How to Develop a 'World Class Waterfront': a Letter to the San Diego Unified Port District

The San Diego Unified Port District Commission has selected one of six proposals for a redevelopment of 77 acres of waterfront, including the popular Seaport Village. This redevelopment proposal would include, among other things, a 500-foot spire featuring a gondola ride, a beach, "an aquarium park," a pier, a floating pool, park space, a plaza for markets and events, an amphitheater, a dock for paddle boarding, a market area "similar to Pike Place," and, of course, retail space.

The San Diego Environment + Design Council, a coalition of organizations promoting environmentally-sustainable land use policies, has some concerns and advise:

Connect – The new waterfront area "should have obvious and functional physical and programmatic links to the downtown. . . continuation of the grid network to the water could enhance both the physical and visual connection to the Bay from the core, which is largely missing."

Not just for tourists – "include an array of tenants serving practical needs for downtown residents and displaying works of local artists."

Focus on the Bay – "The primary 'draw' should be San Diego Bay, and not shops and restaurants proximate to it."

Don’t overpower – "Proposed structures should not overwhelm the site with excessive bulk, excessive mass, excessive height, or crowding the waterfront by being too close to the edge."

Architecture – should be distinctive but should not distract from the beauty or history of the area  – It should not be "a depiction of false history, nor something so trendy as to risk aging poorly."

Hotel set back – "hotels should not be in a waterfront park, but adjacent to it."

Retail and Restaurants – "...should assume a secondary position to the primary focus and purpose of the project site – free public access to, and the enjoyment of, San Diego Bay."

Multi-purpose public spaces – "public plazas [should] emphasize unprogrammed free play, quiet enjoyment, and San Diego Bay views, aromas, and sounds.”

Public art – "The public realm should have permanent fixed art of international prominence, and opportunities for outdoor performing arts."

Dynamic experiences – encourage "ever changing array of colorful outdoor building-free street vendors with carts, crafts, foods, and performances."

Timeless design – Require development with "high quality durability, flexibility, functionality, and material finish...Fine grain details..." with a "distinctive San Diego flavor."

Water Oriented Facilities – Include a public beach, "piers, overlooks, and wharves, free and open to the public.”

Commercial fishing operations – retain the tuna boat fleet—it provides an "authentic element . . . and link to San Diego’s maritime history."

Parking and mobility improvements:

PARK AND RIDE/WALK – "uses that require vehicle access for drop-offs, or service deliveries, [should be] positioned away from the waterside...."

And most importantly, part of the comprehensive planning process –

[A]n open and comprehensive planning and development process is essential. . . We recommend that no action on this particular parcel proceed until the Port District completes and adopts a Comprehensive Master Plan Update. The proposed project is an unacceptable, “piecemeal” development, instead of a component of an adopted update to the Comprehensive Master Plan.

PDF of Selected Proposal