San Diego's Broadway Pier — a Wart?

The new Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier is causing controversy even before its public unveiling, scheduled for the weekend of December 18-19. The Port of San Diego will be hosting a celebratory open house on the 18th in honor of what they are calling the Luminous New Landmark on the Big Bay.

At 4:00 p.m., the Port will hold a pier dedication ceremony after a "blessing ceremony" by the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians. The free day of celebrations include food, radio personalities, carnival rides, and smooth-jazz music.

Sunday there is family fun capped off by the Parade of Lights - local boats bedecked in Christmas finery.

A blight on the festivities may include a maligning of the new Port Pavilion by the Orchids and Onions architectural review group in 2009 and 2010. The group stated in their "onion" award that "turning over the City’s important waterfront doorstep to commercial purposes erodes rather than supports this important community icon. By manipulating the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan and its associated approved environmental report they are constructing a non-compliant structure on one of the most important public spaces in our city.

"The North Embarcadero Visionary Plan envisioned four unobtrusive glass stair towers for visiting cruise ships. Since this is no longer allowed because of Homeland Security issues, the Port used this as an excuse to construct a complete second Cruise Ship Terminal on this public space. Instead of the view down Broadway of a grand celebratory space they will see another commercial enterprise obstructing the view of our bay."

Comments or the Orchids and Onions plans for the site in 2009 called the Pavilion a "wart on the waterfront" and an "abomination."

Starting December 18th, the public can decide for themselves.