The San Diego Convention Center Expansion project is on track for a late 2014 groundbreaking, thanks to an important vote by the California Coastal Commission on October 10, 2013.
After nearly five hours of presentations, public testimony and discussion, the California Coastal Commission voted unanimously to approve the Port of San Diego’s application for a Port Master Plan Amendment that will allow for the expansion of the San Diego Convention Center, along with the nearby Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel. The decision allows the Port to issue a Coastal Development Permit to the City of San Diego for construction of the $520 million Convention Center project.
Watch this video to see the concept renderings of the Phase 3 expansion:
The approval is the result of a five-year collaboration among the San Diego Convention Center Corporation, the City of San Diego, the Port of San Diego, hotel developers, business groups and the community.
“This project is a win-win-win for San Diegans, who will benefit from a stronger economy, an expansive 5-acre rooftop public park, and a more welcoming waterfront around the Convention Center,” said Vice Chair Bob Nelson of the Board of Port Commissioners. “I want to thank everyone in our coalition of supporters who made it clear that San Diego deserves to remain a top meeting and convention destination with this world-class regional project.”
Hundreds of people signed up to speak in support of the project at the meeting. The Port presented 2,000 letters and endorsement cards from elected officials, municipalities, community and business groups, and area residents.
Upon completion, the environmentally-friendly project will include an additional 225,000 square feet of exhibit space – creating the largest contiguous exhibit hall on the West Coast. Other project components include the rooftop park with views of the San Diego Bay and City skyline, and a new, 500-room hotel tower. The project also reroutes trucks for a better pedestrian experience, and provides an improved waterfront pedestrian promenade, landscaping and other public improvements.
While the Coastal Commission’s vote cleared a major hurdle, the project’s financing, which was ruled legal, is under appeal. The financing is expected to be resolved in the upcoming months.
- Watch October 10, 2013 California Coastal Commission meeting (MMS WMV, may require special media plugins)
About the Port:
The Port of San Diego is the fourth largest of the 11 ports in California. It was created by the state legislature in 1962. Since then, it has invested millions of dollars in public improvements in its five member cities – Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego.
The port oversees two maritime cargo terminals, two cruise ship terminals, 20 public parks, the Harbor Police Department and the leases of more than 600 tenant and sub tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.
The Port of San Diego is an economic engine, an environmental steward of San Diego Bay and the surrounding tidelands, and a provider of community services and public safety.
