What's Inside
Silver Strand Improvement
Keeping Coronado's Beaches Clean
Restaurant Renovations Complete
Traffic Questions & Answers
Library Construction Underway

Council's Corner
COMMUNITY CENTER UPDATE

Q. What is the current status of the Community Center plan?
A. The Community Center plan has been updated so that the basketball court now measures 94 feet in length and the building is 35 feet high. Both measurements are consistent with November's election results.

Q. How will the new Community Center benefit Coronado's residents?
A. The vibrant new Community Center will serve as a special gathering place for the entire community and host programs and activities for children, teens, adults and seniors.

Q. Will the Community Center be open to the general public or only to Coronado residents?
A. Everyone is welcome at the Community Center. Areas such as the pool and fitness center may require users to pay small fees.

Q. When will the City begin construction? How long will it take?
A. The City expects to break ground on the Glorietta Bay Master Plan, which includes the Community Center, this summer and the project is expected to be completed by Fall 2004.

Library Construction Underway

The City of Coronado has selected C.E. Wylie Construction Co. to begin the renovation and expansion of the Coronado Public Library. The project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2004. The library will be open during the renovation period.

For more information on the renovation and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit the library's website at www.coronado.lib.ca.us and click on Search Library Catalog.
What's Next
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT IN CORONADO
AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS
WHERE DO YOU THINK YOUR TAX DOLLARS GO?
AND MUCH MORE...
City Council Narrows Down Long-Term Traffic Solutions to Four Options

Relieving regional traffic congestion in and around the City of Coronado is one of the City Council's top priorities. In particular, the Council is focused on improving traffic flows on State Routes 75 and 282. These areas span from the foot of the San Diego-Coronado Bridge at Third and Fourth streets to Naval Air Station North Island. Recently, the Council took an important step toward developing a long-term traffic solution by narrowing down potential options to four viable choices.

"The San Diego-Coronado Bridge is an asset that serves the greater San Diego community," said Jim Benson, City of Coronado Director of Engineering and Project Development. "Much of the traffic congestion in Coronado comes from regional sources. We are working closely with those who use and benefit from this corridor to develop regional solutions to traffic impacts."

The San Diego-Coronado Bridge was constructed in 1969. Original bridge projections accounted for approximately 20,000 car trips per weekday. Today, the bridge accommodates roughly 89,000 trips each day of the week. By 2030, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) estimates that more than 107,000 cars will travel over the bridge per weekday. During peak weekdays, traffic counts already approach SANDAG's projections. In 2002, the City's Engineering Department embarked on a regional traffic study funded by the federal government. The intent is to evaluate traffic congestion solutions and develop an alternative that best meets the needs of the City and the San Diego region. A total of 14 alternatives were identified and studied by City staff and consultants. Alternatives ranged from a "no-build" concept that would retain the existing street alignments to more elaborate solutions, such as tunnels, trenches and underpasses.

Option Project Type Description
Strategy A
 Underpasses Underpasses under Third and Fourth streets would be created at Orange Avenue.
Strategy B
 Covered Trench A partially covered trench would span from the foot of the bridge to North Island.
Strategy C
 One Tunnel One tunnel with two lanes would be cut or bored underneath the City from the foot of the bridge to Naval Air Station North Island.
Strategy D
 Two Tunnels Two identical single-lane tunnels would be bored underneath

On December 19, the City Council narrowed down potential solutions to the four outlined in the chart above.

The total cost for these solutions ranges between $60 million and $330 million. and each will take approximately three years to construct.

"All four options address Coronado's traffic needs in different ways," said Benson. "Our goal is to determine which of the four options best meets the needs of Coronado residents, businesses and regional commuters."

One of the potential traffic solutions, a bored tunnel under the city, was supported by Coronado residents in 1998. Proposition O, which asked residents whether the City should seek federal funding for a bored tunnel solution, was approved by 83 percent. Shortly thereafter, the City initiated a pre-design study to evaluate different tunnel options.

