San Diego

Proponents of a bayfront park in Logan Heights have sued the San Diego Unified Port District, challenging the adequacy of the environmental impact report for a marine industrial site next to the park.

The suit, filed Tuesday in Superior Court by an attorney representing the Ad Hoc Committee for a Safe Bay Park, seeks the issuance of a new environmental report.

Another Barrio Logan group adheres to a compromise reached last month in their 16-year struggle to construct a 5.4-acre park on bayfront land when the Port District endorsed plans to build a 3.2-acre park at the foot of Crosby Street. The Chicano Park Steering Committee, a group that began the park effort 16 years ago, had sought the entire parcel but agreed to the compromise in which the remaining 2.2. acres would be reserved for marine use, primarily ship repairs.

However, attorney Michael G. McDonald, who represents the Ad Hoc Committee, composed of the Harborview Community Council and the American GI Forum, claims that the master plan adopted by the port district was incomplete because the environmental impact report did not analyze the types of materials that could be used for marine industrial purposes. Such materials, he said, could pose a hazard to park visitors.

Ronnie Trujillo, chairman of the Chicano Park Steering Committee, which is often in conflict with the Harborview Community Council, called the committee’s pending lawsuit a publicity stunt.

“All they have done is thwart attempts to gain a bay extension,” Trujillo said.

Port commissioners stood by the environmental report.

“I think there are people who don’t want to see a park built there,” said Port Commissioner Louis Wolfsheimer. “Some people just like to see a controversy brewing. I don’t think there’s any credence.”

Port Commissioner William B. Rick added, “I guess that’s their legal right. I’m sorry they feel they need to go to the law courts.” The California Coastal Commission is expected to rule on the parkland plan next month.