Latest on the November 4 Ballot Initiative

On September 4, Superior Court Judge Ronald L. Styn issued a ruling to allow the initiative titled "The Port of San Diego Marine Freight Preservation and Bayfront Redevelopment Initiative" to be placed on the November 4 ballot. The ruling was in response to a lawsuit that the Port filed to try to stop the initiative from making it to the ballot. The Port opposes the initiative because it threatens the future of maritime activity at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal and changes the land use requirement of the terminal.

The Port argued that the San Diego Unified Port District has exclusive jurisdiction over San Diego Bay and the tidelands and that exclusivity was vested in the Port District and the Board of Port Commissioners when the district was formed by the state Legislature in 1962. However, Judge Styn ruled that the Port's challenges didn't justify withholding the initiative from the ballot.

Following the Judge's ruling, the Port filed an appeal in the Fourth District Court of Appeals in San Diego. The appeal asked for an immediate stay of any and all steps required to be taken by the San Diego County Registrar of Voters to place the initiative on the ballot. On September 10, the appellate court denied the Port's motion.

Since the Port is a public agency, it cannot campaign against the initiative. We will continue to try to educate the public on the importance of keeping the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal a strictly maritime facility. One way of accomplishing this is to continue hosting free working waterfront tours. The tours offer a behind the scenes look at the Port's two marine terminals and some of the many businesses that depend on maritime activity to survive. If you'd like to sign up for a tour, call (619) 686-8008 or visit portofsandiego.org/tours.

Also in this issue…

Port Freeway Access Project Moves Forward with Approval of Funds to CalTrans

Port to Seek Naming Rights for new Cruise Ship Terminal on Broadway Pier

Board Passes Resolution declaring September "Green Port Month"

Federal Maritime Administration Official Visits Port, offers Support

Port Freeway Access Project Moves Forward with Approval of Funds to CalTrans

The Port of San Diego is working with the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) and the cities of San Diego and National City on the Port Freeway Access Program. One of the main goals of the program is to provide direct truck access to Interstates 5 and 15, rather than having them travel through the neighborhood. There are four separate freeway access projects. The projects are located at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal at Cesar Chavez Parkway, Harbor Drive at 32nd Street, Bay Marina Drive and Interstate 5 in National City and Harbor Drive at Civic Center Drive in National City.

At the September 2 Board of Port Commissioners meeting, a resolution was passed that allows the Port to give CalTrans $800,000 of Federal funding from the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act, which authorized $3.6 million to be used for freeway access enhancements on the I-5 corridor serving the Port of San Diego. The $800,000 amount to CalTrans will be used to begin the design of the grade separation project at 32nd street between I-15 and Harbor Drive.

The Harbor Drive at 32nd Street project proposes an elevated structure in the median of Harbor Drive that will connect to Interstate 15 over the freight, rail and trolley tracks at the Harbor Drive and 32nd Street intersection. The project will also add direct connectors on eastbound Harbor Drive to both northbound and southbound I-15. This project will eliminate truck traffic on the already congested portion of Harbor Drive at 32nd Street. It will also eliminate railway conflicts that exist at this busy intersection.

The project at Tenth Avenue and Cesar Chavez Parkway entails constructing a two-lane, grade separated structure from the western side of Cesar Chavez Parkway over the railroad tracks that would turn right onto Harbor Drive, just before the on-ramp to the Coronado Bay Bridge. The proposed grade separation improvement would provide dedicated truck access from the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal gates onto the dedicated truck route and to the freeways. This project would deter trucks from going through the Barrio Logan community and eliminate delays caused by the railroad crossing, as well as reduce the potential of rail-related accidents.

The Bay Marina Drive at I-5 project would add more lanes to Bay Marina Drive. One additional lane in each direction would be added to this street which leads to the National City Marina Terminal. Other improvements include adding a right turn lane on Bay Marina Drive to the southbound I-5 ramp, adding a traffic signal to the intersection of Cleveland Avenue and Bay Marina Drive and extending the left turn lane on eastbound Bay Marina Drive from Cleveland Avenue to the northbound I-5 on ramp.

A project planned for Harbor Drive at Civic Center Drive proposes to extend Tidelands Avenue so that it can provide a direct connection to Harbor Drive. This project would also add an additional northbound lane on Cleveland Avenue, a right turn lane on westbound Civic Center Drive and add through lanes in each direction on Civic Center Drive between Tidelands Avenue and Cleveland Avenue. In addition, the project will add a second lane to the northbound I-5 on ramp that would line up with Wilson Avenue. It would also call for rebuilding a portion of the northbound I-5 Plaza Boulevard ramp structure, add a traffic signal to the intersection of Wilson Avenue and Civic Center Drive and add a second lane to the northbound I-5 ramp that would line up with Wilson Avenue.

All environmental processes for these projects must be completed by December 2010 and begin construction by 2013 in order to maintain funding by the State of California Trade Corridor Improvement Fund.

The intersection at Harbor Drive and 32nd Street. One of the freeway access projects will build a direct connector to Interstate 15 over this intersection.

Port to Seek Naming Rights for new Cruise Ship Terminal on Broadway Pier

The new cruise ship terminal that will be built on Broadway Pier may have a name that reflects a company, corporation or individual. The Port will be sending out a nationwide Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit firms that may be interested in naming rights for the new facility. The RFP would seek a sponsorship for brand name recognition. The Port will request a minimum bid of $5 million for a 10-year commitment for naming rights. The money would help bridge the gap in funding the now $28 million construction project.

