DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO – The latest design for the proposed Navy office building on the downtown waterfront is reminiscent of a ship, to the delight of some people who opposed the former blocky look that one critic likened to a “Stalinesque prison.”
The Navy office building proposed for the downtown waterfront by Manchester Development has a nautical aspect.
The building is the first of the Navy Broadway Complex redevelopment to have specific plans announced. Manchester Development unveiled the latest look and an updated master plan for the whole four-block parcel yesterday at a Centre City Development Corp. board meeting.
The hotel, office and museum designs for the site have been massaged and re-maneuvered somewhat on the blocks, with more accessable retail space added.
A pedestrian “Paseo” still runs through the four blocks, though it has been narrowed to allow for a more intimate feel, designers said.
Nancy Graham, president of the downtown redevelopment agency, said her staff has worked with Manchester to make the master plan more pedestrian friendly.
“How the buildings meet the street, how they play with the Paseo to create the life,” Graham said, giving examples of the focus she is pushing. “They have a much more human scale and edge to them on Harbor Drive than previously.”
The site is 14.7 acres bordered by Pacific Highway, Harbor Drive and Broadway. In 1992, the Navy and city agreed on a plan to replace old Navy buildings there with blocks of hotels, offices, restaurants, public pathways, a park and a new Navy Region Southwest headquarters building.
A year ago, the Navy chose San Diego businessman Douglas Manchester's firm to develop the site.
Reactions yesterday to the latest incarnation of the master plan were mixed.
CCDC board member Wayne Raffesberger said he supports more open space, not less, and more view corridors.
“I'm still devoted to seeing if we can make those work better than even what we're seeing today,” Raffesberger said.
Board member Kim Kilkenny said he approved of the direction.
“I've had grave concerns about the prior site plans working from a pedestrian and activities standpoint,” Kilkenny said. “I'm beginning to develop some excitement about what I'm beginning to see.”
Just about everyone seemed to like the new Navy office building design.
Seen from above, the shape resembles a ship facing east. That's no mistake. Tucker Sadler Architects, the design firm, said the Navy was part of its inspiration.
The now-curved sides soften what used to be a bulky building, board members said.
“It's tremendously improved. I can't find a strong enough adjective to say how much better it is,” said Gary Smith, Downtown Residents Group president, who compared the earlier design to that of a prison.
Yesterday's discussion was just another step in the process, not the final word. Downtown redevelopment officials said their agency may be able to green-light the master plan in May or June.
Manchester Development President Perry Dealy said his company is under pressure to get started. Dealy called June a “worst-case scenario.”
Manchester wants to be moving on construction permits for the Navy offices and another building in September, he said.
The CCDC's approval isn't the only challenge ahead for Manchester. The California Coastal Commission has asked the developer for more information, and lawsuits are pending against the Navy and the city over their endorsement of the deal.
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good thing we dont park there 
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