Environmental Sustainability Policy Approved by Board of Port Commissioners

A policy that will assist the Port with minimizing its demand on the environment while continuing to grow its business was approved by the Board of Port Commissioners at the Dec. 11 Board meeting. The new policy, called the Environmental Sustainability Policy, will be the framework by which the Port will make decisions that incorporate a balance of environmental, social and economic concerns.

The policy represents the critical first step in the implementation of a comprehensive environmental sustainability program at the Port. The purpose of the program will be to identify the Port's environmental impacts and develop specific initiatives to reduce those impacts. The program is in development and implementation is expected to begin in 2008 under the guidance of a steering committee.

The Port has some sustainability initiatives already in place. In 2002, an in-house recycling program began when receptacles were placed throughout the Port offices to recycle glass, plastic, aluminum cans, cardboard, newspaper, white paper and mixed paper. During the first year of the program, the Port prevented 28,085 pounds of waste from entering the Miramar landfill. That number has since doubled and tripled. Battery recycling was recently started. Special bins are located at Port offices for employees to dispose of used batteries. Employees are encouraged to bring used batteries from home for recycling.

The Port also provides incentives for Port employees to use alternative transportation, such as the bus or trolley, and is evaluating environmentally friendly hand soap and cleaning products in its restrooms, as well as using cleaning products that aren't harmful to the environment. Other initiatives include the use of non-toxic and environmentally safe methods for pest control in Port parks.

In addition to those initiatives already in place, the Port will seek other ways to encourage sustainability. One way is by collaborating with businesses in the Port's jurisdiction and public and private agencies on sustainability efforts to create a Bay-wide program.

Also in this issue…

Four new environmental projects receive the go-ahead

Old Police Headquarters Project Update

Board approves increase in total project cost for Phase One of North Embarcadero Visionary Plan

Endquote from departing Chair

Four New Environmental Projects Receive the Go-ahead

The Port of San Diego's Environmental Fund will be paying for four newly approved projects. One of the projects will create an ecotourism walk on Harbor Island in conjunction with upcoming development plans. Informational signs, seating and observation decks will be constructed along the waterfront to alert visitors of plants, fish and birds that are native to the San Diego Bay area. The Board of Port Commissioners approved $200,000 from the Port's environmental fund to go towards the project.

The other projects include a geotechnical study on San Diego Bay. Scripps Institution of Oceanography will conduct the study which will help locate earthquake faults on the tidelands. Another project will upgrade 17 areas along the tidelands by replacing grass with water conserving landscaping. A brochure will be developed in conjunction with this project to advise Port businesses on water conserving plants and landscaping. The fourth project will install porous pavement or pavers in various Port parking lots that are in need of repaving. Instead of repaving with concrete or asphalt, the porous material will be used to absorb water, thus preventing it from moving trash into the storm drains. In addition to the new materials, trees will be planted in the lots.

Old Police Headquarters Project Update

The Old Police Headquarters and Park Project consists of a 21-acre area near Seaport Village in San Diego. The historic Old Police Headquarters will be redeveloped with shops, restaurants and public areas. The Harbor Seafood Mart property will be demolished and replaced with a smaller facility that will incorporate commercial fish processing, plus additional retail and restaurant space. In addition, a one-acre public park will be included and parking areas will be improved.

The developer is Seaport Village Operating Co., LLC. The developer has an option agreement with the Port of San Diego that was set to expire Dec. 31. At the Dec. 11 Board meeting, the Board of Port Commissioners approved a 95-day extension of the option agreement. This extension will allow the Port time to review the developer's proposal. Construction is anticipated to begin sometime next year and will take approximately one year to complete.

An artist's rendering of what the Old Police Headquarters building may look like after redevelopment.

Board approves increase in total project cost for Phase One of North Embarcadero Visionary Plan

The North Embarcadero Visionary Plan, a project to improve the waterfront of San Diego Bay from Laurel Street South to Pacific Highway and Harbor Drive with widened esplanades, open grassy areas and improved landscaping, is getting closer to starting. The Board of Port Commissioners approved an increase of $1.5 million to the total project cost for the first phase, which includes the realignment of North Harbor Drive from Broadway to B Street and widening the adjacent bayside esplanade. The project has evolved due to private development projects in the area, resulting in the need to include a portion of the West Broadway roadway and streetscape to the first phase.

The cost for the design is approximately $4.1 million, with the cost being split between the Port and Centre City Development Corporation. The total cost, including construction of phase one, is anticipated to be $20 million. The Port expects that the phase one design will be complete in late 2008 and that construction will begin soon after.

Artist's rendering of a portion of Phase I of the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan. This view depicts a possible information/multi-use building.

Endquote from the Chair

It has been my pleasure to serve as the Chair of the Board of Port Commissioners for 2007. I would like to thank all of you for your support over this past year. Your involvement in Port issues and projects is paramount to us and is the foundation for our continued success. Together we can accomplish great things for the San Diego Bay waterfront - developments that we can be proud of and business operations that are fruitful for our region's economy.

I leave you in good hands as I pass the torch to Commissioner Bixler. He has served on this Board for five years and has brought us a wealth of knowledge from his years in the political arena. He has a strong financial background through his work with Merrill Lynch Private Client Group and is a former Naval aviator. I am confident that he will do a tremendous job as the leader of the Board of Port Commissioners.

Happy holidays to you and your loved ones.