The future redevelopment of a major piece of land along the downtown waterfront took a big step forward after years of lawsuits and planning.
The Civic San Diego Board of Directors approved the Pacific Gateway project proposal set forth by the Manchester Financial Group at a meeting Wednesday night.
The development would replace the section of land where the Navy’s Broadway complex has sat for decades along the San Diego Bay waterfront downtown.
The roughly $1.2 billion project would include 12 acres of hotel, retail and residential space in addition to several parks and a 40,000 square foot museum.
During Wednesday’s meeting, board members met to discuss whether the project is consistent with urban design guidelines.
In the past, the project has faced legal opposition and delays. Several years ago in 2011, the state coastal commissioners denied the project.
The Navy facility currently on the land will not leaving the area, officials said. The plan instead would be to build the Navy a new facility elsewhere on the 8-block property, just not necessarily on the waterfront.
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During the public comment portion of the meeting, only two people spoke. One of them voiced his concern about putting such a huge development so close to a military facility.
"After Paris and San Bernardino, there are serious considerations this city needs to make if they're going to mix retail with the top command and control of the fleet...(it’s a) very serious issue,” said Scott Andrews, an opponent of the project.
A spokesman for Manchester said the Navy complex would be separated and secured from the rest of the public space.
If the project gets full approval, demolition and construction could begin as early as March.
