The Port of San Diego Board of Commissioners Tuesday unanimously directed staff to negotiate with the San Diego Symphony on a proposal to build a permanent outdoor concert venue at Embarcadero Marina Park South.
According to a port staff report, the symphony also wants to forge a long-term agreement for use of the park.
The port has granted the musical organization four-month operating permits annually since 2004 and receives a portion of ticket, food, beverage and merchandise sales revenue.
“This is a unique opportunity to provide a permanent home for waterfront concerts for one of our most beloved institutions, the San Diego Symphony, and reaffirm the port’s commitment to the arts,” said port Chairman Marshall Merrifield.
“Our board made the decision to move this proposal forward because of its potential to attract people to the waterfront and be a positive development for the entire San Diego region,” he said.
Port staff said the symphony has not provided a business plan, nor suggested financial terms as part of the proposal. However, the new facility, on 3.6 acres of the 10.6-acre park, would be available for other events on nights when the Summer Pops are off.
The symphony hosted 37 performances at the Pops site last summer.
The commissioners also directed staff to begin an environmental review of the proposal.
–City News Service