Lease Granted to San Diego Mooring Company for Mega Yacht Mooring on San Diego Bay

Contact: Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222

The mega yacht industry is big business and San Diego Bay will soon have a spot for the luxurious vessels to dock. At the July 1 Board of Port Commissioners meeting, the Board granted a two-year lease with San Diego Mooring Company, LLC, to manage a Mediterranean mooring operation.

Mediterranean mooring is defined as a vessel docking perpendicular to the pier as opposed to beside it. It is commonly used in European harbors for large yachts. The Port of San Diego voted in June 2007 to explore the possibility of providing a specialized mooring service on San Diego Bay to attract more mega yachts to San Diego. Mega yachts are generally over 100 feet in length.

Port Names New Director of Land Use Planning

Contact: Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222

The Port of San Diego recently appointed John Helmer as Director of its Land Use Planning Department. As Director, he is responsible for overseeing all land use planning, environmental review, and coastal entitlements for redevelopment projects on Port Tidelands.

Mr. Helmer has been serving as the Acting Director of the department since February 2008. He was initially hired by the Port of Diego in August 2004 as the Manager of Planning Services. Since then, he has led planning efforts on key Port projects like the proposed Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan, the Lane Field development, and the Old Police Headquarters and Park Project.

Board of Port Commissioners Approves $151.2 million 2008-09 Budget

Contact: John Gilmore (619) 686-6222

The Board of Port Commissioners has approved the 2008-09 budget for the Port of San Diego, with funds allocated for infrastructure maintenance, several environmental initiatives that are designed to protect and improve environmental conditions in San Diego Bay and development projects that will enhance San Diego's waterfront and the regional economy.

Imperial Beach Palm Avenue Street End Project Kicks Off as Port and City Officials Break Ground

A $2.8 million street end improvement project at the beachfront in Imperial Beach kicked off today as Port of San Diego and City of Imperial Beach officials ceremoniously shoveled dirt at the foot of Palm Avenue. The project will transform the street end into a park-like setting and beach overlook with benches, landscaping and lighting. The site will also feature an 18-foot-tall bronze sculpture of a surfer holding a longboard, evocative of the city's surf culture and history. Completion is anticipated later this year.

Groundbreaking Ceremony for $2.8 Million Palm Ave. Improvement Project in Imperial Beach

Contact: Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222

Emergency vehicle access, pollution diversion system and public art all part of upgrades

A project to improve the western end of Palm Avenue at the oceanfront of Imperial Beach will kick off on Wednesday, July 2, with an official groundbreaking ceremony led by the Imperial Beach Mayor, Jim Janney, and Chair of the Board of Port Commissioners, Michael Bixler.