The holders of a ground lease for six acres adjacent to the San Diego Convention Center announced they've submitted plans for two hotels to Port of San Diego officials.
The plan by Fifth Avenue Landing LLC raises the stakes for an expansion of the Convention Center because the property is necessary if the facility is to be enlarged in a way that keeps its exhibit floor space together. That's the option preferred by tourism leaders and many city officials.
Mayor Kevin Faulconer reiterated his support for expanding the Convention Center during his State of the City address last week.
"The mayor supports the waterfront expansion project and the economic benefits it will bring to San Diego,'' mayoral spokesman Matt Awbrey said. "There may be an option that incorporates a smaller waterfront expansion and the hotel project."
Fifth Avenue Landing had informed San Diego officials that if its lease wasn't purchased by the city by March 1, it would proceed with the hotel project, which includes an 831-room convention-style hotel and a 565-bed shared lodging hotel.
Planning for the Convention Center expansion took place under former Mayor Jerry Sanders, but has been delayed by litigation.
The Robert Green Co., an Encinitas-based hotel builder, said it was retained for the Fifth Avenue Landing project.
"The opportunity to build a world-class hotel on San Diego's bay and provide the public with new, high-quality open space is an exciting opportunity for our company,'' owner Robert Green Jr. said.
He said the hotels would be designed to enhance public accessibility to the bay from downtown and fill the public access voids within the project area with a bridge that will link the Convention Center's public viewing platforms with new plazas along San Diego Bay.
Among the arguments against the Convention Center expansion project is that it will "wall off" the bay.
Plans for the hotel project could go before the Board of Port Commissioners within the next two months.
