An earthquake fault line under Seaport Village has led to a major rework of plans for what will likely become a San Diego landmark.

Plans for the nearly 40-year old shopping and recreation area include a 480-foot observation tower that, according to the San Diego Unified Port District, could make the city’s skyline more distinctive. Redevelopment will also include hotels, offices and an aquarium.

Original ideas for the site were unveiled in 2016 by Protea Waterfront Development but it will present new preliminary plans Tuesday to port officials, who must still decide on them. Aside from just the earthquake changes, the firm has further modified plans but says the alterations still fit with the port’s vision.

A hotel, retail area and underground parking garage directly on top of the fault line need to be relocated elsewhere on the 70-acre site. The fault line will largely be turned into a long pedestrian mall surrounded by trees, inspired by Barcelona’s Las Ramblas.


Also, sewage lines were discovered coming from Coronado that ran under the site, as well as other utilities, which have further altered original plans.

The biggest change was moving the aquarium next to the observation tower. The move puts the aquarium closer to the water, similar to the Monterey Bay Aquarium that uses its position on the water to observe marine life.

Yehudi “Gaf” Gaffen, CEO of Protea, said the fault and utilities may have moved some elements of the plan, but its overall redesign was strengthened by changes.

“A project of this size and complexity evolves over time. Not everything gets resolved in one shot,” he said Monday. “The commitment we’ve made is the project will stay close to what we proposed (in 2016) but there may be slight tweaks in it.”


More than just moving parts of the plan, Protea also made changes to the mix of uses.

Aside from just the earthquake changes, the firm has further modified plans it says still fit with the port’s vision. (Gafcon )

Based on market studies by CBRE, the amount of retail was reduced from 388,625-square-feet to 242,183-square-feet to make way for more office space. Unlike the spread out bungalows in Seaport Village today, new retail will mainly be on the street level of buildings.

Office space was increased from 19,130-square-feet to 144,987-square feet because of Protea’s confidence that ocean-related businesses, sometimes called “blue economy,” will seek office space.


Other changes:

Aquarium: Increased from 178,490 square feet to 192,050 square feet. The facility is advised by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and will include a butterfly exhibit.

Hotel: Decreased from 405,805 square feet to 367,964 square feet. Instead of 500 rooms, it will be reduced to 231 rooms and eight villas. Protea said it hopes to get a 5-star hotel for the site. There are still 350 rooms planned for a micro hotel and a 237-room hostel.

Learning Center: Increased from 65,150 square feet to 84,600 square feet. The marine-related facility administered by Scripps will be between the observation tower and aquarium.

Based on market studies by CBRE, the amount of retail was reduced from 388,625-square-feet to 242,183-square-feet to make way for more office space. (Gafcon )

Inspired by Piazza del Campo, a large historic public square in Siena, Italy, a plaza on the waterfront is sure to be a major public gathering spot. Protea said the plaza doubles as a kind of symbolic origin point of the state because it lies at the starting point of Pacific Highway.

Construction on the new Seaport Village could begin in the next three to four years. After port approval of new plans, the California Coastal Commission must review as well.


The Port meeting Tuesday starts at 1 p.m. at the Don L. Nay Port Administration Boardroom at 3165 Pacific Highway in San Diego.


Business

phillip.molnar@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1891 Twitter: @phillipmolnar

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