Page 90: "In total, the projects would create 95,959 jobs that receive more than $5 billion in wages and pay more than $1.8 billion in local, state, and federal taxes. Overall, the construction of these projects would raise the San Diego Region’s Gross Metropolitan Product (GMP), the value of all goods and services produced in the locally economy during the year, by more than $12 billion." (NOTE: Is this based on anything other than wishful thinking and heroic assumptions?)

Posted by Fred Williams | reply to this comment
December 22, 2008 5:40 pm

Scott, If you had done ANY research on this project before you started to belittle it, the Coronado Bowling Lawn was, prior to the construction of the new Library, one of the most popular venues in Coronado for residents. Its not a skate park, or a second pool, but its something that was well used by the mostly senior members of our community. A promise was made to replace it when it was lost during construction. It makes sense to replace it with a synthetic surface with our current and potential water situation. On the same list, there are $1.3million dollars of tennis improvements. 1.3 million bucks for knocking a ball back and forth over a net? $350,000 will provide a competition quality revenue generator for the city. Bowlers might not be sexy, but they create TOT when they come to town.

Posted by Coronado Resident | reply to this comment
December 22, 2008 9:56 pm

This "list" is embarrassing. Anyone can put together a jumble of a "wish" list. Without prioritizing needs, this list is worthless! A five year old's letter to Santa lists what they want most at the top (probably an IPOD) The governmental entities involved should have lists already generated (with justification) prioritizing requests reflecting various scenarios of need and available funding. Isn't there a five year plan somewhere?

Posted by T. Tanaka | reply to this comment
December 23, 2008 9:33 am

Many critical infrastructure projects are needed; some are forwarding looking and could help reduce energy and water usage. Certainly, we can make cases for many projects that nice to have, but in these times, are they essential? Building a bowling lawn in one of the richest areas in San Diego may be a worthy project, but is it important relative to other ones? Couldn't Coronado look to some of its wealthy citizens for contributions, hold bake sales, or find other ways to raise money? Charge fees? This is similar to my neighbor's daughter who can't make her house payment, but still has to have her hair colored and have a pedicure because otherwise life would just be TOO depressing. Is is possible for us as a community to make hard decisions or are we even in these times to be directed by special interests?

Posted by Janet | reply to this comment
December 23, 2008 1:55 pm

Coronado DOES contribute. Just because San Diego can't get its act together and cover the cost of its infastructure, doesn't mean that we shouldn't get our fair share of cash that goes up to Sacramento and comes back in a lower proportion. Do you know how much water it takes to keep a grass bowling green green? 46 gallons per square foot. Same as a football field, or your front lawn. That's how much. That bowling green that was destroyed and kind of rebuilt it there. It takes almost 700,000 gallons of water to keep it green every year. This field will last 15-20 years. Which is a savings of 14million gallons of water. Added that it will create usage fees and TOT revenue, sounds like a great idea to me.

Posted by Coronado Resident | reply to this comment
December 29, 2008 9:31 pm

Page 42, City of San Diego – Local Transportation Projects, Ready to Advertise: #9, "Downtown Quiet Zone", Local Streets and Roads, $20,000,000

Posted by Fred Williams | reply to this comment
December 22, 2008 5:21 pm

Page 43: "North Embarcadero Visionary Plan", Phase I - West Broadway, Local Streets and Roads, $7,800,000 (Note: Isn't this the same place they want to spend the infamous Grantville Settlement Mloney? See: link

Posted by Fred Williams | reply to this comment
December 22, 2008 5:23 pm

Page 44: "Asian Pacific Thematic Historic District Improvements", Local Streets and Roads, $2,500,000 -- "Little Italy Public Improvements-PH2", (sidewalks, signs, landscaping), Local Streets and Roads, $1,600,000

Posted by Fred Williams | reply to this comment
December 22, 2008 5:30 pm

Page 74: County of San Diego "COC Redevelopment: Buildings 201, 202", Buildings, $98,940,000

Posted by Fred Williams | reply to this comment
December 22, 2008 5:33 pm

Page 75: "Registrar of Voters Relocation", Buildings, $30,000,000 -- "COC Redevelopment: Fleet Admin, Parking Structure A, Offsites", Buildings, $49,950,000

Posted by Fred Williams | reply to this comment
December 22, 2008 5:35 pm

Page 77: "COC Redevelopment: Phase 1B Buildings 203, 204 and Conference Center/Planning Commission Hearing Room", Buildings, $122,624,290

Posted by Fred Williams | reply to this comment
December 22, 2008 5:37 pm

I'm struck more by what's missing than by what's included. There seems to be some recognition on the part of the Obama team that the smartest way to spend this stimulus (apart from ASAP) is on things that will reduce costs to governments down the road. // For the most part, the projects in this list are of the day-to-day variety, and that would have to be completed one way or another (lots of water and sewer repairs). One could make a case that those would cost more if allowed to deteriorate, yes, and a case can be made that many of the road/transit projects marginally improve the region's economic efficiency. But it's still a pretty unimpressive list. Where are all the energy efficiency projects? The water saving projects? The automation projects? The creative ways to help this spending pay for itself? Amongst the hundreds, I see only a handful.

Posted by Augmented Ballot | reply to this comment
December 22, 2008 7:52 pm

I'm a, let's just say, a Balboa Park Resident. I'm not really, but let's just say for a few seconds that I am. What's wrong with the bowling lawn in Balboa Park? I love to go there and watch the grey panthers in white pumas have a good time.

Posted by Jesse | reply to this comment
December 29, 2008 4:49 pm

It's very interesting that you are able to quantify the amount of water required to properly maintain a lawn bowling green. Do you know how much that water would cost in your area? Apparently, in Australia, where they have perpetual water shortage, the government provides a financial grant to those clubs that convert to artificial surfaces. It would be interesting to see how much money could be saved in Coronado, if you did the same.

Posted by Tom Panzone | reply to this comment
January 29, 2009 10:50 am

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