Mission Beach Precise Planning Board was briefed Feb. 17 on the new South Mission Beach Lifeguard Station and about Belmont Park’s ongoing redevelopment.
“The lifeguard tower was constructed in 1974 as a temporary facility,” said city engineer Jihad Sleiman. “It is deteriorated, small, old and no longer serves the needs of the city lifeguards and the beach going public on this mile-long section of beach.”
Sleiman gave a slideshow presentation showing floor plans for the new tower.
“The project is going to have a rescue vehicle facility to store rescue craft, trucks and first-aid kits,” he said, adding the facility will also have separate men’s and women’s restrooms and a main observation tower on the third level, which he noted is “less than 150 square feet.”
Sleiman said the new tower would be “an orientation landmark on the beach.”
Not everyone however was pleased with the lifeguard tower’s design. Ken and Lindsay Giavara, who live near the project at 2703 Ocean Front Walk, said their neighbors hadn’t been properly noticed by the city about the project. They also contended that the new tower is too close to existing residences and ought to be moved.
“We’ll be looking right at a 4,000-square-foot structure,” said Ken Giavara. “We feel that if you moved it further south, it would be a much better location for this landmark. It would be at a higher elevation off the beach and allow easier access to the parking lot.”
Lifeguard chief Rick Wurts answered that the reason why a more northerly location for the new lifeguard station was chosen is because it’s “more centrally located” on the beach affording lifeguards better views of the area they’re protecting.
Giavara pointed out the 13 years the lifeguard tower has been in development is an exceptionally long time. He noted much has changed, including residents living nearby, adding that should have prompted additional public review.
Board chair Debbie Watkins suggested the Giavaras contact Second District Councilmember Lorie Zapf and the mayor’s office to register their comments and concerns.
Sleiman said the total lifeguard tower replacement cost is $4.9 million. He added construction is expected to start within the next few weeks and be completed by summer 2016. The old structure will be razed. Belmont Park lease
Dan Hayden with Pacifica Enterprises Inc., a partner in Belmont Park’s redevelopment, said further City Council consideration of the proposed controversial lease extension for Belmont has been delayed to allow the city more time to review the existing lease agreement. He said renovation of existing park retail spaces is nearing completion for both Sun Diego and Wings. He added final remodeling will be complete in six to eight weeks for Cannonball, a 6,000-square-foot rooftop restaurant bar overlooking Mission?Beach, which is bringing Pacific Rim-inspired cuisine to the complex.
Belmont Park is now jointly operated by hospitality company eat. drink. sleep (EDS) and Pacifica Real Estate Services. “Our goal is to have this park be one of the top six in San Diego, along with Petco Park, Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld and Legoland,” said Brett Miller, Belmont Park’s managing partner in a previous article in the Beach & Bay Press. Current owners redeveloping Belmont Park say they’re not trying to reinvent Mission Beach’s seven-acre, 88-year-old oceanside amusement complex. Rather, they said, they are just trying to “localize it.”
Mission Beach Precise Planning Board meets the third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. in Belmont Park Community Room, 3146 Mission Blvd. on the second floor on the north side of the park above the arcade.