Local contractors say they’re not being given an equal opportunity to be involved in Chula Vista’s billion dollar bay front development.
“We have the resources, we have the man force, we have everything they're asking for. So why not give your community the opportunity to work on these types of projects,” Alexa Vasquez with A and G Cleaning said.
A and G Cleaning is one of 50 local contract companies asking to be included in the Chula Vista bay front project.
RELATED: SANDAG Regional Plan Update Includes Pledge To Black Contractors
The redevelopment will completely transform the bay front into a hotel and convention center that includes commercial space and public amenities.
The billion dollar project approved by the Port of San Diego and the city of Chula Vista is expected to bring 30,000 jobs and 10,000 of those are construction jobs according to the Port of San Diego’s project summary.
The Port of San Diego said only a general contractor has been selected so far for the project and all other contracts have not been awarded.
Ruben Guerra is the chairman of the Latin Business Association.
He said local Latino businesses aren’t being given equal opportunity for employment.
“The developer is from Texas. So that’s one negative, but even if you're from outside you still have to include the community where you're building,” Guerra said.
Guerra said it’s not just Latinos they’re representing, but all minority contractors.
He said he’s tried to sit with the mayor of Chula Vista to discuss an equal opportunity plan but there's been no follow through.
“I hope they can come to their senses and say hey let's sit down and talk about an agreement we can come to to include all the contractors, all the minority contractors, the women, the veterans,” he said.
Alexa Vasquez has been working with A & G Cleaning for four years.
She said they’ve reached out multiple times to project developers for contract opportunities, but have not received a response.
“Having these types of projects developed during COVID and not being asked to work here, it’s really insulting to companies. It’s disappointing,” she said.
“We don't want a hand out, we call it a hand up. Just open the door and let us do the job. We can do it,” Guerra said.
