +0000

Suggested projects for the Port of San Diego's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for FY 2014 – 2018 will be discussed and reviewed by the Board of Port Commissioners at an upcoming workshop/special meeting on Thursday, June 7.

A report containing the proposals and funding options has been prepared in advance of the workshop.

Read the CIP Report

Representatives of Port member city agencies proposed 40 of the projects, 16 were recommended projects from the public and 13 came from Port of San Diego staff.

The June 7 meeting will be held at the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. (or upon conclusion of business.) This is the second workshop/special meeting held on the CIP. The Board will consider projects proposed for the fiscal years 2014-2018 Capital Improvement Program, and will evaluate projects based on alignment with the District's strategic goals and objectives.

A public outreach meeting on the CIP is scheduled for Thursday, May 31, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Training Room of the Port's Administration Building, 3165 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA. This will be an informational meeting which will include:

An opportunity for the public to ask questions and learn more about the new CIP process
An opportunity for the public to offer suggestions for improvements on Board Policy 120 CIP process for moving forward in future years
Outline the anticipated format for the June 7 CIP Workshop/Special Meeting

Individual projects will not be discussed at the information meeting. Project specific discussions will be addressed at the June 7 workshop.

Any questions on the report or the Port's CIP process should be directed to the Port's CIP email address: portcip@portofsandiego.org.

Examples of CIP projects include improvements on the Port's marine terminals, improved roadways, public boat ramps, security systems, new parks, and environmental mitigation. CIP projects do not include major maintenance.

This is the first year that the Port is implementing a new policy addressing how capital improvement projects are planned and developed. The District is encouraging feedback from the public regarding the new process.

In 2011, the Board of Port Commissioners revised Board Policy 120, which guides the process for identifying projects to include in the Capital Improvement Program. The goal of the new policy is to ensure that capital improvement projects and budgets align with the Port's mission, vision and strategic goals.

About the Port:

The Port oversees two maritime cargo terminals, two cruise ship terminals, 17 public parks, the Harbor Police Department, and the leases of more than 600 tenant and sub tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.

Port of San Diego Launches New Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan Website, Social Media

Thu, 24 May 2012 21:59:47 +0000

In collaboration with the City of Chula Vista, the Port of San Diego today launched a new website to provide accurate, detailed information about the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan (CVBMP) project. The website, CVbayfront.com is intended to provide easy access to key information about the project. It identifies key supporters, milestones achieved, and local and regional benefits and opportunities. The information at CVBayfront.com is supported by official master plan documentation and other technical reports on the Port of San Diego and City of Chula Vista websites.

To further engage residents, the Port also launched Facebook and Twitter accounts to provide another way for residents and others to receive current information about the project. Together, these new components will provide a comprehensive understanding of the CVBMP and its progress toward approval by the California Coastal Commission.

“As this important project moves closer to becoming a reality, we recognized the need for an engaging, useful website that meets the needs of both those just learning about the Bayfront Plan and those who have been involved with the project for years,” said Port of San Diego Commissioner Ann Moore. “We'll keep everyone informed on the project's progress with regular updates to the website and through Facebook and Twitter postings.”

The CVBMP was jointly developed by the Port of San Diego, the City of Chula Vista and Pacifica Companies, and transforms 556 acres of underutilized industrial property on the waterfront into a thriving world-class residential and resort destination on San Diego Bay. It is the result of an extensive planning process with input from a Citizens Advisory Committee and more than 100 public meetings. It provides greater balance between industrial and recreational opportunities in the South Bay. More than 40 percent of the project area is dedicated to parks, open space and habitat restoration/preservation.

Not only does the project offer new recreational opportunities, it also creates and sustains new jobs and business opportunities, and will provide a much-needed economic boost to the region. In the project’s first 20 years, it will generate approximately $1.3 billion for the regional economy, including more than $11.5 million in annual tax revenues.

