A San Diego-based architect Tucker Sadler Architects is proposing to build a sports and entertainment district on the old Southbay Power Plant Site on Chula Vista’s Bayfront.
Tucker Sadler Architects made the proposal during an Aug. 23 City Council Meeting, nearly one month after the city broke ground on the Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center. The 65-year-old firm has worked on San Diego’s bayfront and developed Sun Outdoors RV Park on the Chula Vista bayfront, along with the new Southwestern College new Performing Arts Center.
The firm has not submitted an application for its proposal, and the Port of San Diego has not vetted the concept, according to port commissioner Ann Moore.
According to architect Greg Miller, the firm plans to use private funding for this project through private investors. He said that the company strives for environmental and social justice by creating opportunities at low cost or no cost that visitors bring people down to the bayfront.
“This wonderful bayfront is a true gem for the bay for Chula Vista,” Miller said.
The venue will feature a festival plaza, an aquatic center, youth sports fields, office spaces, a performing arts building, a hotel, restaurants, and retail spaces. An initial project rendering shows a greenbelt that wraps around the development, which varies in width from 300 feet to 50 feet and meanders back and forth along the waterway.
“The idea is to provide pathways, trails, activities to get people near the water,” Miller said.
Other features in the plan include an aquatic and training facility, a gym, and a pool near the water. The firm is looking into the opportunity for a dock and dining space, which will also provide opportunities for youth to take part in activities on the water.
According to Miller, the conceptualized project features a festival and retail section, a performing arts building that will house E-sports, and a hotel, sports, and entertainment complex.
“It will be a great thing to draw people to the bayfront,” Miller said.
Mayor Mary Casillas Salas lauded Tucker Sadler Architects for its involvement in San Diego County over the years and said she previously met with Miller prior to the presentation.
“Some of the things I offered up during that discussion was to make sure there was a lot of public and open space. The aquatic center, which we know our community has been crying for more pool space is going to be more welcome, as well as the youth sports field. We don't have enough in Chula Vista so that's going to create more opportunities for the community,” Salas said.
Although the project is in its initial phase of planning, the city believes it will be a good addition to the area.
“The big part in all of this is open space which is very important to us for the entire of Chula Vista, but specifically for the west end of Chula Vista,” Councilwoman Andrea Cardenas said. ”It's going to impact all of Chula Vista and our region, so I'm excited to see this through”.
During the meeting, the Port of San Diego provided an update on recent construction updates on the Gaylord Pacific Resort and Hotel. Since breaking the decades-long joint planning effort, the Port announced road closures. Houston-based RIDA Development completed the demolition of the old RV buildings and grading for the convention center pads. They began construction on the hotel’s foundational elements.
“Our team reports that RIDA is actually on track for 2025 grand opening,” Moore said.
