A Port of Firsts: San Diego
Fun Fact:
The University Club of San Diego atop Symphony Towers was the perfect location for an update of on the San Deigo Port. Looking out over downtown San Diego and much of the Port, Rafael Castellanos, Chairman, San Diego Port Authority, provided an overview of the Port’s mission and an update on projects and vision.
OUR Port
Coastal land is held in trust for the public Port Act and Tidelands Trust Doctrine. The Port of San Diego is committed to a dynamic and diverse waterfront.
Port Member cities include: San Diego, Coronado, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, National City. Commissioners fron each city are charged in acting in the best way for the entire region and state. It is not a taxing agency, but generates revenue. from wide-ranging operations in the following areas:
Navigation
Commerce, including 100+ restaurants
Recreation, including 22 public parks
Environmental, including water quality, emissions reduction strategies. An innovative electric cranes - the first ever in North America - and artificial Oyster Reefs are examples of these initiatives.
Blue economy incubator, including supporting and partnering with organizations like ECOncrete, a coastal lock system that helps create a more structurally sound shoreline
Fishing Operations, including revitalizing the fishing industry and improving the fish market
A UniqUe Port
FUN FACT
Going Bananas !! 300 million bananas a month come through our Port. Nearly every single banana consumed west of the Rocky Mountains (United States and Canada) enters the country here.
Our Port is the fourth largest of the eleven ports in California, and a major economic contributor.
$9.2B economic impact to state
$2M impact for each cruise that starts / ends in San Diego. This industry has been impacted by Pandemic, and Chairperson Castellanos preditcs that 600,000 passengers in 2023-2024
64,000 jobs (indirect and indirect)
$200M annual budget
500+ employees
There is a special relationship between the Port and military for national security and readiness. We are a “Strategic Port” one of only eighteen posts with this designation in the entire country, for both for our service to the nation and for our role as a conduit for military cargo.
Game-changer for South Bay
$1.3B Gaylord Resort on Chula Vista Bayfront project will be a world-class resort. It is the biggest private-public project in history of San Diego. The 8700 room facility is the largest hotel project underway in the USA., and is expected to open in 2025.
Seaport Village Revitalization
Revitalization activities are being directly run by the Port Authority. The tenant occupancy rate is at 90% up from 70% under previous leaseholder. There is a emphasis on local (Mike Hess Brewing, Spill the Breans Coffee) and national (Malibu Farms, Gladstones) tenants.
Large-scale long-term plans for Seaport Village are yet approved. A developed has been selected - 1 Highway 1 Team in 2016. It is a complicated project with many structural complications including utilities, military debris, shoreline stabilization to be considered. Proposed development include: tower, multiple types of hotels, public beach, living shoreline, butterfly garden, revitalization of fishing industry / market and a expanded promenade. The environmental review is underway, which will take several years. It is expected that plans will continue to evolve and refined over time.
other projects underway
Freedom Park @ USS Midway is a $65M project to convert the pier to a private park, which will include parking for visitors,
1220 Pacific Highway is a 3.4 acres office complex the Navy has occupied since 1949. This property will revert to the Port over the next two years as the Navy vacates to alternaitve site. The Lane Field Hotel Group have first right to negotiate on this property. The intent to have B Street opened up to Bay, and Lane park extended, along with new retail and lodging.
Topgolf @ East Harbor Island is an eight-acre project on waterfront land estimated to attract half a million people per year to waterfront. It is in environmental review.
Rady Shell @ Jacobs Park is in its third season. This World Class venue continues to dazzle
Water Quality
The water from the Tijuana River Valley is contaminated with sewage that comes from Mexico and other areas of the border. The situation has caused South Bay beaches to be closed for 650 consecutive days now. Emergency situation. The Port, along with other San Diego leaders, have urged Newsom to declare an emergency over Tijuana River pollution. These officials are also meeting with federal government authorities to take action.
Fun Fact: 30,000 kids a year visit Port via field trips or nonprofits to learn about the environment
Environmental Impact
All projects require a full environmental review, which includes traffic, air quality, water quality. These factors are balanced with economic benefit. There are currently very strong environmental law in place. Legacy land-use decisions like locating the I-5 and Coronado Bridge in communities Barrio Logan. have had a negative impact on air pollution.
Commissioner Castellanos
A dedicated leader in building communities, Commissioner Castellanos has served on approximately 26 committees, boards, and forums during his tenure on the Board of Port Commissioners. He has served as Chairman of the Port’s Environmental Advisory Committee since 2014, he led the charge to approve the Port’s Climate Action Plan, and he has helped the Port plan for sea level rise. He has also represented the Board on the Barrio Logan Community Planning Group since 2015 and helped lead the pledge to provide emergency funding for households affected by air pollution resulting from the fire onboard the USS Bonhomme Richard in July 2020.
Commissioner Castellanos was very instrumental in launching the Port’s Blue Economy Incubator program, through which he championed developing partnerships with innovative businesses that could deliver multiple social, environmental, and economic benefits to the Port and the region. Other Port initiatives he helped lead include the adoption of the Port’s Maritime Clean Air Strategy, which aims to improve public health and air quality, particularly in underserved communities neighboring San Diego Bay, while also supporting efficient and modern maritime operations. The vision of the Maritime Clean Air Strategy is “Health Equity for All” reflecting the Port’s commitment to environmental justice.
Commissioner Castellanos is an advocate for minority and disadvantaged business owners. While he has been on the Board, the Port has become more inclusive and welcoming.