July 23, 1999
Commentary
By Remigia Bermúdez
The draft Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (DSEIR) on the proposed ballpark and ancillary developments commissioned by Centre City Development Corporation, an independent corporation of the City of San Diego Redevelopment Agency, is unacceptable, incomplete, and irresponsible.
The surrounding and adjacent communities of Sherman Heights, Grant Hill, Stockton, Memorial, Barrio Logan, Logan Heights, Golden Hill, South Park, Mount Hope and other communities nearby are sure to carry the brunt of the negative impacts associated with the total ballpark development and operation. Evidence to this is the fact that identified impacts and mitigation measures in the DSEIR only address the impacts to downtown, noise and light pollution are only assessed for a two-block or 4-block radius surrounding the proposed ballpark and ancillary developments. The transportation analysis and impacts do not address freeway congestion and on- and off-ramp freeway/community access, air quality hot spots, arterial corridors, alternate transportation routes within these neighborhoods and all other impacts that will significantly adversely affect communities immediately south and east of the ballpark, unless adequately mitigated.
The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is our only legal measure to ensure impact protection and mitigation for our communities. Without the inclusion of our communities within the Environmental Impact Report, we in the communities will not have legal protection from health and quality of life degeneration from unmitigated noise, air, light, and hazardous material (fumigation/massive insecticides) pollution; traffic congestion, crime, housing damage and business losses caused by significant noise levels above environmentally-safe thresholds.
I recognize that there may be benefits associated with its development and operation. However, without a written contract from the City Council (Redevelopment Agency), City Administration, CCDC, and the Padres committing funding to include public facilities and service maintenance, improvements and development our communities of Golden Hill, Sherman Heights, Stockton, Memorial, Barrio Logan, Logan Heights, Grant Hill, South Park, and Mt. Hope are doomed to continued neglect from City Hall and perhaps another 20 years for the long-awaited undergrounding of utilities.
Residents from the surround communities urge CCDC and City officials to cause for an addendum to the draft SEIR where the impacts of the ballpark of adjacent and nearby communities are assessed and mitigation measures are identified. The operation of the ballpark, and its ancillary development, have wide-ranging effects and its impacts cannot be constrained to a two- to four-block radius. It is simply ludicrous, irresponsible and disrespectful to those of us who live and work in the surrounding communities located east and south of the proposed ballpark project. Not only will we suffer the consequence of unmitigated impacts but also we will be forced to "be at the park while home in our own neighborhoods." It should not have to be "Our Homes at the Park."
(Remigia Bermúdez possesses over 8 years professional experience in redevelopment and over 20 years in community planning and community advocacy. She is a resident of Sherman Heights.)
Community Meetings: Speak Out On The Ballpark Development and Updates on Downtown Redevelopment
Your opportunity to discuss the impact of the downtown ballpark and future downtown redevelopment projects, with the City of San Diego and the Centre City Development Corporation will be at several community meetings this month and through August.
Everything from the proposed ballpark redevelopment project to the historic rehabilitation of the El Cortez Hotel will be discussed. The meetings will include speakers from CCDC and the City of San Diego, followed by a question and answer session with the audience.
The following is a schedule of the meeting dates, times, and locations:
· Thursday, July 29, 1999 - 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Sherman Heights Community Center, 2260 Island Avenue
· Thursday, August 5, 1999, 1999 - 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Salvation Army Fellowship Hall, 4170 Balboa Avenue
· Wednesday, August 11, 1999 - 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Scripps Miramar Ranch Library Center, 10301 Scripps Lake Dr.
· Thursday, August 12, 1999 - 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Tubman Chavez Community Center, 415 Euclid Avenue.
· Tuesday, August 17, 1999 - 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Weingart City Heights Public Library, 3795 Fairmount Avenue.
· Wednesday, August 18, 1999 - 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Carmel Highland Doubletree Golf and Tennis Resort, 14455 Penasquitos Drive.
• Wednesday, August 25, 1999 - 5:30-:00 p.m., Luce Auditorium (Naval Training Center) 2650 Truxton Rd. Enter at Gate 3.
· Thursday, August 26, 1999 - 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Patrick Henry High School Auditorium, 6702 Wandermere Dr.
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