What's Inside
2 Infrastructure Investments Take Center Stage in 2007
3 City and County Offer Tips for Vector Control

Coronado Trees Stand Test of Time



The trees that decorate the streets of Coronado are an important part of the City’s history. Only through the dedication and vision of early Coronado pioneers, such as John D. Spreckels, were trees determined to be an important aspect of the community.

This dedication has been preserved through generations and exists today through the Heritage Tree Program adopted by the City Council in September 2004.

“One of the main goals of the Heritage Tree Program is to heighten public consciousness of the benefits of trees,” said Director of Public Services Scott Huth. “Clearly, the trees in Coronado add tremendous warmth and character to the City.”

The program was designed to identify, maintain and protect significant trees located in the City. The program’s goals include establishing a process of designating Heritage Trees on public or private property; encouraging maintenance, care and protection of the trees; informing and educating private property owners about the potential Heritage Trees they possess; and increasing public awareness of the environmental benefits of trees in general.

“By increasing awareness, we can help ensure that Coronado’s tree heritage will be preserved for future generations,” said Huth.

In April 2006, Coronado adopted its first Heritage Tree, the African Tulip Tree. This tree was planted by Mayor Tom Smisek to commemorate Arbor Day 2006. In addition, the Torrey Pine has been designated as the official tree of Coronado. This species was one of the first trees planted in the City. A native species to Southern California, the Torrey Pine grows well in Coronado, as well as other parts of San Diego County.

There are a series of criteria that a tree must meet to be considered a nominee for the Heritage Tree designation (see box). The Street Tree Committee meets twice annually to specifically consider each nomination.

For more information on the Heritage Tree Program, contact the Public Services Department at 619.522.7380 or visit the City’s web site at www.coronado.ca.us.


Heritage Tree Criteria
This Torrey Pine was planted in front of the main Library entrance.

After being accepted as a nominee, the tree must meet two of the three criteria below.

• Historical significance: planted by a person noteworthy in Coronado’s history, planted as a commemorative, tribute, or memorial, etc.

• Arboricultural significance: distinctive features, unusual species for area, etc.

• Minimum diameter: If the tree is a Southern California native tree, the diameter must be a minimum of eight inches, measured at four and a half feet above ground, or if the tree is a non- Southern California native tree, the diameter must be at least 24 inches.

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Sidewalks, Alleys, Gates and More in 2007

A new marina building will be constructed along Glorietta Bay.
cap•i•tal im•prove•ment pro•ject [noun] - an enhancement to City property that increases its future service potential for Coronado residents.

The new Third Street Gate (see description inside) will be built this year to improve access to NASNI. City officials have finalized a plan for numerous capital improvements this year. While construction on some has already begun, the City will continue to be busy improving the community through the summer. For a complete list of projects, see the inside spread of this newsletter.

“The City works hard to be proactive to the current and future needs of residents through capital improvement projects,” said Jim Benson, Assistant City Manager and Director of Engineering, who oversees the capital improvement project program. “Every year City officials evaluate an assortment of improvement projects and agree upon a list that fits within the City’s financial constraints and meets the community’s needs.”

Selecting the Right Projects
Countless City projects fall under the category of capital improvements. Road maintenance, sidewalk and alley improvements and underground utility work are just a few examples pursued annually by the City. Most projects are selected based on the level of immediate need. However, City officials also prioritize projects that will protect the community from unforeseen problems in the future.

“If a project is of a significant size and budget, we often develop a phased plan to be completed over the course of multiple years,” said Benson. “This strategy allows the City to make the best use of its budget and accomplish more capital improvement objectives.”

Glorietta Bay Marina
One example of a phased project that will be completed this year is the Glorietta Bay Marina, Marina Building and Yacht Club Promenade Redevelopment Project. Designed to improve pedestrian accessibility to the bay, this project is the final phase of the Glorietta Bay Master Plan, which included the new City Hall and Community Center completed in 2005.

The primary components of this project include dredging portions of the Glorietta Bay Marina; replacing and reconfiguring the deteriorated marina docks, shoreline rip rap and boat rental/ public dock; creating an eelgrass restoration site; removing the existing over-water marina support building and replacing the reconstructed building completely on the landside; constructing an adjacent promenade/sidewalk and seat wall; constructing a Bay Route bicycle path extension from Tenth Street to San Luis Rey Avenue; and realigning Strand Way while reconfiguring an existing parking lot to a shoreline pocket park and parking lot.

What to Expect
To accommodate project construction, Strand Way (north of the Coronado Boathouse 1887 restaurant extending to the Coronado Yacht Club) will be closed to vehicular traffic for approximately six months. Vehicular and pedestrian access to the entrance of the Coronado Yacht Club and the Coronado Boathouse 1887 restaurant will be maintained at all times during construction. The bike path will also remain open to the general public.

The entire project is scheduled to be completed by the Fourth of July. For more information on this project, please contact the Administrative Services Department at 619.522.7300.

The new Third Street Gate (see description inside) will be built this year to improve access to NASNI.

