Real Estate

Port of San Diego Attractions Recognized as 'Best in Class'

dfrost@portofsandiego.org (Dale Frost (619) 686-6461) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:29:46 +0000

The USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, Hornblower Cruises & Events, North and South Embarcadero Marina Parks and the waterfront San Diego Convention Center were recognized as “Best in Class” by event planners and readers of Southern California Meetings + Events magazine. Results were published in the just-released Fall 2009 issue.

“Being known as the 'best of' in the hospitality industry is a powerful statement,” said Jim Bergeson, President/CEO of Tiger Oak Publications/Meetings & Events Media Group.

The USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, which opened in 2004 along the North Embarcadero, was named the best coastal attraction. Event planners noted that the deck of the historic carrier, which offers a panoramic view of San Diego Bay and downtown, is a spectacular special event venue.

Hornblower Cruises & Events was named best in the boats category. For more than 30 years, Hornblower has operated a variety of vessels that cruise San Diego Bay while occasions including weddings and other celebrations occur onboard. Departing from the North Embarcadero, Hornblower also offers regularly scheduled bay tours.

The waterfront North and South Embarcadero Marina Parks were recognized as best outdoor venue. Voters noted that the North Embarcadero Marina Park is conveniently located adjacent to Seaport Village. The walkway that connects the parks to the convention center and waterfront hotels was complimented for providing an easy and pleasant way for conventioneers to arrive at special events that are often held in these 11-acre parks.

The 2.6-million square foot San Diego Convention Center was awarded best convention center. Its location on the San Diego bay front, the nearly 526,000 square feet of contiguous ground level space and the 90,000-square-feet of column-free space in the rooftop Sails Pavilion was praised.

The attractions captured first place during the publications’ Readers Choice Best Of Awards competition.

Voters included more than 10,000 event and hospitality professionals that rated attractions located from Santa Barbara to San Diego, and inland to Palm Springs.

For more information on San Diego Bay attractions, restaurants and hotels, visit theBigBay.com.

Ruocco Park Meeting to Feature Park Design and Modifications Resulting from Public Input

melicone@portofsandiego.org ( Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:28:19 +0000

A third public meeting on the progress of the Ruocco Park design will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, November 2 at the Embarcadero Planning Center, 585 Harbor Lane in San Diego (map).

Ruocco Park is a 3.3 acre park planned for the southwest corner of West Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway on the former Harbor Seafood Mart site, north of Seaport Village. The park’s lead designer and landscape architect is Dennis Otsuji of ONA, Inc., a San Diego firm that provides services in landscape architecture, urban design and land planning. The Stephen Birch Aquarium and NTC/Liberty Station are two examples of the firm’s projects.

At the meeting, Otsuji, along with staff from the Port of San Diego, will present a summary of how the design of the park has evolved as the result of public input. Input received at the two previous public meetings includes a desire for contemplative space as well as areas where people can engage in active recreation. Participants have also expressed the need to integrate the project with its surrounding waterfront development.

Otsuji will present a newly revised design that addresses these concerns. The new design features open space for activities, events and gatherings as well as seating, tables and spaces for more passive pursuits. The design also includes opportunities for public art and different types of plants. The plants and landscaping will include drought tolerant plants.

After the public meeting, the park’s design will go before the Board of Port Commissioners in December. Following that, a fourth public meeting focusing on the park’s art concept will be held in early 2010.

Ruocco Park will be jointly funded by the Port of San Diego and $3.5 million in grant funding received from the Lloyd and Ilse Ruocco Fund. Lloyd was a noted San Diego architect and considered the father of the modern architectural movement in San Diego. His wife was a professor of art at San Diego State University and a distinguished interior designer. Together, they established a trust fund to provide money for building and maintaining a park in the central area of San Diego.

San Diego’s Big Bay Hotels Earn 2010 AAA Four Diamond Award

bmoreno@portofsandiego.org (Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:32:33 +0000

Three of San Diego’s waterfront hotels have earned top honors from the Automobile Club of Southern California.

Port of San Diego tenants Loews Coronado Bay Resort, the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina and the Manchester Grand Hyatt were designated 2010 AAA Four Diamond Award winners.

“North America’s AAA Diamond Rating System is a long-time trusted method of rating lodgings and dining establishments, especially during what has been a difficult economic year for the hospitality industry and also for travelers,” said the Auto Club’s Approved Accommodations Supervisor Patricia Marenco.

