Council agrees to consider pathway

June Casagrande

Garnering a tepid response from most council members, an ambitious

plan to build a waterfront walkway from the Arches Bridge to the

Balboa Bay Club limped forward on Tuesday.

The $7 million to $13 million Mariner’s Mile Waterfront Walkway,

council members decided at their study session, is worth putting on a

regular council agenda for further study. The first step will be to

find out whether the federal government will change the rules on how

far out into the water piers can extend. Though it could take years

just to get the permits, it would create room for a 6- to 10-foot

wide walkway behind Mariner’s Mile businesses.

Mayor Tod Ridgeway has long been supportive of the idea of

transforming the area into an elegant and popular waterfront

promenade. Councilman Don Webb, whose district includes the area,

also supports moving forward.

But their enthusiasm hasn’t been contagious to colleagues. Gary

Adams and Steve Rosansky agreed to take the next step but thought

that the plan needed to be longer-term and part of a farther-reaching

redevelopment of the entire area. Steve Bromberg expressed grave

doubts that the project is realistic. John Heffernan and Dick Nichols

weren’t sold.

“My sense is that it’s going to turn into an extremely costly

project,” Bromberg said.

The $7.25 million to $13.25 million estimated price tag doesn’t

include things such as legal liability and compensating property

owners there for the inconvenience and temporary or permanent use of

some of their land or facilities -- costs even the city’s hired

consultant said would be hard to put a price tag on.

The biggest costs come from the fact that the three-quarter mile

stretch of waterfront is now a hodgepodge of businesses, boat slips,

boat launch ramps and restaurants, some of which extend all the way

to the water. Bulkheads in the area vary from parcel to parcel.

“Technically, it is feasible,” said Randy Mason, a consultant for

Cash and Associates Engineering, which has been looking the

feasibility of the project for the city.

But the city would have to clear some daunting engineering

hurdles: The walkway would in some places extend over the water; in

other places, it would take advantage of existing sidewalks and open

areas. To get around an existing boat ramp, the city would either

have to install a draw bridge or wind the walkway away from the water

and toward Coast Highway to get around one area.

Then there is the question of whether pedestrians, especially boat

parade watchers, would block views of diners in the restaurants

there.

“You’ll be eating your halibut steak and people will be outside

looking at your halibut steak,” said Dave Winkler, owner of the Rusty

Pelican restaurant. “I think it’s a great idea, but you’re going to

have to work it out.”