Oceanside Sea Center to move into Helgren’s Sportfishing building

OCEANSIDE — Helgren’s Sportfishing will move out of its two-story building –where it had been based out of since 1979 – and relocate to a nearby kiosk, Oceanside’s City Council decided, Nov. 15. The City Council decision opened the door for Oceanside Sea Center, a joint venture pursued by Sea Star Capt. Joe Cacciola, Pfleger Institute of Environmental Research (PIER) and Chubasco Sportfishing, to finally be realized. Oceanside issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) in 2016, seeking vendors to re-purpose Helgren’s Landing. Cacciola, who replied to the RFP, was eventually informed he and his team could negotiate with the city to bring a new visitor-serving destination to the harbor. The sea center, Cacciola told The Log in late 2016, would combine sportfishing with fishery science and marine education. Matters, however, would become contentious in the following months as Helgren’s and the group behind Oceanside Sea Center were at the center of a dispute. Complicating matters was the impending expiration of Helgren’s Sportfishing’s lease. The lease was set to expire May 5, but it became unclear whether Cacciola and his team would be able to pursue their plans as the city, apparently, also began talks with Helgren’s. The situation remained unresolved through April, just a few weeks...