“Momentum for the bayfront plan is building, following unanimous approval of the finance agreement earlier this month by the Board of Port Commissioners and the Chula Vista City Council,” said Chula Vista City Manager Jim Sandoval. “It has taken 10 years to get us to this point and it is good to see how the partnership between the Port and City, coupled with broad community support continues to move us closer to the ultimate goal. I commend the staff on both sides for their outstanding work.”

About the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan

At 556 acres, the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan (CVBMP) will transform Chula Vista’s underused industrial bayfront landscape into a thriving residential and world-class waterfront resort destination. The Plan will establish thousands of new jobs, create new public parks, protect natural coastal resources, provide conference and visitor-serving amenities and build an important asset for the San Diego region, the South Bay, Chula Vista residents and coastal visitors. The CVBMP is the result of a decade-long joint planning effort by a broad coalition of stakeholders, the Port of San Diego, the City of Chula Vista and Pacifica Companies. The Plan represents the last significant development opportunity in Southern California and is anticipated to be considered by the California Coastal Commission in summer 2012.

About the Port

The Port of San Diego is the fourth largest of the 11 ports in California. It was created by the state legislature in 1962 and spans five Port cities – Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego. The Port oversees two maritime cargo terminals, two cruise ship terminals, 17 public parks, the Harbor Police Department and the leases of more than 600 tenant and sub tenant businesses around San Diego Bay. The Port of San Diego is an economic engine, an environmental steward of San Diego Bay and the surrounding tidelands, and a provider of community services and public safety.

About the City of Chula Vista

The City of Chula Vista is located at the center of one of the richest cultural, economic and environmentally diverse zones in the United States. It is the second-largest City in San Diego County with a population of nearly 250,000. Chula Vista boasts more than 50 square miles of coastal landscape, canyons, rolling hills, mountains, and a variety of natural resources and quality infrastructure. Established neighborhoods, contemporary communities, start-up firms, corporations, nationally recognized entertainment venues, the nation’s only warm-weather Olympic Training Center, an award winning nature center and a historic downtown all contribute to Chula Vista’s attraction for both families and businesses.

“Unconditional Surrender” Leaves San Diego Waterfront After Memorial Day

jgilmore@portofsandiego.org (John Gilmore (619) 686-6222, (619) 686-7206) — Thu, 24 May 2012 17:00:18 +0000

Since 2007, "Unconditional Surrender," the 25-foot sculpture of a sailor kissing a nurse during a celebration of the end of World War II, has attracted tourists and residents, many of whom do their best to replicate the famous kiss. On Wednesday, May 30, 2012, workers will begin moving the sculpture from its waterfront site near the USS Midway Museum.

Art handlers provided by The Sculpture Foundation, which owns "Unconditional Surrender," will use a crane and a man-lift to remove the 6,000-pound sculpture and its 24,000 pound steel base. The Sculpture Foundation, Inc. is a charitable and educational organization dedicated to providing exhibitions and contemporary landmark public artworks for communities.

Two flat-bed truck-trailers will transport the sculpture from its San Diego location south of the USS Midway Museum to the artist's studio in Hamilton, New Jersey, where it will be restored.

The work on San Diego's waterfront is expected to be completed by Thursday, May 31, 2012.

"Unconditional Surrender" may not be gone for long. A $1 million fundraising effort to replace the sculpture with a new bronze version of Seward Johnson's artwork is being spearheaded by the USS Midway Museum. The museum will provide an update on its fundraising campaign at a free veterans remembrance ceremony on the Midway's Flight Deck, Saturday, May 26, beginning at 9 a.m.

In March, the Board of Port Commissioners conditionally agreed to accept a local group's offer to donate a bronze version of the sculpture to the Port of San Diego. Though bronze, the sculpture will appear identical in coloration to the piece that has been on exhibition. In addition to the new sculpture, the donation provides for landscaping, lighting and a maintenance endowment.

About the Port:

Port, Member Cities, County Proclaim May 22 Maritime Day in San Diego

bmoreno@portofsandiego.org (Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216) — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:30:47 +0000

San Diego's maritime industry and the men and women of the region's Working Waterfront are being celebrated on Tuesday, May 22, as the Port of San Diego, along with its five member cities of San Diego, Coronado, Chula Vista, National City and Imperial Beach, officially recognize National Maritime Day.

