Port of San Diego Moves Forward with Changes to its Capital Improvement Program Process

Tuesday, 13 December 2011
Contact: Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222

Public input on future port projects is welcome

The Port of San Diego is hosting an informational meeting regarding its newly revised Capital Improvement Program, which outlines plans for construction and enhancement projects.

The public meeting will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Port of San Diego's Administration Building, 3165 Pacific Highway, San Diego (map).

Earlier this year, the Board of Port Commissioners revised the Board Policy that sets forth the process for identifying projects to include in the District's Capital Improvement Program. The policy is intended to facilitate capital improvement projects and budgets that align with the Port's mission, vision and strategic goals.

The selection guidelines are contained in Board Policy 120 (PDF), which is geared to streamline the capital improvement process, reduce costs and ensure consistency of all of the program's projects. That includes those that are within or adjacent to the Port District's jurisdiction. An additional feature of Board Policy 120 is that it allows representatives of the Port's member cities, Port tenants and the public to propose potential projects for consideration by the Board of Port Commissioners.

•  BPC Policy No. 120 - Capital Development Program (CDP) (327.99 kB)

A capital improvement project is one that adds to, or enhances, Port operating facilities and public amenities on or adjacent to Port lands. Examples include improvements on the Port's marine terminals, improved roadways, public boat ramps, security systems, new parks, and environmental mitigation.

Capital improvement projects do not include major maintenance work, repairs or renovation.

They also do not include environmental or public art projects. The Port has separate funds and submittal processes available for both environmental projects, that are above and beyond compliance, and public art projects.

The construction of Ruocco Park, located just north of Seaport Village, is being partially funded under the Capital Improvement Program. Ruocco Park, which broke ground in October, will become the Port of San Diego's 18th waterfront park when it opens in summer 2012.

The first phase of the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan, which will begin construction in January 2012, is also partially funded by the Port's current Capital Improvement Program. Other Capital Improvement Program-funded projects include the Coronado Boathouse, the Imperial Beach Sand Replenishment Project, the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal Shore Power project, and the extension of H Street in Chula Vista.

Anyone interested in submitting potential projects for the next five-year Capital Improvement Program beginning on July 1, 2013 must fill out a project information form and submit it by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , no later than January 18, 2012. Alternately, hard copies may be mailed or hand-delivered to the Don Nay Port Administration Building, 3165 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA. The project information form is available:

•  On-Tidelands Capital Improvement Projects Public Survey (163.27 kB)

Questions regarding the Port's Capital Improvement Program process can be e-mailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Potential projects for this new five year planning period will be discussed at a Board of Port Commissioners workshop planned for Spring 2012. A Fall 2012 workshop is also in the planning stages; additional details on both workshops will be available in future updates.

The Port of San Diego was created by state legislature in 1962 and is responsible for $1.7 billion in public improvements in its five member cities: Imperial Beach, Coronado, Chula Vista, National City and San Diego.

The Port District 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.