NTC Park Plan Approved by Council
The Former Naval Training Center's 49-acre Park Moves Forward

SAN DIEGO, CA - San Diego City Council Tuesday approved the general plan for the former Naval Training Center's (NTC) park, developed and presented by the Redevelopment Agency, the Park and Recreation Department, and NTC's master developer, The Corky McMillin Companies. The design spans 49-acres between the Liberty Station development and the boat channel and along a small strip on the other side of the channel. McMillin will initially fund the $14.7 million park.

A gathering place for families, artisans, businesses and community cultural groups, NTC Park will be constructed in two phases. Phase I includes two ball fields, two large picnic areas, four half-court basketball courts, a sports plaza, two tot lots, an historical area at Preble Field, a natural habitat zone, a multi-purpose field, an esplanade for bicycling and walking, and three comfort stations. Phase II amenities include the conceptual acquatics complex and additional parking, which will be built when funding is made available. Until then, the area will be planted with turf.

"We've worked for a decade now to transform the former Naval Training Center into a resource all San Diegans can use, while reflecting the rich maritime history our City enjoys," said Hank Cunningham, assistant executive director of the City of San Diego Redevelopment Agency. "We're one step closer to the vision of NTC, ultimately as a destination for residents and visitors alike; a place surrounded by green, bordered by water and centered on history."

Currently, the World War II Submarine Veterans are proposing a memorial within the Preble Field plaza in the park to commemorate the 52 submarines lost during World War II. Other memorials, initiated by the community, may be incorporated into the project.

"We are excited to begin development on NTC Park. We've worked hard to gain public support and develop a plan that would benefit all San Diegans. We've been able to do that while still reflecting the history of the area," said Park and Recreation Department Director, Ellen Oppenheim.

Planning for the new community at NTC began in 1993 after the U.S. Navy announced it would close the base under the federal Base Closure and Realignment Act. The City of San Diego's vision for the property, developed through extensive public input, is to create a center that celebrates San Diego's maritime history and opens public access to the waterway. This new community will anchor revitalization of the northern area of San Diego Bay. It will also support education, training, and research and development programs. Designated as a Local Agency Military Base Recovery Area (LAMBRA) tax incentive area, state tax credits will be available to new businesses locating to the area.

The NTC Redevelopment Project Area is expected to create more than 8,000 permanent jobs, $2.2 million in annual property tax revenue, and $875,000 in annual tax revenue set-aside for low/moderate income housing. The approved redevelopment program includes: 350 new single family and multifamily homes, 495,000 sq. ft. of educational space, 380,000 sq. ft. of new office/R&D facilities, two hotel sites equal to 1,000 rooms, and a mixed use precinct. The mixed-use area includes the 300,000 sq. ft. Promenade Centre, a 324,000 sq. ft. commercial area including office and retail space, restaurants, museums, recreational facilities and a 22-acre golf course with a driving range. Parks and open space are also included, with the 469 acres for NTC Park and 54 acres of open water area (boat channel).

Two citizen committees helped to shape the park, working under the NTC Reuse Committee and the Mayor's Citizen Implementation Advisory Committee. The final plan approved by City Council considered community input, including live testimony and written statements and recommendations. The design will now go before the California Coastal Commission for approval. After permits are issued for the plans, the approximately nine-month construction process will begin.

For questions about the NTC Redevelopment Project please call the Redevelopment Agency at (619) 533-4233 or visit the City's web site at www.sandiego.gov.

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The City of San Diego Redevelopment Agency eliminates blight from designated areas, as well as achieves the goals of development, reconstruction and rehabilitation of residential, commercial, industrial, and retail districts. Redevelopment is one of the most effective ways to breathe new life into deteriorated areas plagued by social, physical, environmental or economic conditions that act as a barrier to new investment by private enterprise. The City of San Diego Redevelopment Agency consists of three divisions: the City Redevelopment Division (housed in the City of San Diego Community and Economic Development Department), the Centre City Development Corporation and the Southeastern Economic Development Corporation.