Maritime Day was established by Congress in 1933 and honors those in the U.S. maritime industry who handle imports, exports and domestic cargo shipments. It also honors those who assist in the movement of millions of annual cruise passengers, military shipments and the merchant mariners who serve the country each day.

The Port, the County of San Diego and all five member cities issued proclamations recognizing Maritime Day.

The Port of San Diego hosted a special breakfast on Tuesday, May 15 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. California State Controller John Chiang was among a panel of speakers who addressed more than 300 people who attended. Employees of various maritime businesses were honored as well.

"This is a maritime city," San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders told the audience. "We rely on cargo vessels to transport steel for ship building, lumber to build our homes, and for those of you who drove an import, it probably came from the National City Marine Terminal."

A four-member panel including Richard Lambros, Managing Director of the Southern California Leadership Council; George Pasha IV – Chief Executive Officer, The Pasha Group; Rear Admiral Dixon Smith, Commander, Navy Region Southwest and Captain Sean Mahoney, U.S. Coast Guard also stressed the importance of the maritime industry.

"Your port is critical to the region's economy," Lambrose said. "California is absolutely the international trade leader. Our ports are part of a vital, cost efficient, global shipping network and they provide a gateway to the dynamic economies of the Pacific Rim."

Lambrose said the Port of San Diego ranks in the top third of the 360 ports in the United States. San Diego is also the fourth largest of California's deepwater ports.

"In 2011, San Diego customs district accounted for $52.6 billion in total trade value," he said. "It's needless to say, this (port) is an important (economic) engine."

Port Business

Chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners Lou Smith stressed the importance of San Diego and the nation's port system.

"Deep water ports are the lynchpin for the economic success of this state and nation. They are essential," said Chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners Lou Smith.

"Our deep water berth in San Diego is priceless and irreplaceable. California's 11 ports are crucial to this state's economy, and so are the manufacturing, retail and wholesale trade, construction, transportation and warehousing sectors that are part of the supply network. Our Port provides good paying jobs for hard working San Diego families."

The Port of San Diego's two deep-water marine cargo terminals provide customized service.

The Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal is 96 acres and is a key import facility for wind turbine products, bananas and other perishables, cement, fertilizer, steel, sand, along with jet, bunker and diesel fuels. Dole, CEMEX and Searles Valley are anchor tenants. More than 185 million bananas pass through Tenth Avenue each month.

The National City Marine Terminal is 125 acres. Pasha Automotive Services, which processes automobiles, has a lease through 2030. Space near the terminal is used as a staging area for automobiles and lumber arriving from the Pacific Northwest. In 2010, more than 273,000 automobiles, 1 in 10 imported cars on our nation's highways, came through the Port.

Throughout the year, cargo arrives from Asia, Europe, India, Central America and South America. Outbound cargo is shipped to Asia, India, Central America and South America.

Additionally, the Port is actively working to attract new business. Ongoing efforts have resulted in new cargo arriving from Asia and Latin America.

The Port District's maritime staff and the union's administration have partnered in joint marketing and trade efforts to expand and sustain the Port's maritime business.

Strategic Port

The Port of San Diego is one of only 17 strategic ports in the United States as identified by the U.S. Transportation Command.

In its role, the Port District provides the infrastructure and services necessary to support military deployment activities in terms of shipping vehicles and military equipment into and out of the United States.

"In the last two years, 18.4 million pounds of unit cargo has gone through the Tenth Avenue and National City Marine Terminals," said Dixon. "That ranks the Port of San Diego number six out of the 17 strategic ports throughout the United States. It also ranks the Port of San Diego as the number one strategic port on the West Coast."

Dixon also spoke of the importance of the Working Waterfront, shipyards and maritime industry businesses that are important.

General Dynamics/NASSCO imported 7,000 tons of steel through the Port of San Diego to build ships for the Navy last year, Dixon said.

"It comes down to being able to repair and maintain the ships where we live," Dixon said.

The Port of San Diego is also a partner in homeland and port security.

