Has the Port Chosen an RFP Winner?

Maus: “This location has tremendous potential to become the signature waterfront destination for San Diego, an urban region of more than 2.7 million people.”

SAN DIEGO—Despite earlier reports indicating a decision had been reached in the San Diego Bayfront redevelopment RFP process, GlobeSt.com has learned that exclusive discussions with Gafcon will move forward, while the other five proposals under consideration were not yet eliminated. tells GlobeSt.com. We spoke exclusively with Penny Maus , department manager, business development, for the Port of San Diego real estate department, about what’s going on with the selection process and what the next steps are. GlobeSt.com: How is the RFP process for the waterfront redevelopment progressing? Maus: We are very happy both with the robust response from the development community and the high level of public involvement in this process. The area under consideration comprises approximately 40 acres of land and 30 acres of water. It is bordered by the USS Midway Museum and Harbor Dr. to the north, Manchester Grand Hyatt and Kettner Blvd. to the east and San Diego Bay to the south and west. The site also would include Embarcadero Marina Park North, Ruocco Park and Tuna Harbor . Two properties within this boundary are excluded from this process because they hold long-term leases: the Headquarters and the Fish Market Restaurant . We went through a public process to seek the best, most innovative proposals for this area. The new real estate development department recently formed a business-development team to actively promote opportunities. We initiated an international multimedia marketing campaign spanning 90 countries and reaching 2 million people, along with targeted developer outreach. We tracked more than 261 downloads of the request for proposals —record setting for the Port. And as a result, the national development community came to the table with a wide array of proposals to activate the waterfront. We had proposals from developers from coast to coast—Seattle to Florida—as well as local teams. The Port received 11 proposals, of which six met criteria for consideration. At the same time, we are committed to making this a development that San Diegans will love, and we welcome input. Because of the high level of public interest in this site, we have actively sought public input and dialogue on the proposals. On June 13-14, the Port hosted an open house, attended by more than 1,200 people. GlobeSt.com: What are the next steps in the timeline? Maus: Staff presented this item to the board for consideration Wednesday, July 13, at a public meeting. After discussion and consideration of public comments, the board directed staff to exclusively continue discussions with Gafcon to further evaluate their proposal, while not eliminating the other five proposals. Staff expects to return to the board on October 13, with an update. GlobeSt.com: Do you see a winner emerging, and if so, what is the leading proposal? Maus: Board has full discretion to make decisions going forward, and we can’t predict what those will be. GlobeSt.com: What else should our readers know about the waterfront RFP process? Maus: This is a really special site. Ideally located at the center of the Embarcadero area, the site is unlike any other on the Bayfront. Its location between Downtown San Diego and San Diego Bay presents a special opportunity for a defining, “centerpiece” development. This location has tremendous potential to become the signature waterfront destination for San Diego, an urban region of more than 2.7 million people. It is also the first destination for many cruise ship passengers and conventioneers from the San Diego Convention Center, which attracted more than 800,000 attendees in 2015. And it is a natural venue for attracting people from all over to an even more dynamic waterfront.