Port Takes Input on Ordinances on Entertainers and Sales on Tidelands

Friday, 30 September 2011
Contact: Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222

The Port of San Diego held the first of two public meetings to discuss the planned update of rules that regulate entertainers, performers and vendors on the waterfront of San Diego Bay.

About 75 people attended the informational meeting on September 28, which included an update on the current ordinances.

• Read the  SDUPD Port Code (8.77 MB)

At the meeting, port staff explained that the current regulations were written more than 20 years ago and needed to be updated to reflect changes in the area and on port lands. These changes include an increase in downtown residents, an upcoming increase in construction along North Harbor Drive and an increase in the number of public events on the waterfront. Port staff also introduced the operators of Quality Coast, Inc., a local company selected through a competitive bid process to be the primary vendor of food and merchandise on port lands.

Several entertainers, performers, vendors and port tenants attended the meeting. Port staff requested input from attendees on what they believe should be incorporated into the new regulations.

Many entertainers expressed concern that they would be regulated in the same manner as vendors or that they would be required to contract with Quality Coast, Inc., which has an agreement with the port to sell food and merchandise in the parks and open space on San Diego Bay. A number of vendors asked why they were not given the opportunity to compete for the opportunity won by Quality Coast, Inc.

A number of port tenants at the meeting said they are concerned about competing with businesses that set up in nearby parks and walkways without paying rent and other business expenses. Others said that access to their businesses has been impeded by vendor tables and pedi-cabs in public areas.

The port will hold a second meeting on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 6 p.m. in the Training Room of its Administration Building, 3165 Pacific Highway (map). The meeting will include the same format as the September 28 meeting.

In addition to the meetings, the public can send the port comments via email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The port plans to post its proposed changes to the ordinance at the end of October. Additional stakeholder meetings will be scheduled for November to review the draft changes.

The Port of San Diego was created by state legislature in 1962 and is responsible for $1.7 billion in public improvements in its five member cities: Imperial Beach, San Diego, Coronado, Chula Vista and National City.

The Port oversees two maritime cargo terminals, two cruise ship terminals, 17 public parks, the Harbor Police Department and the leases of more than 600 tenant and sub tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.