"Our goal is to determine which of the four options best meets the needs of Coronado residents, businesses and regional commuters."
-Jim Benson
City of Coronado
The study found that five potential options were possible in Coronado. These options were integrated into the City's current study (Major Investment Study), which will identify a preferred traffic congestion solution in April of this year.

Similar tunnel projects have been developed in other parts of the United States. For example, a bored tunnel at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport has helped ease regional traffic congestion, as will the tunnel under construction at San Diego State University for the trolley.

"From an engineering perspective, a tunnel underneath the City of Coronado is a real possibility," said Gail Brydges with the City's Engineering Department. "Our next step is to continue working with regional partners to evaluate what is best for the community of Coronado and the region as a whole."

In the coming months, additional community meetings and workshops will be held to gather input from Coronado residents and businesses about the four remaining options. For more information, contact Jim Benson at 619.522.7383, email the City at SR75MIS@coronado.ca.us or visit the City's website at www.coronado.ca.us.

Silver Strand Improvement Project
Creating a More Accessible Bayfront

Work on the Silver Strand Improvement Project has begun. When it is complete, the scenic area along State Route 75 (SR 75) will be more accessible, interesting and enjoyable for Coronado residents and visitors. Benefits from the project include expanded open space, new recreational areas, and improved educational opportunities for those interested in learning more about the unique ecological environment along the Silver Strand.

The project is being funded primarily through a grant from the Transportation Enhancement Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21, see box to right for more information), which was awarded to the cities of Coronado and Imperial Beach in March 2000. Phase I of the project is scheduled to be completed by March 2003.

For a closer look at some of the project features, see below.

Click here to view an enlarged version of the Silver Strand Improvement Project
Aerial Fotobank

Keeping Coronado's Beaches Clean

The City of Coronado encourages residents to help prevent pollutants from entering storm drains through its Best Management Practices program.
Click here to view enlarged image.
Ed Gohlich
There are several things that you and your family can do to help keep our coastlines cleaner. Want to make a difference, but don 't know where to start? The City of Coronado 's Department of Public Services recommends the following easy steps to help reduce pollution.

The storm drains are for rainwater only.
The City's storm drain system flows directly into the ocean and San Diego Bay without any treatment. Avoid depositing additional substances into the drains as they could harm wildlife and recreational areas.

Call the Department of Public Services to report dumping.
If you see anyone dumping pollutants into storm drain inlets contact the City.

Dispose of household chemicals properly.
Motor oil, paint, solvents, fertilizers, and pesticides can be taken to the City 's Household Hazardous Waste collection site to be recycled.

Support the City 's street sweeping program.
Move vehicles from the street on sweeping days.

Always clean up after your pets.
Pet waste contains harmful bacteria that can spread disease, and when it rains, these bacteria are washed into the storm water system.

Dispose of yard waste in designated yard waste containers.
Do not sweep leaves or debris into the street or gutter.

For more information on how residents and businesses can help reduce pollution and create cleaner coastlines for our community, contact Scott Huth, Director of Public Services, at 619.522.7380.

Boathouse Restaurant Renovations Complete

The Boathouse 1887, located at 1701 Strand Way, recently re-opened to serve Coronado's residents and visitors.
Click here to view enlarged image.
Ed Gohlich
Renovations to the Coronado Boathouse 1887 restaurant, purchased by the City 's Community Development Agency (CDA) in 2000, are complete, and the historical structure recently re-opened for business. The CDA and the restaurant operator have invested a combined total of more than $1.5 million to restore the facility to its original grandeur. In addition to interior and exterior renovations and remodeling, structural and safety upgrades have been incorporated into the site.

The building was originally constructed in 1887 and was known as the Boathouse. It was designed by the Reid brothers, the same architects who designed the Hotel Del Coronado. Some of the unique features of the building include a bellcast-hipped roof with a widow 's walk, an observation deck and a variety of dormers. The Boathouse was originally situated 80 feet from the shore in Glorietta Bay with a long dock connecting it to shore. The building served as the original home to the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, and later as the headquarters for the Coronado Yacht Club and the San Diego Yacht Club. The Hotel Del Coronado used the site for recreational activities for its guests for many years. In 1967, it was relocated closer to shore and opened as the Chart House restaurant.

