San Diego wants to take over the parcels in Mission Valley where Fashion Valley Mall and Hazard Center are located.
The city says this needs to be taken over to complete a monumental water pipeline in the city.
Councilmember Raul Campillo says that this takeover will be more beneficial for the public than any significant private harm. Campillo's district also includes the area where this infrastructure project is located in the Mission Valley zone.
“This is a key infrastructure project that is integral to our city’s efforts to strengthen the resiliency of our water utility,” said Councilmember Raul Campillo. “The project schedule would be severely impacted if we were not able to move forward in accessing these easements. So with that (in mind), this action today, I believe, will result in the least private harm and the most public good.”
On Tuesday, members of City Council voted unanimously in favor of green-lighting eminent domain lawsuit against the private property owners such as Simon Property Group and Hazarz Center LLC to make the Alvarado 2nd Pipeline Extension project happen. Both groups have previously declined San Diego's offer to purchase the land regarding this subject since 2021.
How the pipeline would work
The project proposed would include up to 10 miles of 24-inch and 48-inch water mains, which would be primarily placed on the right of way of Friars Road, located centered in the middle of the I-805 and Sea World Drive.
Who does this affect?
According to city staff, this new pipeline project would be the primary water source for locals living up in the La Jolla and Pacific Beach area and would give new life to the old pipeline in Kearny Mesa.
With the green light given for this takeover of the parcels, the San Diego City Attorney's Office will soon construct the eminent domain complaints that are expected to be filed within the next month.
