Palm Avenue Street End Project Gets Underway in Imperial Beach

Friday, 09 May 2008
Contact: Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6221

Project benefits include enhanced beach access, improved water quality and public art
The Port of San Diego has begun a $2.8 million construction project that will reconfigure the Palm Avenue street end in Imperial Beach. The project will enhance the existing street end by making roadway improvements, adding a storm water diversion system, enhancing access to the beach, incorporating public art and adding landscape design elements.

Palm Avenue runs toward Ocean Lane on the Imperial Beach waterfront. A semi-circular public overlook area will be created, providing a park-like setting for ocean viewing. This area will be enhanced with colored concrete pavers, benches, landscaping and lighting. It will also be the site for the installation of an 18-foot-tall sculpture titled, “The Spirit of Imperial Beach.” The large bronze artwork by artist A. Wasil epitomizes the surf culture of Imperial Beach with a seven-foot-tall surfer and his longboard. It also includes two children creating a sand castle, evoking the image of the popular “Sandcastle Days” event held on the beach each summer. The sculpture will be installed when the street end project is completed.

Traffic improvements resulting from the street end project will include a new turnaround at Ocean Lane to allow for two-way traffic and the addition of perpendicular parking along both sides of the street.

A primary goal of this project is to prevent or reduce beach postings and closures by diverting the urban runoff from the Palm Avenue storm drain to the sewer system. This will be accomplished by installing a storm water pump station with a built-in pollution diversion system, which will help prevent runoff from flowing onto the beach.

Other important project features include installing ramps from the street end to the beach, providing direct access to the beach for the public. The project will also establish year-round lateral beach access for individuals with disabilities and access for emergency vehicles. These features are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act/Title 24 regulations. In addition, a seawall will be constructed to protect the new street end and sand will be replenished to return the shoreline to its original condition.

Reyes Construction will be performing the construction work, which is anticipated to be completed by January 1, 2009.

Funding for the project is provided by the Port of San Diego and the City of Imperial Beach, with assistance from the Proposition 50 Clean Beaches Grant Program. The grant funding was attained through an agreement with the State Water Resources Control Board and the City of Imperial Beach.

The Port of San Diego is a public benefit corporation and special government entity. Created in 1963 by an act of the California legislature, the Port manages San Diego harbor and administers the public lands along San Diego Bay. The Port has operated without tax dollars since 1970 and has been responsible for $1.5 billion in public improvements in its five member cities – Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego. With a $10.6 billion economic impact on the San Diego region, the Port oversees two maritime cargo terminals, a cruise ship terminal, 16 public parks, various wildlife reserves and environmental initiatives, a Harbor Police department and the leases of over 600 tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.