The current improvements are coordinated with the soon-to-be commenced Glorietta Bay Master Plan. The restaurant is leased to Coronado Boathouse 1887, which has remodeled the interior, complete with a new kitchen. The restaurant will continue to serve Coronado residents and visitors for many years to come. truly a jewel in the Coronado crown.

The City of Coronado Tunnel Project and Major Investment Study
Frequently-Asked Questions

NEXT COMMUNITY
WORKSHOP ON TRAFFIC
MARCH 25, 2003
AT CORONADO VILLAGE
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The City held two public workshops last year to gather input from Coronado residents about potential traffic solutions. The following are answers to some of the frequently-asked questions raised during the workshops.

1) What is the City doing in the short- and long-term to relieve traffic congestion?

Traffic is a top priority for the City of Coronado. The City has been actively working with the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), local businesses and community residents to find permanent solutions to reduce short- and long-term traffic congestion. The recent selection of the four major improvement strategies is a result of an ongoing process initiated by the City to specifically address this issue.

2) What other traffic relief options is the City currently considering?

The City has narrowed down potential long-term traffic solutions to four choices. In April, the Council is expected to select one option. Additional public workshops and hearings will be conducted in the next few months to gather input from the community. For more information on this process, see the story on the front page of this newsletter.

3) Is a tunnel that runs under the city really an option?

Constructing a tunnel underneath the city, extending from the foot of the San Diego-Coronado Bridge to Naval Air Station North Island, is one possible option. The concept was originally suggested as a solution to alleviate traffic congestion. In 1998, Proposition O, which asked citizens whether the City should seek funding for a bored tunnel, was supported by 83 percent of Coronado voters.

4) What would it cost Coronado residents to construct the tunnel?

The City's goal is to obtain necessary funds for the long-term traffic solution from State and Federal government sources, and not from taxpayers. To date, the City has committed $6 million of the toll reserve funds and $1 million of general funds toward analysis and construction of a long-term capital project. Estimated total cost for this project will range from $60 million to $330 million, depending on the selected option.

5) How long will it take to complete the tunnel project?

The City Council plans to select its preferred strategy by April 2003. After securing all funding and approvals, construction of the project is expected to take approximately three years.

6) What role is the Navy playing to develop traffic solutions in Coronado?

The Navy is an important partner with the City for a successful outcome to this regional challenge. It is anticipated that the Navy will help the City's efforts by making monetary contributions and in-kind contributions, such as the implementation of a compatible Third Street Gate project and construction area.

7) Why has traffic congestion become such an issue in Coronado?

The need to sustain consistent and trouble-free traffic flows is essential to everyone, especially daily travelers. The growth of Coronado's daily population and the Navy's military operations, as well as SANDAG's removal of the bridge toll, has significantly contributed to increased traffic congestion.

8) How does traffic in Coronado impact the County of San Diego and other parts of the region?

The San Diego-Coronado Bridge is a regional asset that serves the greater San Diego community. Statistics show that people from all over the greater San Diego metropolitan area travel over the bridge to get to work and engage in recreational and tourism activities. Military installations on Coronado play an important role in our local economy throughout the communities of San Diego and Riverside counties.

9) Why does anything have to be done now that the bridge toll was removed?

The corridor from the San Diego-Coronado Bridge is one of the busiest arterials in the greater San Diego region and supports commuter traffic to the naval air station, and residential and business access to Coronado. Since the toll removal, trends show increasing daily trips in this corridor. Long-term permanent solutions to meet commuter and resident needs are necessary to accommodate this change.

10) How can I get involved or find more information about traffic solutions in Coronado?

For more information about the City's efforts to reduce traffic congestion, contact Jim Benson at 619.522.7383, email the City at SR75MIS@coronado.ca.us or visit the City's website at www.coronado.ca.us. Your comments and feedback are welcomed.