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San Diego will have a private developer build and manage a public park on the waterfront property across from San Diego Bay instead of doing it themselves.
On Monday, city council members unanimously approved a parking agreement with real estate investment fund IQHQ for a 1.5-acre lot, designated Block 1A, in the former Navy Broadway Complex downtown. The action means that the city will forfeit a long-term right to rent the block from the developer and hold the developer responsible for creating a largely passive public park, which it will manage and control until May 31, 2117.
“This 96-year agreement …, if signed, would oblige IQHQ to adhere to the terms and standards for the design, construction, use and maintenance of Block 1A,” said Karen Dennison, deputy director of the city’s parks and recreation division, in her presentation to the councilors. “The residents of San Diego are getting world-class freedom at no cost to taxpayers.”
The deal has been praised by several council members who believe the deal will secure a model park for the public without emptying the city’s already tense coffers.
“A beautiful park costs millions of dollars to build and maintain. I wish we could, but … we are busy working our way out of a structural budget deficit, “said Downtown Councilor Stephen Whitburn.
“With this agreement, we are giving up our right to build this park, and IQHQ is building this park. They benefit because they are adding a beautiful park to their life sciences campus. It will be a great convenience for businesses considering renting space there. They will want to attract and retain tenants, IQHQ, so that they have a strong incentive to make a nice park and take good care of it. “
San Diego residents, he said, will benefit from a new park open seven days a week outside of temporary event closings.
Block 1A is located on the northwest corner of the former Navy Broadway Complex, an area of 12 acres between Pacific Highway and Harbor Drive. IQHQ bought the centuries-old leasehold on the block and several others from the Manchester Financial Group to build a life science town on the bay called the San Diego Research and Development District. The $ 1.6 billion laboratory and office complex will consist of a 1.4 million square meter development spread over five buildings of varying heights and include a retail area on the ground floor with a public paseo extending the entire length of the property.
The entire complex, which is owned by the Navy and is now largely leased to the developer, is subject to a building contract from 1992 between the city and the Federal Office. The legal agreement stipulates that Block 1A must be developed as an open space park. It also states that the city is entitled to lease the area free of charge for 65 years. Earlier this year, IQHQ made the city a royalty-free rental offer that, if accepted, would have required San Diego to cover all development and maintenance costs.
Instead, San Diego will give up its lease rights and sign an easement, use and maintenance agreement with IQHQ for a term of 96 years. The contract legally obliges the developer to build an amusement park that is open to the public every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., except for private events.
The contract sets some restrictions on the frequency and duration of small, medium and large events. For example, only half of the open space may be closed to the public at any given time for small (up to 6,000 square feet) or medium-sized events (up to 20,000 square feet). And major events that can take up the entire area for up to five days at a time are limited to a total of 30 days per year. The company that takes over all parking programming and approval functions must also maintain the space “first class” and pay for constant security.
The developer’s current vision for Block 1A envisages several lawns with various lounge and seating options. There are no buildings, including toilets, and permanent fences are prohibited. The spaces are designed for a variety of outdoor activities, including large concerts and festivals. The park will be built on an underground car park with 2,000 publicly accessible parking spaces.
“We are excited about the opportunity to create an amazing open space that will benefit the community of staff, residents and visitors who are drawn to its wonderful waterfront location,” said Tracy Murphy, president of the IQHQ, in a statement. “IQHQ’s goal is to create vibrant neighborhoods where lifestyle and life science converge in environments full of amenities, restaurants, retail and great open spaces for everyone.”
Public speakers at the Council meeting raised concerns about private events that could affect public access and the lack of toilets.
“We know only too well how public access works most of the time. The city has had a dire track record of overseeing the public spaces it now has, ”said Pamela Heatherington, board member of the San Diego Environmental Center. “Private events will trump public access. The public, who often only have time to enjoy the public space on weekends, will likely be left out. Just like with the Rady Shell, which stands on public property, you get in when you have the entrance fee. “
Gary Smith, president of the San Diego Downtown Residents Group, said he supported the parking agreement, albeit with a similar caveat. He compared the IQHQ contract to a parking deal the city has with the San Diego Padres.
“Between setting up and dismantling for private events and the private events themselves, (Padres’ Gallagher Square) has more time for private events than for public access. And we fear that this could also happen in this place, ”he said. “You can’t give up control and still be in control.”
IQHQ is obliged to obtain the opinion of the public on the design of the park within 90 days of the agreement coming into force. The company aims to complete construction of the park in the fall of 2023. It is contractually obliged to complete the public open space within four years of its parking plans being approved or within one year of completion of a building on an adjacent block, whichever occurs first.
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