salt works draft vision plan and site assessment
At the crossroads of environmental conservation, historic preservation, and public recreation in south San Diego County lies the Western Salt Works, a unique site filled with history and opportunity. Site Context Map.

The site is currently owned by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority and used by the leaseholder Western Salt Works for commercial evaporative salt production. The Salt Works Site Assessment Study explores the long-term potential for public use of the Salt Works site, including:


Salt Works Main Processing Plant
  • An interpretive center for the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge
  • An access point and staging area for the Bayshore Bikeway
  • A trailhead and staging area for the Otay Valley Regional Park
  • A destination and southern terminus for an excursion train along the historic railway from the Santa Fe Depot in National City
  • Creation of habitat
  • Expanded public use and passive recreation

The planning effort was initiated by San Diego County Supervisor Greg Cox. Initial study has led to the Salt Works Site Assessment and Draft Vision Plan, which is funded by a Coastal Conservancy Grant administered by San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Service Bureau. The Schmidt Design Group, Inc., a San Diego-based landscape architecture firm, is preparing the Site Assessment Study, with support from Heritage Architecture & Planning, RBF Consulting, and Leverton and Associates. The study seeks to provide an integrated vision, combining four interrelated plans with input from the public and stakeholders into a vision plan that optimizes visitors’ ability to access the unique history, environment and recreational opportunities of the South Bay.

We are seeking public feedback on this exciting project. After you read about and view the alternatives described below, please click on the survey link to let us know about your preferences for the potential future use of this area.
The Salt Works Site Assessment and Draft Vision Plan began in August of 2007. More than 20 interviews with stakeholders were held between October 2007 and March 2008, and a public meeting for preliminary program input was held on December 5, 2007.


Salt Piles at Salt Works Site
With input from the various groups and analysis of existing planning documents as a basis, four alternatives for the Salt Works site are being explored. Because the future of salt production and land ownership of the Salt Works site is uncertain at this time, alternatives have been developed to allow flexibility for the future use of the site. Alternatives range from complete public use of the site in Alternatives A and B, to providing public access over a portion of the site with continued salt production to support habitat in Alternative C, to minimal public use with continued salt production to support habitat, or other land use, in Alternative D. All Alternatives provide a greenway along Bay Boulevard that could accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians, and a trail linkage to the future loop trail that U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) proposes just northwest of the site. Alternatives A, B, and C include an interpretive center, areas of habitat creation, interpretive trails, a boardwalk, and a parking lot/staging area sized appropriately for the proposed uses. A brief summary of each alternative follows, with additional detail provided in the draft report.


Salt Works Site
Alternative A: Adaptive Re-use
Alternative A assumes that there is no large scale salt production at the Salt Works site, and the entire site is acquired for public use. Unique to this Alternative is the re-use of the Salt Works building for an interpretive center, public restroom, public agency offices, and more. A public park with some turf grass, a playground with an interpretive theme, and plaza area is located adjacent to the building. The majority of the site would be used to create various habitats, including salt marsh, intertidal mudflat, cordgrass, open water, as well as dune/upland habitat. This would complement the habitat areas proposed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for the adjacent salt ponds in their Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP). An interpretive trail and boardwalk would provide public access into these habitats for close observation and environmental education. Salt pond 42, at the southern edge of the site, would be a high saline pond that could provide a demonstration of salt production techniques, either with salt being harvested or with the high saline water mixed and returned to the Bay. A fenced staging area and access for USFWS for restoration of the ponds and perhaps small scale salt harvesting would be provided south of the building.

Alternative B: Public Use
Alternative B also assumes no large scale salt production at the site with the entire site acquired for public use. Unique to Alternative B is the partial demolition of the Salt Works buildings, with the tower, conveyor belt, and equipment retained as monuments of the era of salt production. A pedestrian entry could be provided under the conveyor belt, and the tower and equipment would be fenced to prevent direct public access. Also unique to Alternative B is the increased public park area, which would include a larger open lawn area for passive use, as well as a play area that would include unique elements such as mounds that would simulate the historic salt mounds. Salt Pond 42 is minimized but a demonstration of salt production is proposed to be included at one of the interpretive overlook areas. Access for restoration of the ponds would be provided along the southern edge of the site.

Alternative C: Combined Use
Alternative C assumes salt production would or USFWS brine/demonstration salt production would continue in the southern portion of the site, with the portion north of Ada Street being acquired for public use. A smaller visitor center and parking lot would be provided, along with habitat creation, trails, and a boardwalk.

Alternative D: Providing Connectivity
Alternative D explores the potential for public use with commercial salt production or another industrial land use as zoned remaining on the majority of the site, in support of the adjacent habitat areas. A trail along the northern boundary of the site, adjacent to the existing creek/drainage channel and fenced from the remainder of the site, would provide access for the future USFWS loop trail, and the right of way along Bay Boulevard would be improved to provide a bicycle and pedestrian connection, especially for linking to the Bayshore Bikeway at Stella Street. Interpretive overlooks are proposed at the beginning of the trail and at its link to the USFWS trail.