The hotels’ general managers will be presented a rating plaque featuring a design of four raised simulated diamonds and the AAA Four Diamond Award logo. Award winners rank among the top 3.4 percent of more than 2,600 Southern California hotels, motels, and restaurants inspected by the Auto Club, the nation’s largest AAA affiliate, according to AAA.

"The Port of San Diego is proud of its world-class hotels and the ambiance that is the Big Bay,” said Board of Port Commissioners Chairman Stephen P. Cushman. “We congratulate them on their outstanding achievement and are proud of their accomplishment."

A total of 66 Southern California hotels and 32 restaurants have earned the 2010 AAA Four Diamond Award this year.

Whether for an extended stay or a weekend getaway, the Big Bay offers 15 hotels to suit the needs of every traveler. Book your next stay on the Waterfront through March 31, 2010, and receive up to 30 percent off.

Public Meeting to Provide Update on Ruocco Park

melicone@portofsandiego.org (Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:01:58 +0000

The Port of San Diego will be holding its second public meeting on the proposed Ruocco Park tomorrow, Sept. 10, 2009, at the Embarcadero Planning Center, 585 Harbor Lane in San Diego. The meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m.

The public will hear about Lloyd and Ilse Ruocco, who provided the $3.5 million grant for an urban park. Lloyd was a noted San Diego architect and considered the father of the modern architectural movement here. His credits include the San Diego Civic Theater, the San Diego County Administration Center, the San Diego Design Center and many private residences. His wife, Ilse, was a distinguished interior designer and a professor of art at San Diego State University. Together, they established a trust fund to provide money for building and maintaining a park in the central area of San Diego.

Ruocco Park is a 3.3-acre park planned for the southwest corner of West Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway on the former Harbor Seafood Mart site, north of Seaport Village. The park’s lead designer and landscape architect is Dennis Otsuji of ONA, Inc., a San Diego firm that provides services in landscape architecture, urban design and land planning. The Stephen Birch Aquarium and NTC/Liberty Station are two examples of the firm’s prestigious projects.

At the meeting, an update on the conceptual design will be presented. Following the update, the public will be given the opportunity to provide comment.

The concept includes a sustainable water feature, which will be the main focal point of the park. The water feature would include a reservoir and may use reclaimed water. Quiet contemplative areas, family picnic areas and a distinctive plaza area will also be presented in the concept.

The Port will be jointly funding the park with money allocated in its 2009-2013 Capital Development Program.

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Former President Bill Clinton Keynote Speaker at San Diego Convention Center

bmoreno@portofsandiego.org (Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:51:03 +0000

The San Diego Convention Center played host to former President Bill Clinton on August 26 as he addressed the National Business Travel Association, the world’s premier business travel organization.

The association brought its 42nd annual International Convention and Exposition to San Diego, welcoming more than 5,500 corporate travel professionals for the three-day event. According to the association, the convention hosts business travel buyers and suppliers from more than 30 countries to discuss industry trends.

Clinton spoke to the group for about 40 minutes. He discussed a variety of topics, from world politics to climate change. But he took the opportunity to compliment travel industry professionals, emphasizing how travel is important because it "opens up the world to people."

Through tourism, Clinton stated how travel can help even the poorest countries, such as Sierra Leone and Haiti. He discussed the efforts of his William J. Clinton Foundation and encouraged environmental sustainability initiatives. He also discussed how his foundation is working to combat diseases such as Malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.

Another high-profile attendee at the event was Captain Chesley B. ‘Sully’ Sullenberger III, who became a hero after successfully landing a commercial flight into the Hudson River in January, saving the lives of 155 people. He addressed the convention on Tuesday, August 25, with details of his masterful landing of U.S. Airways flight 1549.

The San Diego Convention Center Corporation estimated the association convention will generate $8.37 million in direct attendee spending and contribute approximately $20 million overall to the local economy.

“In a time when the global economy is uncertain and companies around the world are cutting costs and posting losses, corporate travel professionals know that managing travel effectively can save their companies billions,” said Kevin Maguire, the association’s President and CEO. “The NBTA Convention is an example of a large necessary corporate event, where professionals can share ideas about current industry challenges while helping to boost the community in which they work at the same time.”

