The California Report Discusses "Developers in San Diego Bay"

(Excerpt) San Diego's Port District plans to file suit against developers who want to build hotels and shops over the docks of San Diego Bay. The region is ideal for cargo ships unloading freight from overseas. It's also prime real estate for developers, and over the years, high rise hotels and a convention center have sprung up along the waterfront.

• Original story (The California Report)
•  The California Report (KQED) Developers in San Diego Bay

Federal Maritime Administration Official Visits Port, Offers Support

Sean T. Connaughton, Administrator of the United States Maritime Administration (MARAD), visited the Port of San Diego on September 11. Mr. Connaugton took a tour of the Port's maritime facilities and visited two of our largest tenants, General Dynamics/NASSCO and Pasha Automotive Services.

In early September, Board Chairman Michael Bixler received a letter from Mr. Connaughton, who expressed his concerns with the Freight Preservation and Bayfront Redevelopment Initiative that will be placed on the November 4 ballot. The U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration believes that the initiative would affect the Port's role as both a Department of Defense Strategic Port and commercial port.

Business at Port’s Marine Terminals Shows no Signs of Slowing Down

Comments from Port Chair Michael Bixler

Recently we’ve been reading in the newspapers and watching on the local television news about an idea to double deck the Port of San Diego’s Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal so that it could be used for multiple functions. Those supporting the idea believe that the terminal could host a sporting event for the public while the Port conducts its normal maritime activity. There’s a misconception floating around that the Port’s maritime activity is experiencing a lull and that the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal could be put to better use.

Equipment for new Otay Mesa Power Plant is Unloaded at Port of San Diego

Heavy equipment for a new power plant in Otay Mesa was off-loaded today at the Port of San Diego’s Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal. Shipping company Chipolbrok America Inc. transported the 24 modules, some weighing 173 metric tons, from Korea aboard the ocean carrier Wladyslaw Orkan. The Port’s new business was generated during a recent trade mission to Asia by Port of San Diego officials. “This underscores the importance of forging strong relationships with customers and prospective customers in the international market,” said Port Commissioner Sylvia Rios, who met with Chipolbrok representatives in Shanghai, China, last year while she was Chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners.

Port Board Opposes Proposed Ballot Initiative

The Board of Port Commissioners has voted unanimously to oppose a proposed ballot initiative that seeks to amend the San Diego Unified Port District's master plan to allow hotels, restaurants and possibly a sports stadium at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal cargo facility. The Board unanimously agreed that the initiative threatens the viability of the terminal by allowing non-maritime uses.

"I'm one thousand percent opposed to this initiative," Commissioner Stephen Cushman said.

The Board, along with its outside legal counsel, questioned the legality of the initiative while raising a concern that the proposed changes could compromise security at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal.