A federal judge today ordered San Diego to let Blackwater Worldwide open a Navy training facility in Otay Mesa. The private contractor plans to start training sailors at the site as soon as tomorrow. KPBS reporter Amita Sharma has more.
Judge Marilyn Huff ruled that Blackwater fulfilled the city’s requirements to get an occupancy permit for the 61,000 square foot warehouse. She agreed that denying the permit would cause it irreparable harm by jeopardizing its $400 million contract with the Navy.
Blackwater lawyer Mike Neil says he’s pleased.
Neil : It’s just too bad that we had to go to the length of actually filing a lawsuit because we don’t want to do that.
The city attorney’s office had argued that the project needed further review. The office released a statement saying the ruling usurps the city’s police power to regulate land.
Amita Sharma, KPBS News.
