When Ray Carpenter, the owner of R.E. Staite Engineering Inc. and Harbor Tug and Barge Co., considers the impact of Proposition B on maritime commerce and the Working Waterfront of Downtown San Diego and beyond, there is nothing to see except an economic disaster.

R.E. Staite Engineering is a general contractor specializing in marine and heavy construction. Harbor Tug and Barge is an affiliate that provides barges and towing service. These two companies have been directly involved in the evolution and construction of the San Diego waterfront since 1938, providing Carpenter with a keen perspective on all marine and military operations on San Diego Bay.

The San Diego Institute for Policy Research has documented the economic impact of the two marine terminals operated by the Unified Port District of San Diego at about $1.75 billion a year, exceeding the annual impact of the San Diego Convention Center. There are 19,298 jobs associated with the maritime terminals and they move 6.5 million tons of cargo per year with a value of $25 billion.

There is no question that the Proposition B initiative to “double deck” the 10th Avenue Terminal would have a detrimental effect on maritime trade. Even if the decking concept were technically feasible from an engineering perspective, that development would negatively impact port operations.

Significant operating space would be lost to the terminal to support an elevated structure. Handling cargo would be significantly more difficult and probably impossible for large items. The cost of handling cargo would increase.

All of these impacts would compromise the economic viability of the terminal and make it noncompetitive with other ports and modes of transportation. The net effect would be the loss of a significant number of high-paying industrial jobs and increased costs for San Diegans for all of the products and commodities that currently arrive through the 10th Avenue Marine Terminal.

The terminals are the only industrial waterfront sites in the entire San Diego region with railroad service, close freeway access, commercial port support systems and deep-water berthing. There are no other sites available. That prompts the question: Why would San Diego give up irreplaceable commercial terminal facilities that contribute directly to the San Diego economy so that more hotels and tourist attractions can be built? The community has spoken clearly regarding the need for a new football stadium somewhere, but that is a key part of the developer’s plan for the 10th Avenue site. Certainly there are far better locations for a football stadium than on the waterfront, where it would only wall off the waterfront.

All of San Diego recognizes and appreciates the U. S. Navy presence, not only for its role in national defense, but also as a major contributor to the economic vitality of San Diego. What is not well known is that the 10th Avenue Marine Terminal is a federally designated “Strategic Port Facility” that is used by the Department of Defense for military cargo and equipment shipping requiring heightened security that has been required since Sept. 11, 2001. Additionally, our ship building and ship repair industries that directly support the Navy rely on material that comes through the terminal.

The Prop. B initiative could compromise San Diego’s ability to support the Navy and national defense. We don’t believe that the citizens of San Diego would knowingly support any action that would lessen support for the military or cause the Navy to question the long-term viability of San Diego as a major homeport and training facility.

The Port of San Diego’s two marine terminals play an integral part in the local and global economy. International cargo operators rely on speed and efficiency to keep costs under control and customers satisfied. If the operations at 10th Avenue are compromised, that business will go elsewhere and San Diego will see a loss of commerce and well-paying jobs.

A retired U.S. Navy captain, Tim Kelley is vice president of R.E. Staite Engineering Co.