BMW ORACLE Racing Introduces U.S. America’s Cup Team

dfrost@portofsandiego.org (Dale Frost (619) 686-6222) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:55:45 +0000

The U.S. America’s Cup team was introduced at a public ceremony on August 11 at BMW ORACLE Racing sailing headquarters, located behind the San Diego Convention Center on San Diego Bay.

Featured speakers at the celebration included team owner and financier Larry Ellison and legendary actor Harrison Ford.

Event Photos

BMW ORACLE’s vessel, a 90-foot-long and 90-foot wide trimaran, is competing in February in a series of races for the America’s Cup—yachting’s oldest and most coveted prize.

“The America’s Cup competition is a testing of limits,” said Ellison. “I think that’s a great way to lead ones life.”

The veteran actor Ford admitted to the packed crowd that he knows little about sailing or the America’s Cup.

“I’m here for a wild ride,” said Ford, who sailed with the team today offshore of Point Loma. “I wish the team luck in bringing the America’s Cup back to the U.S. and California.”

The team represents San Francisco’s Golden Gate Yacht Club.

The behemoth multihull tests the limits of its technology, sailors, builders and designers. With a 185-foot-high mast, as tall as an 18-story building, and area the size of two basketball courts, the trimaran can sail at never-before attained speeds of 50 knots.

“It’s an adrenalin rush,” said helmsman James Spithill.

BMW ORACLE Racing will face defending America’s Cup champion Alinghi of Switzerland in a best-of-three series in February, 2010. Due to prevailing weather conditions, Alinghi selected to race the giant multihulls in the Persian Gulf. Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, is the host port. This marks the first time the America’s Cup races, a competition for the oldest trophy in international sports, will be raced in the Middle East.

The race will occur within 100 miles of Iran, which gives Ellison concern about the safety of his crew. He said he will be on board for the competition.

After the ceremony, the team boarded the giant multihull vessel, dubbed the BOR 90, for a day of practice at sea. The boat, which may soon be renamed the USA, was towed from the dock and through a towering arch of water from two San Diego Harbor Police fire boats to begin a nautical parade through the harbor.

San Diego-based schooner America, a replica of the vessel that first won the America’s Cup for the U.S. in 1851, accompanied the flotilla.

Preparing to compete in the 33^rd America’s Cup competition, the BMW ORACLE Racing team has been conducting sea trials here over the past few months and plans to stay until November. BMW ORACLE Racing is paying the Port while they are headquartered here.

“Every day counts,” said Spithill. “This is cutting-edge technology and sailing. We’re testing the performance limits of the boat.”

BMW ORACLE Racing CEO and skipper Russell Coutts, a three-time winner of the America’s Cup, reminisced fondly about the America’s Cup competitions held in San Diego in the 1990’s.

Ellison is an American entrepreneur and the co-founder and CEO of Oracle Corporation, the world’s largest business software company. He is currently listed on the Forbes list of billionaires as the fourth richest person in the world.

Port to Conduct Public Hearing on Demolition of Former Teledyne Ryan

melicone@portofsandiego.org (Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:28:13 +0000

The Final Environmental Impact Report for a project to demolish the former Teledyne Ryan property at 2701 North Harbor Drive is complete and is now ready to go before the Board of Port Commissioners for certification.

The report addresses probable environmental effects on air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, hazardous materials, water quality, land use and planning, noise, traffic circulation and other factors.

The Port of San Diego will conduct a public hearing on the demolition at the Tuesday, August 4, 2009, Board of Port Commissioners meeting. The meeting begins at 1 p.m. and will be held in the board room of the Port’s Administration Building, located at 3165 Pacific Highway (map).

The demolition is being administered by the Port of San Diego and includes the removal of approximately 50 structures on a 46-acre site near San Diego International Airport. The site was previously used for aviation manufacturing facilities operated by the former tenant, Teledyne Ryan Industries (also known as Allegheny Industries), from 1939 to 2002.

Work will be done in three phases during a 24 to 30 month period. The buildings, foundations, concrete, asphalt and other related infrastructure will be removed. The demolition also includes the removal and disposal of hazardous demolition materials. A 30-inch storm drain will be removed and replaced and will connect with a remaining 54-inch storm drain.

After the public hearing on August 4, the Board of Port Commissioners will be asked to approve a resolution authorizing the issuance of a non-appealable Coastal Development Permit. If the Board approves the permit, it will pave the way for the project to proceed.

