Submitted by Dave Hock
The Port is owned by the people of California and held in a public trust. But should we trust the current stewards? At present, Board representatives are appointed rather than being elected by the people whose land they manage.
Here are just a few of my recent observations beyond the unpopular decision to terminate the lease at the Coronado Ferry Landing.
The Coronado Cays boat storage area has been slated to be a public park. But with zero public support the board approved a premanufacturing housing resort, with the obvious outcome of extending the lease and postponing the time for that land to be truly enjoyed by our families and citizens.
When the environmental studies for the facility went awry, the board quietly paid 2.5 million dollars of public funds to buy out the lessee. This was spun as a win for the public. The claim was that they would make the money back by running the boat storage facilities themselves.
The numbers provided to me by Christian Anderson, a real estate department manager with the port indicates that the facility grosses $300,000 per year with 67% occupancy. The occupancy has visibly dropped since. After an operator takes their cut for labor, insurance, etc., how can the port possibly net 2.5 million?
The Board issued a cease-and-desist order to the popular Portside Pier restaurant Ketch, resulting in lost jobs, lost revenue, and one less dock and dine venue for boaters.
They diminished dock and dine access for boaters by closing Joe’s Crab shack and allowing safe harbor to close access to Harbor Island restaurants.
It is time to allow the public to choose the trustees via democratic elections, just like our community college trustees are chosen to run one of the best education organizations in the country. I for one will vote for people with business experience who can make common sense decisions for the good of the citizens of San Diego.
Dave Hock
This is a great idea, David. The Port has evaded oversight since 1962 and is stocked with real estate development lawyers who are interested in development, not tidelands access for the public. Change is needed and it will have to come at the state level. Assemblymember Alvarez has a great start for solutions with AB 2783 from last year. He’ll likley reintroduce it. Coronado has no say in Port decisions, that is clear.
*likely*
corrected to “likely” of course (that was me, not anonymous lol)