Question:
The Bayside area of Coronado, from Orange Avenue to A Avenue faces the potential for significant change, from development proposals for the Coronado Ferry Landing, to HG Fenton ownership (and potential development) of the Smart & Final lot. What do you see as desirable for that area of Coronado and how would you as a City Council member have the City be engaged in that process?
Answer:
If elected, my main goal for the bayside area of Coronado would be a high degree of public access and involvement in the planning stages of any future developments. For anything new to succeed in this, or any part of Coronado, public support and patronage would be necessary. Business ventures that ignore or freeze the public out of the planning stages will lose valuable feedback from what could be the core of their business. Ignoring the public in the planning stages can also sour locals against a new business and start someone’s entrepreneurial idea off with a whimper. Involving residents in these early planning stages can not only yield valuable focus group information to a potential development, but it could also create some new local brand loyalty to such a development that takes the time to talk and brainstorm with people who live and work in this community. My job, if elected, will be to connect these new entrepreneurs and their potential developments with the people who would eventually have to be neighbors and patrons of these new establishments. I will do everything I can to offer thoughtful advice to all parties, and to help these groups to build bridges with one another.