"The Coast Guard built a multi-million joint harbor operations center (JHOC) on Harbor Drive," said Mahoney. "We are thrilled to have the Port of San Diego participate in the JHOC. We have port security camera operators there. That provides tremendous situational awareness for our people.

The Coast Guard and the Port work together on a variety of missions, from search and rescue, law enforcement, port security and pollution response.

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About the Port:

Public Meeting Set for Capital Improvement Program

bmoreno@portofsandiego.org (Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216) — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:19:21 +0000

Members of the public are encouraged to attend an upcoming Port of San Diego workshop to discuss its Capital Improvement Program (CIP).

The CIP is a program that includes projects that enhance maritime terminal operations, public parks and other Port facilities or public amenities.

The public outreach meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 31, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Training Room of the Port's Administration Building, 3165 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA. The meeting will focus on the CIP process proposed for fiscal years 2014-2018.

Projects within that five-year time period are set to be reviewed by the Board of Port Commissioners at a workshop/special meeting scheduled for Thursday, June 7.

The meeting will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. The Board will review the proposed projects and discuss funding options. The meeting location and agenda will be posted on the Port's website prior to the meeting.

The June 7 meeting is the second of two workshops/special meetings held in the spring of 2012 to discuss the CIP.

Read Frequently Asked Questions

The first workshop was held April 4, 2012 and reviewed on the existing program, fiscal year 2009-2013 CIP.

In 2011, the Board of Port Commissioners revised Board Policy 120, which guides the process for identifying projects to include in the Capital Improvement Program. The goal of the new policy is to ensure that capital improvement projects and budgets align with the Port's mission, vision and strategic goals.

The Port asked for public input earlier this year on the new five-year, fiscal year 2014-2018 CIP.

The Port received 40 suggested projects from representatives of various Port member city agencies, 16 recommended projects from the public and 13 from Port of San Diego staff.

Examples of CIP projects include improvements on the Port's marine terminals, improved roadways, public boat ramps, security systems, new parks, and environmental mitigation. CIP projects do not include major maintenance.

About the Port:

Trainers, Fitness Experts to Lead Free Big Bay Boot Camp on San Diego Bay

dfrost@portofsandiego.org (Dale Frost (619) 686-6222, (619) 686-6461) — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:39:34 +0000

The public is invited to work out at free fitness events at four Port of San Diego waterfront parks on Sunday, May 20, 2012.

Popular trainers and fitness experts from throughout the region will lead classes from 7 a.m. to noon during the Port of San Diego's Big Bay Boot Camp event.

The nearly 100 classes offered include Yoga, Zumba, Pilates and Core Power Training. Activities are open to all ages and fitness levels.

The classes – held simultaneously – are in the Port cities of Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego.

"We are delighted that more than two dozen of the area's top-rated boot camps and trainers have committed to the Big Bay Boot Camp," said Lou Smith, Chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners.

Parking is available at each of the parks: North Embarcadero Marina Park in San Diego, Pepper Park in National City, Bayside Park in Chula Vista and Pier Plaza in Imperial Beach.

Schedule of Big Bay Boot Camp classes:

San Diego: Embarcadero Marina Park North

Grinder Gym: Strength training with high paced cardio at 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Mission Fit Camp: Circuit training with cardio at 7:15 a.m., 8:15 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 10:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
Urban Body Gym: Multiple types of hard core boot camps at 7:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m
Gut Check: Hard core boot camps with fun apparatuses at 7:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.
ScCal Fi Body Boot camp: Boot camps – weight loss and body toning at 7:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m, 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Bootique Fitness: Zumba(Z) and women-only boot camps. Zumba is at 8:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Boot camps are at 9 a.m., 9:45 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Aire Urban Fitness: Full body circuit with core and cardio at 7:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m.
La Jolla Yoga Center: Yoga at 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

National City: Pepper Park

Athletes for Education: Fitness and agility sessions with professional athletes for ages 8 to 14 at 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.
Prevail Fitness Training: Boxing for all ages and workouts for seniors. Senior workout classes are at 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Boxing is at 9:00 am.
KOR: Kettlebell fitness at 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Wired Fitness: Body weight based bootcamps at 7:30 a.m., 8:45 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
Fit: MAT and hard core boot camps at 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
The Pilates Room: Pilates for all ages is at 7:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 10:00 a.m.

