The Board of Port Commissioners for the Port of San Diego provided positive feedback last week on a proposal to redevelop Driscoll’s Wharf on Shelter Island. This neighborhood of Point Loma in San Diego is not an actual island but originally a sandbank that was developed in the 1950s.
Staff outlined plans to revamp some of the aging docks and buildings on Shelter Island. According to Fox 5 San Diego, Driscoll’s Wharf is one of two commercial harbors for fishermen in San Diego. The other is near Seaport Village. The redevelopment plans include demolishing and replacing the existing docks. The Pier 5 dock will be replaced first, and the Port of San Diego already has the $3.1 million in funds set aside for the project. According to Fox, the money comes from last year’s fiscal surplus and would cover the demolition and replacement of the Pier 5 dock.
Commercial fishing has a long history at the Port of San Diego. The first cannery opened in 1909. San Diego was also known as “The Tuna Capital of the World,” with two of the county's most significant tuna canneries based along its bay. Chula Seafood and Tunaville, two businesses deeply rooted in the area, will remain on Driscoll’s Wharf, ensuring the preservation of local businesses.
Christian de Manielle, real estate department manager of Port of San Diego, told Fox, “It’s a positive story. The board has allocated money to ensure this initial phase of development, and we’re excited to work with commercial fishermen.”
An environmental evaluation and report must be conducted before the project can begin, and it is estimated to take 12 to 18 months to complete. Fox shared that construction could start in mid-2026.
