Bids open for redevelopment of NAVWAR site

Companies have until Feb. 7, 2023 to submit their Statement of Qualifications in hopes of being selected as the master developer for revitalizing the Naval Base Point Loma Old Town Campus, known as OTC.

The OTC redevelopment efforts come after the recognition that the current site is no longer adequate in size or capabilities to function at full potential. Plans to redevelop the site into a mixed use area have been materializing for years, with the process to do so moving forward on Nov. 15, 2022 when the Navy began the competitive process to select a potential master developer.

NAVWAR, the National Information Warfare Systems Command has been headquartered in OTC for the past 25 years after purchasing the WWII-era hangars.

On Dec. 7, 2022, members of the public, government, Navy, NAVWAR and potential developers gathered to learn about why the revitalization efforts are needed and what the Navy wants in a master developer. Over 100 companies registered for the event, representing all aspects of the construction and housing industry.

“What NAVWAR does is critical to national security and the Navy is looking to create an adaptive, state of the arts space that is efficient, attractive and sustainable,” Captain Laurie Scott said during the pre-proposal conference on Dec. 7 2022.

During the conference, speakers identified the purpose of selecting a potential master developer, noting the need to develop more site-specific details for OTC.

In addition to revamping the space and allowing room for more advanced technology, revitalization efforts could allow for ample housing and transportation. With a private company building housing and commercial areas on the base, the Navy would not need to find federal funding to update the base. Instead, the Navy would sell the 70-acre parcel of prime real estate in exchange for the company building a new headquarters for the cyberwarfare command. The redevelopment would expand current housing infrastructure and possibly add a public transit station to decrease vehicle commutes to the site.

If the Navy’s preferred alternative is adopted, the current industrial zone could be transformed into a neighborhood that is “walkable, transportation oriented and thriving,” San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said.

Alternative 4, the Navy’s choice, would add 10,000 housing units to the site at a time where the city is struggling with a housing shortage.

“I am most proud about, is the fact that this is a win-win for the community and the Navy. We think this is going to redevelop the Midway corridor, which is certainly a win for the city and a win for the local residence. There is a potential for transportation infrastructure,” Commander of Navy Region Southwest Rear Admiral Bradley Rosen said during the pre-proposal conference.

The Midway district is currently blighted. Other efforts are underway to improve the area, including the Midway Rising project approved by the city which would transform the Sports Arena into over 4,000 housing units. While Midway residents on the community planning board welcome the changes, up the hill in Mission Hills residents are pushing back – worried that new high-rises could impede ocean views and lower property values.

In addition to state-of-the-art designs and technologies, the conference shed light on the environmental attributes the project would adhere to. Working with regulatory partners and the National Environmental Policy Act, plans to reinvent the space will aim for sustainability.

“We hope to obtain some site-specific design criteria that we can take back to our regulatory partners that will help us inform the NEPA process.” Senior NEPA planner Rebecca Loomis said.

In a video appearance, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria also touched on the revitalization efforts and why he feels they come as a beacon of hope and positivity for the entire San Diego community.

“I believe this to be an exciting time for the city of San Diego. Our city and the Navy have always shared a bond. The revisitation of the Old Town Campus represents a once-in-the-generation opportunity,” Mayor Todd Gloria said.

Meredith Berger, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Energy, Installations & Environment, also spoke in a separate video and touched on the potential and larger impact of the project.

“This project has the potential to generate so many positive impact for the community. San Diego has the largest concentration of sailors and marines in the continental US, for this project we can choose something that is good for our mission and good for the community,” Berger said.

Moving forward, proposers can submit questions by Jan. 24, 2023. Once questions have been answered, interested developers must submit Statement of Qualifications by Feb. 7, 2023. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Navy will likely pick a winning bidder by the end of the year.

More information and the full pre-proposal video can be found at https://navwar-revitalization.com/development/.

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