Opinion: We asked the public what it wants to see in our Seaport project. Here's how they responded:

8/7/2024 - Christina Griffin Jones & Yehudi Gaffen - The San Diego Union-Tribune

If we asked everyday San Diegans about their vision for the Downtown waterfront, what would they say?

That’s what we wanted to know — so, we set out to find the answer to inform the Seaport San Diego project.

In 2016, our development team, 1HWY1, was selected by the Port of San Diego to propose redevelopment of the urban Central Embarcadero, which includes Seaport Village and surrounding areas.

We knew from the start that coastal access would be a priority. Our Seaport San Diego concept is a bold vision of transformation that would include an observation tower; a Blue Campus with ocean-related uses such as blue tech, educational and outreach programs; hotels, stores and restaurants; an entertainment venue for concerts; commercial fishing facilities and more than 16 acres of parks and recreational and open space, along with new public access piers and a marina.

The proposed project is currently going through the Port’s environmental review process as we continue to develop plans for the public access component.
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Our extensive outreach initiatives, such as the Seaport Climate Science Program, Seaport San Diego for All and Seaport San Diego Parks for All, underscore our dedication to forming local partnerships, engaging historically and systematically excluded communities and ensuring that this part of our waterfront is a welcoming place for everyone. 

So, what have we learned?

Not surprisingly, we repeatedly heard “free, family friendly” activities mentioned. “Local jobs” was another top priority for San Diegans. We also heard calls for easier ways to get around the waterfront.

This is important feedback. With Seaport San Diego, we envision a waterfront that expands existing access and continues to be open to everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, income, disability or background.

Coastal access is an equity issue, according to the California Coastal Commission and the Port of San Diego, both of which will consider our proposal for approval. Both agencies set a high standard for an open and accessible public waterfront. Historically, non-White and lower-income residents have been excluded from the California coast through various barriers such as policing, redlining, limited transportation options and high prices.

For example, we heard people’s memories of visiting Seaport Village and having a good time on a tight budget. San Diegans want to visit the waterfront without having to spend a lot of money.

For our team, this underscores the importance of public space as we refine our designs for the urban beach, a living shoreline with tide pools, and improved bicycle and pedestrian access — all free to everyone.

Our understanding of the community’s aspirations are informed by outreach data.

Most recently, we held the Seaport San Diego Parks for All event, with our design team sharing concepts for the proposed parks and open spaces. In collaboration with San Diego Coastkeeper, Ocean Connectors and the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, the event attracted hundreds of participants. Initial takeaways indicated strong support for children’s play areas and the living shoreline.

Participants also shared concern about potential encampments in the new park spaces. We are committed to working with local partners to be a part of the regional solution and our outreach has included input from unhoused individuals to inform our planning.

The event builds on the Seaport San Diego for All outreach effort with Womxn’s Work Consulting. This 2023 initiative gathered input from lower-income and Black, Indigenous and people of color communities. Among other findings, we heard strong support for honoring and celebrating indigenous nations as past and current caretakers of this land.

We are listening and will address these issues in the planning process.

We heard loud and clear that economic opportunities should be inclusive, too. Endorsed by a broad coalition that includes local labor unions, Seaport San Diego projects to create 25,000 construction jobs and 4,500 permanent jobs and will include local businesses and artists.
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Seaport San Diego is more than just a redevelopment project; it is a vision for a vibrant, inclusive, and accessible waterfront that reflects San Diego’s diverse voices and experiences.

Gaffen is CEO of 1HWY1, the developer of Seaport San Diego and lives in Downtown San Diego. Griffin-Jones is co-founder and vice president of Womxn’s Work Consulting and lives in City Heights.