Originally the cost for building the new terminal was estimated at $23.65 million. However, increasing construction costs and the new design of the terminal pushed the price higher.

The project's architect incorporated elements that the public and other stakeholders wanted in the design. These included changing the fabricated look of the original design to a permanent structure, incorporating art into the design and including more public access.

At the September 2 Board of Port Commissioners meeting, the Board approved capital development funds to be used for the project's construction. The Board also authorized staff to move forward with the RFP seeking naming rights and approved the public art concept.

New York artist Leni Schwendinger of Leni Schwendinger Light Projects, Ltd., was selected as the artist for the project. She is also the artist for the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan, a project between the Port, the Centre City Development Corporation and the City of San Diego that will transform the waterfront on the Embarcadero of San Diego Bay. Her materials for the Broadway Pier Cruise Ship Terminal artwork include acrylic and glass panels in a seafoam green color. Artistic lighting will be added, enhancing the building's architecture by casting reflections of dancing water on the concrete.

The Port will also be implementing shore power for use at either the B Street or Broadway Pier. This type of power, also known as "cold ironing", allows cruise ships to plug into shore power, eliminating the need to keep diesel engines running. The Port was recently awarded a $2.4 million grant to assist with the cost of the equipment. In order to receive the funding, the shore power equipment must be installed and operating by 2011.

The Port intends to make the Broadway Pier Cruise Ship Terminal a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) project. This is a national recognition that identifies construction projects or developments that use sustainable materials and that will use less energy, less water and produce fewer pollutants.

The Port entered into a unique partnership with San Diego Gas & Electric for running the system that will deliver power to the terminal and to the area's power grid. Solar panels will be installed on the building's roof, low emitting materials and finishes will be used in the construction and construction materials will be recycled.

A southeast view (rendering) of the proposed Broadway Pier Cruise Ship Terminal.

Board Passes Resolution Declaring September "Green Port Month"

To recognize the environmental achievements associated with its Green Ports Program, the Board of Port Commissioners signed a proclamation naming September "Green Port Month."

Some of the achievements include the completion of 10 environmental projects that are included in the Green Port Program. The program includes 23 projects, which are all scheduled for completion by December 2008. Here are some of the highlights of the recent environmental accomplishments:

• The Port is participating in an incentive program through the Metropolitan Water District that will facilitate the purchase of water-efficient plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems that are expected to conserve up to five million gallons of water and save $12,000 annually.
• The completion of a draft environmental buying program that will be presented to the Board in December 2008 for approval. The program will allow the Port to seek out products it uses in its operations that are both environmentally safe and the most cost effective.
• Establishment of a partnership with SDG&E, which includes its assistance with incorporating energy efficiency and alternative energy technology within Port operations.
• Diverting 100 pounds of food waste per week from the Port's employee restaurant, Café Olé away from the Miramar landfill. This was accomplished by starting a composting program at the Port's Administration building.
• Initiating the Clean Trucks Program, which will help retrofit or replace older trucks that do business at the Port to reduce emissions. The Port obtained nearly $5 million in grant funding for shore power infrastructure at the Cruise Ship Terminal and Tenth Avenue Marine Terminals.
• The development of an award program that will recognize Port tenants who are taking exceptional measures to reduce their environmental impact.

To help kick off the Green Port Month, three Port employees were honored for their environmental achievements at the September 2 Board meeting. They were Sergeant Gary Leeson of the Harbor Police, Craig Sweeting of General Services and Dave Thompson of Procurement Services.

Sgt. Leeson was honored for renovating the Harbor Police Department's dog run by installing artificial grass. This eliminated the need for watering and the use of fertilizer. In addition, the artificial grass requires no maintenance, which cuts out noisy lawn equipment. Sgt. Leeson was also recognized for retrofitting the air conditioning system in the Port vehicles that transport K-9 units. When the K-9s are in the vehicles, the temperature must always remain comfortable. Sgt. Leeson's retrofit eliminated the need to keep the vehicle engines running to power up the air conditioning.

Craig Sweeting has been instrumental in several energy-conserving projects at the Port. He works with the Port's HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system at the Administration Building. In addition, Craig spearheaded the Port's employee gardening program. Craig was also a leader in the program to compost food waste from the Port's employee restaurant, Café Olé.

Dave Thompson was honored for initiating the new environmentally preferable procurement program. This program allows the Port to seek out products it uses in its operations that are both environmentally safe and the most cost effective.

Congratulations to these exemplary employees on their leadership and environmental accomplishments!

The Port's Building Maintenance Coordinator, Craig Sweeting, with Board Chairman Michael Bixler. Craig was honored for his outstanding environmental leadership at the Sept. 2 Board of Port Commissioners meeting.

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, I 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.

MARAD selected the Port of San Diego as one of 19 strategic ports in the United States. We received this designation by cooperating with the military on several load-out operations at both the National City and Tenth Avenue Marine Terminals. The load-outs have been on a regular basis since the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003.

MARAD serves as an advocate for the United States maritime industry to promote America's growth and international competitiveness in a safe and healthy environment. Its mission is to strengthen the United States maritime transportation system, including infrastructure, industry and labor to meet the economic and security needs of the nation.

Sean T. Connaughton was nominated by President George W. Bush in June 2006 to be the Maritime Administrator and he was confirmed by the Senate on August 3, 2006.

MARAD Administrator Sean T. Connaughton with the Port's Senior Director of Maritime, Ron Popham.