Change is coming, probably for better

In all likelihood, not until five or six years after Chula Vista’s bayfront hotel, resort, luxury condos and proverbial Shangri-la have been in place will I feel comfortable in breathing a sigh of relief and celebrating.

Or not.

It won’t be until the confetti has been long swept away, the cut ribbon recycled and the congratulatory, high-fiving speeches and the people who made them forgotten that we’ll see how the new and improved bayfront will serve the city and region.

Yes.

Yes, yes, yes.

Yes, the move to revitalize Chula Vista’s bayfront is the right one. It is an important opportunity that should not be squandered.

At the moment the blank canvas that is the oceanside getaway is largely empty and under utilized. There is a restaurant, a boat yard, an RV park and parkland for picnics and lounging. Missing are the residences and accompanying posh eateries and stores that one day may contribute to a bustling environment.
But also missing, for now, are the congested streets and metered parking and the high cost of enjoying a night out on the town by the harbor.

With few exceptions it won’t be cheap to live or start a new business in that neck of the woods.
Recall that over the years developers and politicians lamented (drooled?) that Chula Vista’s bayfront was one of the last undeveloped seaside landscapes. You don’t come across empty oceanfront property much these days and that sort of real estate doesn’t come cheap.

Once the condos and eateries come in owners will have to find a way to cover the cost of setting up shop. And the city will have to cover the costs of infrastructure and maintenance. Area and non-area residents and visitors will be required to pay for some of that upkeep.

Taxes and fees are the cost of growth and prosperity, though prosperity for whom will be defined and determined at a later date.

For now, locals and visitors have the privilege of taking Chula Vista’s bayfront for granted. They can visit virtually any time they want and not worry too much about the same sort of hassle they would find visiting San Diego’s Embarcadero or Harbor Drive.
Access to the ocean is relatively free and unfettered.

For now.

Once those shovels go in, the earth movers rattle, the hotel doors open, the convention center hums and the moving vans line the streets in front of luxury condos the scenery changes. For better or worse.

It won’t be until after the dust settles and the city, its residents and visitors get into the rhythm of living and working at the bayfront that we will know how much of a success the transformation is.

Here is to hoping that anyone who wants to visit and enjoy the area in the not too distant future can, any time they want.

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