Media Invited To Preview Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier on Dec. 17

Monday, 13 December 2010
Contact: John Gilmore (619) 686-7206

The Port of San Diego will host a media tour Friday, Dec. 17 to preview the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier, the Port’s new cruise ship terminal and public events center.

The behind-the-scenes tour will begin at 10 a.m. Members of the media will have the opportunity to view the two-story, 52,000 square foot building, which has room for approximately 2,500 passengers. With a saw-tooth roof, blue glass, iconic pylon at its front and colors reminiscent of San Diego Bay, the new Pavilion will be a place where the public can gather for special events on days when there isn’t a ship in port.

WHEN:

• 10 a.m., Friday, Dec. 17, 2010

WHERE:

• Broadway Pier, 1000 North Harbor Drive, San Diego

SIGNIFICANCE:

• The $28-million Pavilion was built with sustainable features that will help it qualify for silver-level LEED certification. The terminal and event center was designed by Bermello Ajamil and Partners, Inc., a leading design and architectural firm with offices in California, Florida and New York. Sustainable features include a 30KW Port-owned photovoltaic system that will generate up to 14 percent of the building’s energy needs.  An additional system that is owned by San Diego Gas & Electric will provide even more power.  The additional energy will be put back into the region'sl electrical grid. 
• The building also has natural ventilation. Louvers and fans are incorporated throughout to keep it cool during the warmer months. The Pavilion's roof is painted white to reflect the heat away from the building, reducing the need for air conditioning. 
• Other sustainable features are low-flow water fixtures, energy efficient light fixtures and a shore power system that will provide power to vessels berthed at Broadway Pier. 
• The Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier also includes a public art element. A light installation by New York-based artist and lighting designer Leni Schwendinger will provide artistic lighting on the building at night. The artwork, titled “Tidal Radiance” will produce colors and forms that will transform the façade after sundown. The artwork will remain lit every night and will be visible to Pavilion visitors, pedestrians strolling on the Embarcadero and motorists traveling on North Harbor Drive.

Media representatives interested in taking the tour should contact John Gilmore at (619) 686-7206 (office) or (619) 341-5684 (cell). They may also contact Marguerite Elicone at (619) 686-6281 (office) or (619) 787-6391 (cell).

The Port Pavilion will be open to the public on Saturday, Dec. 18.