Chula Vista: Bayside Park

Alliance Training Center: Self-defense workouts at 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Extreme Fitness: Kettlebell/TRX Boot camp at 7:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Core Power Training: Core and Functional Training at 7:15 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Yoga One: Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga. Hatha Yoga is at 8:00 a.m. and Vinyasa Yoga is at 10:00 a.m.
Adam Winter Lifestyle: Movement style workouts featuring medicine balls and swiss balls at 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m, 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
BeFitLifestyle: Circuit style sessions at 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Island Fitness: F.I.T. and Zumba. F.I.T. is at 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Zumba is at 11:00 a.m.

Imperial Beach: Pier Plaza

B Cubed Fitness: Boot camps for beginners, kids and advanced. Beginners class is at 7:30 a.m., kids class is at 9:00 a.m. and an advanced class is at 10:30 a.m.
Crossfit 619: Strength Training is at 7:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
Leah Francis Fitness: Boot camps with a yoga twist at 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
The San Diego Boot Camp; Boot camps for kids and all ages. All ages classes are at 7:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. Kids classes are at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
San Diego Fit Camp: TRX with interval and cardio training at 7:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Body By Mags: Yoga boot camp at 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Class participants are asked to bring their own water and snacks, wear appropriate workout clothes and shoes and bring a workout towel, beach towel and/or mat.

Classes are filled on a first-come, first served basis.

All participants are required to sign a release waiver. They will then receive a wristband that allows admittance to a class. Participants under the age of 18 must have a waiver signed by a guardian to participate.

The Big Bay Boot Camp is part of the Port of San Diego's plan to enliven the San Diego Bay waterfront with diverse community events, ranging from concerts and dances to festivals, fitness offerings and eco-tourism celebrations.

The goal of the waterfront activation plan is to create a vibrant waterfront that offers year-round activities for residents and visitors of the region to enjoy the Port's five member cities, along with their parks and open spaces along San Diego Bay.

About the Port:

Draft EIR for San Diego Convention Center Expansion, Hotel Project Available

melicone@portofsandiego.org (Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6281) — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:56:51 +0000

The Port of San Diego has prepared a draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the San Diego Convention Center Phase III Expansion and Expansion Hotel project. The EIR is available for public comment for 45 days through Friday, June 29, 2012.

The proposed Convention Center expansion would add approximately 220,150 square feet of exhibit hall space, approximately 101,500 square feet of meeting rooms and approximately 78,470 square feet of ballroom space to the existing facility.

Public amenities include a five-acre rooftop park/plaza. It would be accessible to the public with lighted paths, seating areas, an open lawn/performance area and several observation vistas. Spaces on the rooftop park/plaza would range from grand areas where events can take place to more intimate, contemplative areas.

Read the Draft Environmental Impact Report

The proposed project also includes pedestrian promenades, up to 42,500 square feet of visitor-serving retail areas and a relocated water transportation center that would accommodate ticket offices, marina offices and public restrooms.

Park Boulevard would be shifted so that it would be closer to the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel and Convention Way would be shifted towards the bay. A pedestrian walkway would be constructed along Park Boulevard to provide pedestrian circulation between Harbor Drive and the bay.

The San Diego Convention Center Corporation is committed to using sustainable construction practices and a number of sustainable design features are being proposed. These include a high-efficiency lighting system, using a high-performance glazing that reduces the amount of solar heat allowed into the buildings and expanding the capacity of the existing central plant to provide for additional cooling and heating needs. Additionally, other sustainable features would be low-water plumbing fixtures, natural ventilation, recycling and composting and other environmentally-responsible practices.

The hotel expansion component of the project would consist of a new guestroom tower, and ballroom/meeting facility for the existing Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel. The anticipated size of the expansion is about 500,000 square feet. A maximum of 500 guestrooms would be included in the expansion, along with meeting and support spaces, retail, and a 10,000 square-foot fitness/spa facility.

