Parking meter pilot program to hit Tuna Harbor

SAN DIEGO – Visitors who park their car in the parking lot walking distance from Tuna Harbor are advised to have change handy as a new parking meter pilot program goes into effect May 15. Fees will increase from $1.25 to $1.75.

The Board of Port Commissioners adopted the ordinance at an April meeting that establishes a parking meter pilot program. The parking lot, which is located on Port tidelands, is located off Harbor Drive at G Street, south of the USS Midway Museum in an area known as Tuna Harbor.

Those who park at the lot are patrons of the two adjacent commercial fishing piers, the Fish Market Restaurant. The sculpture, “Unconditional Surrender” is also nearby.

“About 10 commercial fishing boats can berth at the two piers,” explained Marguerite Elicone, marketing and public relations representative with the port. “There are also 112 slips for commercial vessels.”

Hourly parking rates will jump from the current fee of $1.25 per hour, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, to $1.75 per hour, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Sunday. The new enforcement information will be posted at the entrance to the parking lot and on each meter.

According to the port, the pilot program will provide staff with data on the 186 meters at Tuna Harbor that will assist with recommended future changes in the port’s other parking meter lots. The pilot program is also aligned with the city of San Diego’s multiple pilot programs that are currently in process.

Parking along the North Embarcadero and Tuna Harbor reaches capacity seven days a week; weekends at Tuna Harbor are highly impacted. There is no parking fee on Sundays.

Parking meter rates have remained the same for several years despite significant increases in demand in various areas, according to the port.

Port staff will return with results of the pilot program to the Board of Port Commissioners in December 2014. At that meeting, staff will ask the board for a recommendation on how to proceed.