California Coastal Commission Approves Phase I of North Embarcadero Project

Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Contact: Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222

After a year of working closely with stakeholders, the public and Coastal Commission staff, a project that will improve the North Embarcadero area of the San Diego Bay waterfront has been approved by the California Coastal Commission.

Coastal Commissioners voted 8-to-1 in favor of the project’s first phase at the April 13 Coastal Commission meeting, held in Santa Barbara.

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The project's approval is the result of a collaborative process that included labor unions, waterfront activists, developers, local Coastal Commission staff, the Centre City Development Corporation (CCDC), the City of San Diego and Port staff.

The North Embarcadero Visionary Plan (NEVP) is a public improvement project covering about a mile and a half of waterfront along Harbor Drive from Laurel Street to Navy Pier. Plazas, public art, improved landscaping and significantly improved roadways are all part of the plan. Phase I incorporates Harbor Drive from Navy Pier to the B Street Pier and a small portion of West Broadway.

“This breakthrough is the result of a partnership with the City, CCDC and the community at large,” said Scott Peters, Chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners. “We've spent a lot of time this year working with our stakeholders and the public to create a project that will include better access, better public amenities and make the waterfront of the North Embarcadero a more dynamic destination. This is a great day for our City and for the people of California.”

Last April, the project was presented to the Coastal Commission for approval of the Port’s Coastal Development Permit. The permit was denied because the Commission believed it was inconsistent with the Port Master Plan. A key objection was that it lacked sufficient public space.

Since then, the Port and CCDC have worked closely with members of Lane Field Developers, Unite HERE, and the Navy Broadway Complex Coalition to include additional public space. Port staff has also been working with local Coastal Commission staff to ensure that its concerns were addressed and that requested revisions were incorporated.

Peters praised Unite HERE for the spirit of cooperation it showed in reaching a compromise that allowed it to support the beautification plan.

City of San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders issued the following statement applauding today’s approval:

“I’m thrilled that San Diegans’ vision for our downtown bayfront has cleared the final regulatory hurdle and this transformation can begin. This project is the result of well over a decade of work by the Port of San Diego, Centre City Development Corp., the city and hundreds of citizens who took the time to weigh in on what they’d like to see for our waterfront. Soon, our residents and visitors will be able to enjoy a beautifully designed, landscaped esplanade and park, making the most of this prized natural resource.”

“Today is a historic day for San Diego,” said Kevin Faulconer, Council President Pro Tem of the City of San Diego. “This world-class project opens up the City’s waterfront and creates a new front porch. Park space, walkways and trees will replace concrete and asphalt. These plans have been on the drawing board for more than a decade, so I am extremely proud that this shovel-ready project has finally become a reality.”

Port Commissioner Lee Burdick, who attended the meeting, spoke to the Coastal Commission about the importance of the project.

"This beautification of a small part of the waterfront is an example of how government agencies can reach out to the public in a creative way. It's the culmination of 13 years of planning. This project is better for having done the proper public outreach. This addresses the urgent need to invest in our waterfront and the re-envisioning of the larger waterfront,” she said.

Several members of the public, including Jerry Trammer of Lane Field San Diego Developers, Inc.; Jim Unger, Chairman of the San Diego Port Tenants Association; Kim Kilkenny, Chair of the CCDC Board of Directors, as well as the project’s former opponents, traveled to Santa Barbara to express support for the project.

Lane Field San Diego Developers, Inc. was instrumental in getting Phase I approved. Earlier this year,  the company agreed to scale back its development on Lane Field to make way for the extra public space needed for the NEVP Phase I project.

“Hard work over the past year has created a much better NEVP Phase I project than the one we strongly opposed last April,” said Ian Trowbridge, of the Navy Broadway Complex Coalition. “Despite some rough spots, all parties involved acted in good faith to come up with what is now a fine project. The people of San Diego have waited more than a decade for this project to be consummated and it’s time to move forward now.”

The revised Phase I includes the addition of the new Lane Field setback park/plaza. This component will add approximately two acres of additional space to the project. Other amendments include a low-cost shuttle service to serve the project area and to further enhance public access opportunities through a comprehensive Port Master Plan Amendment.

"This project was only successful because every group came to the table, gave a little and agreed that in the long run, this project, while not perfect, was feasible and was in the best interest for the region, its residents and its visitors," said Irene McCormack, Vice President of External Relations for the Port.

The project is divided into three distinct sub-phases. Phase 1A includes roadway improvements to West Broadway. Phase 1B includes realignment of a portion of North Harbor Drive to the east, and development of a 105-foot wide esplanade, biological storm water treatment system and public restrooms along North Harbor Drive, between Navy Pier and the B Street Cruise Ship Terminal. Phase 1D includes the new setback park on Lane Field, located at West Broadway along North Harbor Drive.

“We are proud to present to you a project today that has overwhelming public support,” said Wayne Darbeau, President and CEO of the Port of San Diego. We stand before you today with a coalition of labor and interested parties. This is a shining example of what can be accomplished when government works collaboratively with the public.”

Now that the Phase I project has been approved, the Port will go out to bid for a construction contract. Groundbreaking is expected to begin by December of this year. The first phase is being funded jointly by the Port and CCDC.