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Port of San Diego to Provide Temporary Financial Relief to Qualifying Tenants

melicone@portofsandiego.org (Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 18:08:42 +0000

Port tenants that are suffering from the nationwide financial crisis may soon get a break. The Board of Port Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution on Tuesday, April 7, that would establish a temporary financial relief program.

In the program, the most severely impacted tenants would be able to defer portions of their lease required rental payments.

The Port collects rent from commercial tenants, such as hotels and restaurants based on a percentage of sales, rather than on a fixed or flat rent basis. When sales-based percentages fall below a certain level, the Port requires a minimum annual rent payment.

Some of the Port's tenants have been experiencing such low sales that they are finding it hard to meet the minimum level and are paying the difference out of pocket. By doing this, the businesses are potentially impacting their operating capital. The newly approved program will focus on deferring minimum rent obligations for 2009 so that the tenants will have enough cash flow to stay in business. The deferred amounts will be paid back during calendar year 2010. Simple interest will be charged on the deferred amount, based on the Port's actual rate of return on its own investment portfolio.

The Port's small, independent, industrial tenants who pay flat rents and are having a difficult time meeting rent payments also have an option with the program. The tenants may defer up to 25 percent of the monthly flat rent required in the terms of the lease for each month during 2009. The tenants will have to pay back the deferred amount in 2010. They will have up to 12 months to pay it back, with simple interest.

The rent relief program is just one way the Port of San Diego is reaching out to assist its tenant businesses. The Port is moving forward with a vigorous marketing and public relations campaign to draw business to its tenants. Working with the San Diego Port Tenants Association, the Port will be developing promotional campaigns with special offers at restaurants, hotels, shops and attractions.

Notice of Preparation for National City Marine Terminal Wharf Extension and Port Master Plan Amendment

bmoreno@portofsandiego.org (Land Use Planning Department, (619) 686-6283) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:01:45 +0000

The San Diego Unified Port District has prepared a Notice of Preparation (NOP) of a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the National City Marine Terminal Wharf Extension. Comments regarding environmental concerns will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Monday, May 4, 2009.

The project is the completion of the western and southern faces of the wharf located at the National City Marine Terminal. The project would require dredging to accommodate deep draft vessels and a turning basin.

Dredge material would be disposed nearshore, in-bay, and/or offshore. Biological mitigation is proposed offsite at Grand Caribe Isle South and the D Street Fill area. Anchorage A-8 is also being evaluated as a potential dredge disposal and biological mitigation site.

The full Notice of Preparation, including a project location map, is provided in the attachment below.

Arcadis, U.S., Inc. Selected for Broadway Pier Cruise Ship Terminal Construction Management

melicone@portofsandiego.org (Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 23:11:01 +0000

The Board of Port Commissioners has selected Arcadis, U.S. Inc., a leading engineering firm with offices worldwide, to manage the construction of the Broadway Pier Cruise Ship Terminal project.

The proposed cruise ship terminal will be approximately 52,000 square feet and is planned to be used for public events on days when there are no cruise ships in port. It will be designed as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified building and feature equipment that will reduce the building's carbon footprint and water consumption.

Arcadis, U.S., Inc., will be providing construction administration, specialty inspection and testing services to comply with building code inspection requirements. The $1.2 million contract includes managing several components of the project: construction of the terminal, improvements to the pier and the assembly and installation of the mobile gangway connecting the cruise ships to the terminal building.

The Port plans to advertise the project for construction bids during a March/April time frame and will consider authorization of the construction contract by July 2009. The project is targeted for completion in December 2010.

Arcadis U.S., Inc. is responsible for completing more than 11,000 projects throughout the United States that have a combined value exceeding $20 billion. The firm has managed several major building programs in the San Diego area. The Arcadis team proposed for this project was selected from a group of 215 local professionals.

The Port of San Diego is a public benefit corporation and special government entity. Created in 1963 by an act of the California legislature, the Port manages San Diego harbor and administers the public lands along San Diego Bay. The Port has operated without tax dollars since 1970 and has been responsible for 1.5 billion in public improvements in its five member cities - Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego. With a $10.6 billion economic impact on the San Diego region, the Port oversees two maritime cargo terminals, a cruise ship terminal, 16 public parks, various wildlife reserves and environmental initiatives, a Harbor Police department and the leases of over 600 tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.