Politics & Government

Seacoast Drive Economic Development on Wednesday City Council Meeting Agenda

The city wants to get more involved with economic development on Seacoast Drive ahead of the construction of a hotel to replace the Seacoast Inn that is scheduled to open its doors by August 2012.

City Council will receive short and long term plans Wednesday prepared by City Manager Gary Brown aimed at how to best capture economic opportunity on Seacoast Drive. 

At an Oct. 12 city workshop, economic opportunity on Seacoast Drive dominated discussion. The council seemed to conclude that swift action was necessary to capture economic opportunity on Seacoast Drive in large part since the hotel to replace the Seacoast Inn will be completed by August 2012.

"We need to work faster than our usual pace," Councilman Ed Spriggs said at the meeting. "If we do that, we won't have plans in place until the hotel gets here."

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Spriggs said he didn't think the city should be "sticking our head in business owners doors and telling them how to do business," but that the city should "facilitate and catalyze" Seacoast Drive business development.

Brown estimates that implementing the plan may cost between $100,000 to $150,000 a year in city staff time, consulting fees and other expenses. Funding sources have not yet been explored.

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The proposed plan calls for three areas of focus: partnering, physical improvements and promotion.

A partnership aspect calls for participation from local business organizations like the Chamber of Commerce and Business Improvement District but also the Port of San Diego, business owners, residents and property owners. From these Seacoast stakeholders, a Seacoast Drive Steering/Oversight Committee should be established.

Community forums are also recommended to discuss ways to improve Seacoast Drive and the beach portion of the city's economy.

The physical improvement plan suggestions include more monument signs at key city intersections, install bike racks and new surfboard benches, new childrens playground at Pier Plaza and a bulletin board or kiosk at 2nd Street and Palm Avenue.

Promotion centered around ecotourism would also play a role in the plan, calling for coordination with the Tijuana estuary, hotel and Audubon Society marketing programs. IB bird, flora and activity guides can be made and kiosks installed along particular portions of the beachfront. It also suggests the city retain a business liaison. 

The six-month plan to be initiated before the hotel is built would include but not be limited to:

- meet with vacant property owners on Seacoast Drive to seek improvements to property

- meet with business owners to set priorities and assess their desire for more code enforcement

- identify immediate capital improvement opportunities on Seacoast Drive, particularly through Port of San Diego funding

An 18-month plan would aim to:

- increase ecotourism marketing and launch a media campaign

- seek Port of San Diego funding "especially since the Sandcastles will not be happening"

 - issue requests for proposals for development of vacant properties

A letter by Bob Miller, one of three people who attended the Oct. 12 meeting, was specifically mentioned in the work plan. 

"Many prior IB City Councils have tried to bring about a new and beautiful signature project on Seacoast Drive. The legacy of this City Council and Staff will reflect what you have done to take advantage of the new Seacoast Inn," he said in the letter.

This is agenda item 6.3.

In other meeting matters, behind closed doors before the meeting, City Manager Gary Brown and City Attorney Jennifer Lyons will meet with Sudberry Properties.

A Disposition and Development Agreement may be submitted to council for approval in December for the construction of a new shopping center at 9th STreet and Palm Avenue, Redevelopment Coordinator Jerry Selby said.

A closed Council session will be held with Sudberry. Action from the closed session will be be announced "if appropriate." 

City of Imperial Beach appointed Port Commissioner Dan Malcolm will give a report on Port District activities to the City Council. This is agenda item 6.2.

Two other Port of San Diego matters are also on the agenda which will be discussed after Malcolm's report.

Council will vote to adopt a memorandum of understanding that will allow the Port to contribute $1 million for Imperial Beach's portion of the SANDAG regional beach sand project scheduled to take place in spring 2012.

The city must select Port of San Diego funded capital improvements projects for fiscal years 2014-2018. Projects will be discussed in a February 2012 port district meeting but project assessment forms must be submitted to the port by Dec. 19. Staff recommendations will be made at the meeting. This is agenda item 6.4.

Council will also vote to approve a $1.5 million contract bid from PAL General Engineering to complete street improvements from Daisy Avenue south to Imperial Beach Boulevard to take place after the construction of the hotel to replace the Seacoast Inn.

The city's Community Development department staff will ask Council to approval request for proposals for affordable housing development at 10th Street and Donax Avenue, a city owned vacant lot.


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