Millions for S.D County in State Budget

SACRAMENTO â€”  Millions of dollars for such San Diego County projects as construction of Cal State San Marcos, Mission Bay restoration, migrant farm-worker housing and expansion of Old Town State Park are included in the proposed $49.4-billion state budget passed by lawmakers this week.

State senators overwhelmingly approved the massive framework Thursday for how much the state will spend next year, one day after it was endorsed by the Assembly.

Sent to Governor

It now goes to Gov. George Deukmejian, who has the next few days to exercise his veto power over projects before giving the spending plan final approval.

Last year, for instance, Deukmejian used his red pen to delete $500,000 earmarked for the construction of migrant farm-worker housing in North County, a measure sponsored by Assemblyman Robert C. Frazee (R-Carlsbad).

Frazee, after rallying North County governments and social service groups, reintroduced the measure this year, and it was put back into the new budget, which takes effect July 1. A spokesman for Deukmejian said the governor hasn’t taken a position on the bill.

Park projects approved by lawmakers touched several spots throughout the county, including Mission Bay--the city’s aging recreational spot that has been tarnished by sewage spills.

The Legislature set aside $375,000 for Mission Bay restoration projects, far below the $1 million originally requested by Assemblywoman Lucy Killea (D-San Diego). The city now must match the state funds with local money.

Legislative largess also included $2.7 million for the purchase of the Bohannon Pottery Village as part of the Old Town State Park. Assemblywoman Carol Bentley (R-El Cajon) said acquisition of the property is a way to create a formal entrance to the popular tourist spot.

Gateway to Park Is Idea

The pottery store’s lease expires in January, and Old Town concessionaires were concerned by reports that the property’s owner planned to build a motel on the site, according to aides to Killea, whose district includes the park. The owner, however, has indicated his willingness to sell the property to the state, which envisions using the Taylor Street site to create additional parking besides building an entrance to the park.

“The idea is to provide the kind of gateway to the park that it now lacks,� Killea said. “Right now, it’s rather difficult to give people directions how to get to Old Town because there’s nothing to show that you’re actually there.�

Legislators also complied with a request by state Sen. William A. Craven (R-Oceanside) to spend nearly $1.2 million to buy 2.15 acres within sight of the Torrey Pines State Beach and State Reserve.

The land, at Camino del Mar and Carmel Valley Road, is owned by former San Diego Charger Lance Alworth, who once discussed building a restaurant and office building on the scenic property.

Environmentalists questioned the proposed development, and Alworth agreed to sell the land to the state if legislators could come up with the money requested by Craven.

Other San Diego County spending projects would bolster universities and community colleges.

The biggest by far was the $47.5 million set aside to start building the campus of Cal State San Marcos. Another $521,000 was allocated for paying the school administration.

$4.7 Million for Chemistry

Legislators also approved a new $4.7 million chemistry and geology building at San Diego State University.

For UC San Diego, the state has earmarked $500,000 to go the school’s Center for Global Conflict and Cooperation, $428,000 for the university to research alternatives to animal research, and another $300,000 for aquaculture and fisheries research.

Mesa College could receive nearly $1 million to build an animal health facility; Miramar College is scheduled to receive $48,000 to build a child-care development center.

Other items in the proposed budget include $110,000 to help establish a joint doctoral program in applied engineering between SDSU and UCSD, and $75,000 for the Regional Water Quality Control Board to help coordinate a multi-agency effort to clean up San Diego Bay.