The hotel tower would be located to the north of the existing Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel tower, in the space bounded to the northwest by the hotel's entrance ramp, to the southeast by the existing seven-story parking garage and to the southwest by the Hilton's driveway. The site is too narrow to accommodate the entire footprint of the new tower, so a portion would cantilever over the existing hotel ramp and parking garage.

The hotel expansion project has been registered with the U.S. Green Building Council and would achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. Elements that would qualify the project for LEED certification include bicycle storage for employees and guests, a stormwater design that reduces runoff and improves water quality, light-colored roofs and hardscaping to save energy, high-efficiency irrigation plants, high-efficiency plumbing features, recycled construction waste, using recycled and regional materials, the use of low-volatile organic compound materials to improve the indoor air quality and a sustainability education program, using signage and a walking tour.

Comments should be mailed to:

San Diego Unified Port District
Environmental & Land Use Management Department
3165 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101

The Port of San Diego is the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act for the project's EIR.

About the Port:

State Controller to Speak at Port of San Diego’s Maritime Day Breakfast

Mon, 14 May 2012 21:47:09 +0000

California State Controller John Chiang will address more than 400 people who are expected to attend the Port of San Diego’s Maritime Day breakfast on Tuesday, May 15, 2012, which is among the activities that will take place this month to celebrate the men and women who work in the maritime industry.

The event, “Maritime, Rising to the Occasion,” will be held at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The breakfast is among the activities that will take place this month to celebrate the men and women who work in the maritime shipping industry.

Port of San Diego Maritime Fact Sheet (109.53 kB)

National Maritime Day is celebrated May 22, 2012, and honors those in the U.S. maritime industry who handle imports, exports and domestic cargo shipments. It also honors those who assist in the movement of millions of annual cruise passengers, military shipments and the merchant mariners who serve the country each day.

Besides Chiang, who is a member of the California State Lands Commission, Port of San Diego President/CEO Wayne Darbeau, Board of Port Commissioners Chairman Lou Smith and San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders are scheduled to speak. Commissioner Lee Burdick will recognize outstanding maritime industry employees.

The morning will feature four panelists, who will discuss the economic importance of maritime, the national and global system of goods movement by ships, and the role of the U.S. Navy and the Coast Guard in the San Diego region.

The panelists are Richard Lambros, Managing Director of the Southern California Leadership Council; George Pasha IV – Chief Executive Officer, The Pasha Group; Rear Admiral Dixon Smith, Commander, Navy Region Southwest and Captain Sean Mahoney, U.S. Coast Guard.

In addition, KUSI News will be broadcasting live from the Hilton Bayfront Hotel with interviews on the Port's maritime industry along with the military's role in the region. The newscast will run from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The Port District also is offering free bay and bus tours, some of which are full. Details on the tours may be found by visiting portofsandiego.org/tours.

About the Port:

North Embarcadero Visionary Plan JPA Meeting Set for May 17

melicone@portofsandiego.org (Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6281) — Fri, 11 May 2012 23:28:26 +0000

The Joint Powers Authority (JPA) for the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan will meet at 2 p.m., Thursday, May 17, 2012. The meeting will be held in the Boardroom of the Port of San Diego's Administration Building, 3165 Pacific Highway, San Diego.

The agenda for the meeting will include a construction update, information on a planned shuttle that will service the embarcadero area, an update on the Port Master Plan Amendment and the schedule for future meetings.

JPA Meeting Agenda - May 17 (63.48 kB)

The North Embarcadero Visionary Plan Phase I is part of a comprehensive project to beautify the waterfront and create new public open space that welcomes residents and tourists. The project also includes significant improvements to roadways, utilities and storm water systems.

When completed, a 105-foot wide esplanade will adorn the waterfront. The esplanade will have formal gardens, plazas, shade pavilions and a waterfront promenade that will allow downtown residents, workers and visitors to stroll, jog, cycle, enjoy public events or just relax.

