Better late than never for bayfront face-lift plan The talks started three years ago and never really convened in earnest until 2007 — but finally, the City of San Diego and the San Diego Unified Port District have given the go-ahead to the nearly $29 million first phase of the longstanding North Embarcadero visionary Plan. The first phase, which marks a block of West Broadway between the Navy and B Street piers, will include light poles that look like dancers, other public art, date palms, purple jacaranda trees, restrooms and shade areas. A slice of nearby Harbor Drive will be narrowed as a result of the plan, which altogether will cost $228 million and will encompass a mile and a half of Harbor Drive from Laurel Street to G Street. The city’s Downtown Redevelopment Agency will foot $18.6 million of the first-phase tab, with the port paying $10 million. Construction on the first phase is expected to begin next fall. In an unrelated matter, the port district also foresees construction of a Broadway Pier cruise-ship terminal. Council votes to oppose Tenth Avenue deck plan San Diego City Council voted 7–1 Tuesday to oppose Proposition B, the plan to build a sprawling development platform over Downtown’s Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal. The vote came on the heels of considerable criticism from several groups, among them a number of workers from Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 29 (see related story on page 7). The plan would reportedly affect about 400 union jobs, which would be interrupted during the platform’s construction. The initiative put forward by San Diego Community Solutions, LLC, would change the port’s master plan to allow commercial developments such as hotels and restaurants on port-controlled tidelands. Plans would include building a deck above the area — possibly including a sports stadium or arena. Attorney named in probe of Carol Lam’s dismissal Investigators have found no evidence that former U.S. Attorney Carol Lam of San Diego was fired nearly two years ago for prosecuting Republican members of Congress, according to a new report. Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey has named a prosecutor to investigate whether former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales or Republicans in Congress should face criminal charges in the firings of Lam and eight other U.S. attorneys. Nora Danehy, a Connecticut U.S. attorney, will head a criminal inquiry that follows the recommendation of internal Justice Department investigators who concluded that political considerations played a part in the firings of at least four of the prosecutors. Lam was among the eight attorneys fired in December of 2006. She left the office in February of 2007. She testified before House and Senate units that she was never told officials had problems with her performance. Justice Department officials later told lawmakers they were bothered by the low number of prosecutions of gun crimes and immigration law violations during Lam’s 4-and-a-half-year tenure. Judge blocks severance for former SEDC president A superior court judge, citing the potential for harm to tax­payers, has blocked payment of more than $100,000 to the former president of the Southeastern Economic Development Corporation. Judge Jay Bloom took the action Tuesday, Oct. 7, against Carolyn Smith, who left the agency Sept. 24 amid allegations of fraudulent compensation packages. An audit released last month found that Smith granted more than $800,000 in extra compensation to herself and other staff over a five-year period. Smith was to have received the severance pay on Oct. 6. The nonprofit corporation is responsible for redevelopment east of Downtown. The court has scheduled another hearing next month to act on matters regarding the denial of payment through preliminary injunctions. Arsonist sought in fires in or near downtown Police investigators are seeking a suspected serial arsonist who has shoved incendiary materials into the mail slots at at least 10 San Diego businesses in or near downtown since July. No injuries have been reported, and damage has reportedly been minimal. The suspect is linked to four fires in July, three in August and three in September. The downtown fires occurred along Kettner Boulevard and India Street. The arsonist may be a transient, police said. San Diego Crime Stoppers and the San Diego Metro Arson Strike Team are offering up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with information about these fires, or the arsonist, should call Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. Mingle at Mingei set to raise funds for exhibits The Rotaract Club of Downtown San Diego will host a wine, beer and art fundraiser, with proceeds to benefit a landmark Balboa Park museum. Mingle at Mingei, to be held Saturday, Nov. 1 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Mingei International Museum, will feature a wine tasting, a raffle and a silent auction to raise funds for the museum’s exhibits and projects. Jessica Harris, Rotaract presidents, said in a statement that “We are honored to host this fundraiser for such a well-renowned international museum… .” Established in 1978, the Mingei collects, conserves and exhibits items of daily use by ancient craftsmen and by historical and contemporary designers. It operates a satellite venue in Escondido. Rotaract is an offshoot of Rotary International and comprises a group of young professionals dedicated to public service. The Mingei International Museum is located at 1439 El Prado. For further information on the event, call 239-0003 visit www.mingei.org.