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Project Background

Wednesday, 05 May 2010

Project Background

• Old Police Headquarters and Park

In 1998, the Board of Port Commissioners approved the South Embarcadero Redevelopment Program 1 (SERF 1) which included the expansions of the Manchester Grand Hyatt and San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina; the expansion of Seaport Village; and the development of a four-acre Central Park on portions of the Old Police Headquarters (OPH) site.

The development of the Central Park would have required demolition of all or a substantial part of the OPH, which is an historically significant structure. When the California Coastal Commission approved the Port Master Plan Amendment for the SERF 1, it directed staff to save as much of the OPH as possible – so that it could be restored for reuse - while still providing access to the bayfront. The Central Park was then relocated to its current location. The location of the 3.3 acre park includes portions of the existing Harbor Seafood Mart and associated plaza and parking areas west of Pacific Highway and south of Harbor Drive.

On February 7, 2006 the Board of Port Commissioners certified the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Old Police Headquarters and Park Project and Port Master Plan Amendment (UPD No. 83356-EIR-635; SCH No. 2004101039) under Resolution 2006-28. Staff has determined that the proposed Ruocco Park Project is consistent with the park component analyzed in the referenced environmental document and is, therefore, in substantial conformance with the Board-certified Final EIR and the adopted Findings of Fact. The certified EIR is filed with the Office of the District Clerk as Document No. 50064.

• The San Diego Foundation / Lloyd and Ilse Ruocco Fund

In September 2004, the San Diego Foundation contacted the Port of San Diego regarding a potential donation for the development of a park. The funds would be provided by a trust established by Lloyd and Ilse Ruocco over 25 years ago for the purpose of building and maintaining parks in the central area of San Diego. The Ruocco Fund was specifically established to help create a public waterfront park that is an example of outstanding urban design.

In June 2005, the Port entered into a Letter of Intent with the Foundation that outlined the terms and conditions for acceptance of funds for the design, construction and maintenance for portions of a proposed waterfront park. The Board of Port Commissioners approved a Donation Agreement in November 2008. The Foundation's donation is not intended to fund the development of a "basic park", but rather to provide enhancements and upgrades to that park, which will be constructed by the Port.

• Budget

Funding for Ruocco Park is in the Port of San Diego's current Capital Development Program. Current dedicated funding is: