Chula Vista’s bayfront development plans move forward

CHULA VISTA (KUSI) – It’s been a grand vision for the Chula Vista bayfront for nearly three decades. Now, with the help of a San Diego Assemblymenber, the plan is a step closer to becoming a reality.

California Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher sponsored a bill that transferred 97 acres of state land to the San Diego Unified Port District. The legislation, AB 2646 was signed by Governor Jerry Brown into law on August 24.

At a news conference on the bayfront parcel on Tuesday, Gonzalez Fletcher joined by Chula Vista Mayor Mary Casillas Salas and Board Chair Rafael Castellanos of the Port District praised the legislation that is key to advancing Chula Vista’s Bayfront Master Plan. The bayfront site where the news conference was held is the future home of an RV Resort, and a hotel and conference center. Castellanos said the 1,600 room hotel and 400,000 square foot conference space will be “a game changer” for the South Bay. “Imagine a lazy river, restaurants, retail and a place where South Bay residents can come and celebrate special occasions. It will be amazing,” Castellanos said.

The Port and the City of Chula Vista are also starting work on the design of two waterfront parks. To bring the project forward, a land swap was involved. The bayfront land, first owned by a private development company called Pacifica was swapped in a deal with the city of Chula Vista. Pacifica will begin construction next year on a 35 acre site, to build a hotel, condominium, office and retail project at the J Street Marina. The development is also part of the Bayfront Master Plan. The final part of the deal came together with the state legislation from Gonzalez Fletcher that allowed the transfer of the 97 bayfront acres to the Port’s public trust. Gonzalez said it was a clear swap with no taxpayer dollars involved. “The State benefited more than the developer as far as the cost and the value of the land,” Gonzalez Fletcher said.