Embarcadero (San Diego) - North Embarcadero Visionary Plan

North Embarcadero Visionary Plan

In 1997 a major redevelopment of the Embarcadero was proposed, to be carried out through a Joint Powers Authority (JPA), composed of the City of San Diego, the Centre City Development Corporation (CCDC), and the Port of San Diego. The proposed redevelopment was called the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan, a multi-phased redevelopment of the waterfront in Downtown San Diego. This redevelopment project proposed to move Harbor Drive 40 feet (12 m) to the east and build an esplanade from B Street Pier to the former Navy Pier along Harbor Drive. It also included public art displays, tree groves and open spaces, while continuing San Diego's tradition of having a working waterfront, according to Port plans. The proposed redevelopment area was bordered by Market Street to the south (Marina District), Laurel Street to the north (Little Italy), and the railroad tracks to the east.

However, the proposed redevelopment project was sent back to the drawing boards in April 2010 when the California Coastal Commission rejected it. A major issue was the disappearance from the plan of an originally proposed 79,000-square-foot (7,300 m2) grassy park. In the plan rejected by the Coastal Commission, the park had been replaced by a smaller, hardscape plaza. The Port will now amend its master plan and resubmit its proposal for Coastal Commission approval - a process that can take several years.