Port Commissioner Bob Nelson announced that he was stepping down from the board at the conclusion of Tuesday’s meeting to concentrate on a proposed expansion of the San Diego Convention Center.
A long-planned enlargement of the meeting facility, which sits on land owned by the Port of San Diego, could go before voters in November. Mayor Kevin Faulconer hopes to pay for it with an increase in hotel room taxes.
“After 11 years working toward this milestone, I cannot now remain on the sidelines,” Nelson said. “At the same time, I do not believe the public trust would be served were I to campaign in the community for a `yes’ vote by night, and then make land-use and financial decisions about the related port property by day.”
The public relations executive said conflict-of-interest rules that govern him also constrain his business partners from participating in many of the public affairs challenges facing San Diego, including future decisions affecting the fate of the convention center.
“Stepping down from the port board enables me to pursue my passion as a private citizen and lets my associates provide professional services uncomplicated by my role as a port commissioner,” Nelson said.
He sat on the port’s governing board for six years and had just over 1 1/2 years remaining in his term.
The port handles development and land use along the San Diego Bay shoreline. Along with the convention center, other bayfront facilities like hotels and restaurants lease their land from the port.
Besides the planned convention center expansion, the port is involved in preparing a redevelopment of Seaport Village, a hotel and meeting center project at the Chula Vista Marina, and an addition of hotels to vacant land on Harbor Island.
Nelson was one of three representatives of the city of San Diego, and his replacement will be named by the City Council. The cities of Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach and National City have one representative each.
“The Board of Port Commissioners is losing a fine team member who has demonstrated leadership and commitment to the state of California, the San Diego region and the many communities we serve,” said Commissioner Marshall Merrifield, who also represents San Diego.
“Commissioner Nelson has brought a unique and valuable perspective to our work as a steward of our dynamic waterfront,” Merrifield said. “I will miss working with him on all the great projects ahead of us, but I know he will continue to contribute to the region through public service in his next venture.”
San Diego’s third commissioner, Rafael Castellanos, said Nelson’s dedication to the greater good of the San Diego region and the State of California is unquestioned.”
— City News Service
