San Diego Unveils Two Development Proposals For Site Located Near Petco Park

Two competing proposals to develop the Tailgate Parking Lot located in close proximity to the Petco Park in Downtown San Diego were released by the City this week.

Both proposals present an ambitious vision of transforming the lot into a vibrant urban district with commercial, retail and residential uses that activate the East Village corridor Downtown, provide urban mobility, and an array of cultural amenities.

One proposal, which includes a joint-venture between the San Diego Padres, Tishman Speyer and Ascendant Capital would develop 612 market-rate and affordable housing units, 1,350,000 square feet of office space, 236,000 square feet of open space, 1,600 space parking garage for Padres games and ballpark events. Designed by Carrier Johnson + Culture, the project would contain a 24,000 square foot plaza with a tree canopy in the northeastern corner, and a 41,000 square foot plaza for outdoor gathering in the center of the district. This proposal would also contain 50,000 square feet of retail and local artisan commercial spaces and a 43,000 square foot multi-use recreation field on the top of the 1,600-space parking garage.

The stated goals of this project include regional job creation, meeting regional housing needs, providing transit connectivity to benefit all San Diegans, attract technology and biotechnology employers to San Diego, and the creation of an iconic public space in San Diego.

The second proposal, from Brookfield Properties, would develop over 1,200 dwelling units for a variety of income levels, 12,000 square feet of affordable shop and office space for local businesses, 1.1 acres of community gathering, learning, performance and art spaces. It would also contain amenities such as a 21,000 square foot marketplace with artisanal foods, goods and supplies, called the ‘Bazaar’. It would contain a 115,000 square foot culinary incubator for local restaurant start-ups and makers, and 1.2 million square feet of mixed-use office and retail space.

Brookfield Properties would design the district around four themes: Commerce, Community, Connectivity, and Convenience. The proposal claims the project will bring high paying jobs in tech and innovation, provide amenities that attract talent to San Diego, provide regional housing needs, improve transit connectivity, and create an iconic cultural destination in San Diego.

Residents and stakeholders have the opportunity to provide public comment via the City website www.eastvillagequarterinput.org/. It’s anticipated that an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement will be presented before the San Diego City Council sometime in October or November of this year.

San Diego officials are also reviewing two competing development proposals for the 48-acre Pechanga Arena property, located just south of Mission Bay and SeaWorld in San Diego.