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Infrastructure Investments Take Center Stage in 2007
Below is a partial list of the capital improvement projects scheduled in the City this year. In addition, the City is also planning a new lawn bowling green, downtown streetscape improvements, a new Lifeguard Services building and rehabilitation of the Cays storm drain. A new animal care facility, improvements to Coronado Rotary Plaza and a new Glorietta Bay boathouse and clubroom are also under design. For more information, please contact the City’s Engineering Department at (619) 522-7383.

Lifeguard Tower and North Beach
Restroom Project
The old lifeguard tower was demolished in December 2006.
The Central Beach Lifeguard Tower will have a fresh look this summer. After the existing tower was found to be structurally deficient, the City developed plans to replace the tower with a more efficient and safe building. The new tower will feature an expanded first aid room to better treat injuries and to meet health care requirements. New restrooms will also be installed at North Beach. Both projects are slated to be completed by summer 2007.

Third Street Gate
Construction on Naval Air Station, North Island’s Third Street Gate Project (see graphic on previous page) is progressing. The new vehicle entrance will be operational in spring 2007, with additional work continuing through the summer. The new entrance will allow vehicles to enter the base directly from Third Street. The primary base exit would be at Fourth Street and Alameda Boulevard. The project will improve installation security and vehicle flow, and reduce the queuing of vehicles on residential streets. The new entrance will also include five vehicle entrance lanes, a truck inspection facility, a Pass Office/Visitor Center and an inter-modal transportation hub.

Golf Improvements – Holes 12, 13, 17
New bunkers are being added to Hole 12.
Participating in a picturesque game of golf at the Coronado Golf Course is a hobby that many residents enjoy. This year, City officials are taking extra steps to ensure the course is safe for players, while offering a few new challenges. Holes 12, 13 and 17 are being revamped to help golfers focus their play into the right areas of the course. New bunkers will be added to Holes 12 and 13 and expanded at Hole 17 to provide players with a better sense of depth perception. All improvements should be completed by July 2007.

Transbay Sewer Force Main
Currently, all of Coronado relies on a single sewer pipe that transports sewage under San Diego Bay. By installing a new line to replace the existing 35-year-old line, the City will have added protection against the possibility of a pipe failure and sewage spill. The project will extend underground from the Coronado Ferry Landing to the San Diego Metropolitan Wastewater Department collection system near Seaport Village. Once the new pipe is in place, the City will evaluate the condition of the original pipe to determine if it can be used as a backup pipe in an emergency. Construction began in December and will be completed in May 2007.

Sidewalk and Alley Improvements
Tree roots on Margarita Avenue have damaged the pavement.
Improving City-owned land, such as sidewalks and alleys, helps maintain a safe environment for residents. An example is the rehabilitation and resurfacing of Margarita Avenue. The road pavement has been degraded by tree root damage, as well as surface erosion, weathering and block cracking. The rehabilitation efforts will include reconstruction of the failed pavement areas and gutter construction. Selected alleys will also be repaired throughout the City in conjunction with sewer main replacements.

Traffic Volume Count Stations
The City must first understand traffic patterns on local streets before effective improvements can be put in place. New permanent traffic count stations are being installed to allow officials to continuously collect and monitor traffic volumes, speeds and vehicle classifications. Scheduled to be installed this summer, the first in the series of new stations will be located at Fourth Street and Alameda Boulevard and at the new Third Street Gate to Naval Air Station, North Island. The City is also talking with Caltrans about updating existing traffic count stations at the foot of the bridge, on Strand Highway near the Naval Amphibious Base and at Third and Fourth Streets on Orange Avenue.

City and County Offer Tips for Vector Control

City officials strive to provide an ideal village atmosphere for residents, but there are still a few small nuisances such as rats and mosquitoes (also known as vectors) that affect this City, just like other communities.

“The City works through the County of San Diego Vector Control Program to help private property owners handle potential vector problems,” said Scott Huth, Director of Public Services.

If residents fear they have a problem with vectors, they can contact the County and request that a representative conduct a walk-through inspection to assess problems. The County inspector will give residents advice on how to discourage pests from making a home on their property. The County can also provide a starter control kit for managing pests.

The County will provide a starter control kit, pictured above, upon resident request.

The County offers three core suggestions for protecting homes and businesses from rats. The first is to make sure houses or businesses are rodent proof. Rodents can get in through small open spaces, like air vents and under doors. By tightening up all gaps and holes on the outside of properties, owners can reduce their likelihood of being infested. The second is to curb a rodent’s access to a food supply. Property owners should keep pet food and trash covered and quickly pick up fallen or rotten fruit from yard trees. Finally, remove dense vegetation, debris or wood piles. This will disturb the habitat of rodents.

As for mosquitoes, standing water is the biggest contributor to this problem. Residents are encouraged to sweep water out of puddles on their property so it will dry out. Problems can also arise from bird baths, decorative ponds, the bases of potted plants and drain areas. City officials suggest that residents control irrigation runoff and try not to over water plants.

The Public Services Department handles all vector control for City facilities such as parks, beaches, curbs and gutters. For more information on how to protect private properties or report a problem with a City facility, contact the Public Services Department at 619.522.7830. To schedule a walk-through assessment on private property, contact the County of San Diego at 858.694.2888.


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