Construction began on January 5, 2012. Currently the contractor, USS Cal Builders, is installing utilities and constructing the new North Harbor Drive roadway.

The public can also be notified of construction updates via email subscription.

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About the Port:

Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan Financing Agreement Approved

Thu, 10 May 2012 21:43:18 +0000

On May 8, 2012, the Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners and the Chula Vista City Council unanimously approved the financing agreement for the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan (CVBMP).

Following a decade-long community participation and planning process, the actions taken by both governing bodies are the first steps in implementing a plan designed to transform 556 acres of Chula Vista's underused industrial bayfront landscape into a thriving residential and resort destination on San Diego Bay.

Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan Fact Sheet (68.4 kB)

"The terms of the financing agreement reinforce the feasibility of this important project," said Port of San Diego Commissioner Ann Moore. "The unanimous votes underscore the Port of San Diego and City of Chula Vista's alignment and focus on our end goal – a world-class bayfront."

The financing agreement formalizes the ongoing partnership between the Port and City, and identifies revenues necessary for infrastructure improvements that will provide public access to Chula Vista's waterfront, and protect key habitat areas. Following approval of the CVBMP by the California Coastal Commission, the Port and the City will collaborate on the preparation of an updated market study, which will be used to create a future Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to select a developer for the project.

"The agreement by the Port and the City of Chula Vista is another milestone in what has been a deliberate and thoughtful process to establish a sustainable plan for our bayfront, which is in great need of improvement," said Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox. "The goal has been to balance economic development with environmental preservation, and now we have taken another significant step."

The CVBMP is expected to create and sustain thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in investment and revenues for the South Bay region and it will provide a much-needed economic benefit to the businesses located on the two existing yacht marinas. In the project's first 20 years, the plan should generate approximately $1.3 billion for the regional economy, including more than $11.5 million in annual tax revenues. It also will create more than 2,200 permanent jobs, nearly 7,000 construction jobs and numerous indirect jobs.

Approximately 230 acres (more than 40 percent) of the project's total acreage is dedicated to parks, open space and habitat restoration/preservation; with 130 acres identified for new publicly accessible parks and open space. These areas will include promenades, bike trails and other public access areas linking the entire bayfront. A 46-acre "Signature Park," also is a major element of the plan.

The financing agreement announcement follows the recent news that Dynegy South Bay, Inc. selected a contractor to demolish the above-ground structures of the non-operating South Bay Power Plant, which is currently located on Port of San Diego tidelands and located inside the boundaries of the CVBMP site. Additionally, during the closed session portion of the Board of Port Commissioner's meeting on May 8, the Board directed staff to negotiate an amendment to the Marine Group Boat Works, LLC (Marine Group) lease, provided that the amendment to the lease is brought back to the Board for approval by its July 12, 2012 meeting.

About the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan:

At 556 acres, the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan (CVBMP) will transform Chula Vista's underused industrial bayfront landscape into a thriving residential and world-class waterfront resort destination. The Plan will establish thousands of new jobs, create new public parks, protect natural coastal resources, provide conference and visitor-serving amenities and build an important asset for the San Diego region, the South Bay, Chula Vista residents and coastal visitors. The CVBMP is the result of a decade-long joint planning effort by a broad coalition of stakeholders, the Port of San Diego, the City of Chula Vista and Pacifica Companies. The Plan represents the last significant development opportunity in Southern California and is anticipated to be considered by the California Coastal Commission in summer 2012.

About the Port:

The Port of San Diego is the fourth largest of the 11 ports in California. It was created by the state legislature in 1962. Since then, it has invested millions of dollars in public improvements in its five member cities – Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego. The Port oversees two maritime cargo terminals, two cruise ship terminals, 17 public parks, the Harbor Police Department, and the leases of more than 600 tenant and sub tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.

About the City of Chula Vista:

Established neighborhoods, contemporary communities, start-up firms, corporations, nationally recognized entertainment venues, the nation's only warm-weather Olympic Training Center, an award winning nature center and a historic downtown all contribute to Chula Vista's attraction for both families and businesses.