Port of San Diego Tenants in Coronado Are Going Green
Two Port of San Diego tenants in Coronado are making a difference when it comes to conserving water and energy - and saving money at the same time.
The efforts by Coronado Ferry Landing and the Coronado Island Marriott and Resort are part of the port’s Green Business Challenge, a joint program between the port and San Diego Gas & Electric. The program encourages port tenant businesses to increase energy efficiency while reducing their environmental impact.
“We joined (the Challenge) to try and make a difference,” said Denise Schwab, the property manager for Coronado Ferry Landing. “Our goal is to identify if there are any deficiencies, and where we can, save money and energy.”
Bud Stevens, the director of engineering for both the San Diego Mission Valley Marriott and Coronado Island Marriott, said the hotel is committed to its energy-conservation efforts.
“The hotel has invested $120,000 in conservation measures,” he said.
Take an evening stroll around the Marriott’s neatly manicured grounds and notice the array of palm trees and landscaping with most of the 140 trees lit by LEDs (light-emitting diode), an extremely energy-efficient light. Many of the plants are succulents and drought-tolerant.
The water in the hotel pools is kept at a steady temperature, thanks to energy-efficient technology, reducing the amount of energy needed for heating.
Ride one of the hotel elevators to the third floor and you will be illuminated by more LEDs, which also light the lobby area.
The hotel replaced its 23-year-old, 450-pound laundry machines with 250-pound machines, resulting in substantial water savings.
The waterfront hotel has 300 rooms, including 27 suites. The 18-acre grounds include two restaurants - the Current and Tides - a spa, three heated pools and tennis courts.
“The Marriott stresses sustainability and that is a good selling point for a lot of clientele,” Stevens said. “When they book a meeting they want to make sure we are green and that we are saving and protecting the environment.”
The Marriott family takes pride in its conservation measures and its corporate responsibility to reduce consumption of water, waste and energy, Stevens said.
And the Coronado Marriott, as with other Marriott properties, strives to do even better.
“Our challenge is can we do more,” Stevens said.
Coronado Ferry Landing
Just a few blocks away from the Marriott is the Coronado Ferry Landing and its 25 businesses, including two art galleries, men’s and women’s clothing stores, specialty gift shops, a bicycle rental shop and restaurants, ranging from fast food to elegant bay front dining.
The ferry landing at First Street and B Avenue (map) draws residents and tourists alike. Boaters can dock up to four hours for free and enjoy the sights. Many of the visitors travel by ferry ($8.50 for a roundtrip fare) from two locations within the San Diego embarcadero area across San Diego Bay.
The landing also features a farmers’ market on Tuesdays, as well as live music on the weekends. In addition, two of the fine dining restaurants - Candelas on the Bay and Pehoe’s - feature live music. Check the Coronado Ferry Landing website for details.
Even before joining the port’s Green Business Challenge, Coronado Ferry Landing had implemented green features.
The ferry landing recycles in a big way. There are more than 60 containers strategically placed throughout the 20-plus acre center for collecting recyclable material, including paper, glass and plastics.
In the landing’s common restrooms, recycled paper towels are used, as well as biodegradable trash liners. Energy-efficient fixtures also were installed in the restrooms.
The center’s landscaping features drought-tolerant plants including phormium, morea and agapanthus. A water-saving drip line irrigation system is in place in two of the center’s three parking areas.
“There has been substantial savings since we implemented the program in 2009,” Schwab said.
Schwab said that one of the center’s goals, as part of the Challenge, is to install LED lighting throughout the property.
“We identified this as a cost-savings effort, Schwab said. “Another one of our goals is passing the savings to our tenants.”
Fifty-four businesses are taking the Green Business Challenge, which will run through the end of the year. The challenge aims to help port tenant businesses save water, use less energy and generate less waste.
The challenge is just one component of the port’s environmental initiatives. As an environmental steward of San Diego Bay, the port has established several programs to minimize its environmental footprint, as well as to protect San Diego Bay and the surrounding land.
More than 60 projects, representing a $7.3 million investment, are either underway or complete as part of the port’s Environmental Fund. The fund was established to provide funding for the restoration or enhancement of the bay and surrounding tidelands, along with protection and enhancement of wildlife habitat.
