Tom Driscoll’s commercial fishing wharf in Point Loma, San Diego, is in severe disrepair, with its piers on the verge of collapse. The Port of San Diego plans to take over and redevelop the facility, but this process could take years. Despite rejecting two redevelopment proposals from Driscoll and declining to renew his lease, the Port is requiring him to stay on the property and pay rent until the environmental work is completed and the piers can be demolished, which Driscoll must fund.
Driscoll’s family has run the marina since 1992, but the business has struggled due to financial constraints and a lack of investment. The marina is one of two commercial fishing facilities in San Diego, the other being Tuna Harbor, which is also in need of upgrades. Over the years, various plans for improvement have been proposed but were never fully realized due to funding issues.
The Port’s future plans include replacing the existing piers with floating docks, but the project faces challenges in terms of feasibility and funding. Meanwhile, Tuna Harbor is set to undergo its own redevelopment, which could lead to a consolidation of the two facilities.
Commercial fishing at the marina has been in decline, and maintaining such facilities has become increasingly difficult due to regulations and financial limitations. The Port’s involvement is seen as a way to ensure the continued viability of the commercial fishing industry in San Diego, though the transition has been contentious and fraught with challenges.