The San Diego Port Commission voted unanimously to give the go ahead to a major hotel development on the Embarcadero between Broadway and B Street. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.
The $400 million dollar project known as Lane Field will add two new multi story hotels to the bayfront, adjacent to the Navy Broadway site where several more multi story hotels are planned.
Critics argued that the projects, approved in 2000, should be reconsidered because new developments along the embarcadero benefit private profits rather than the public interest. Don Wood is with a citizens coalition
Wood: We also believe the ports recent decision to sign a contract with Carnival cruise line to build a new permanent cruise ship terminal on Broadway pier represent a substantial change to the carefully balanced agreements .
But Cheryl Kendrick of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation was one of many speakers in favor.
Kendrick: To stay at the top our game competitively it's critical that we continue to add new hotel rooms. The addition of a new upscale intercontinental with 500 rooms and the second hotel project of 300 rooms would bring downtowns inventory to just over 12 thousand.
The Port Commissioners extracted a promise from the developers that they would commit to high environmental standards of energy and water saving design. The plan leaves narrow view corridors of the bay down B and C streets. Alison St John, KPBS News.
