{"id":241349,"date":"2019-08-02T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-08-02T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sdnews.com\/will-grand-central-station-become-reality\/"},"modified":"2019-08-02T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2019-08-02T07:00:00","slug":"will-grand-central-station-become-reality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/will-grand-central-station-become-reality\/","title":{"rendered":"Will \u2018Grand Central Station\u2019 become reality?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Por DAVE FIDLIN | Noticias del Centro<\/p>\n

Nothing is official and everything is on the table.<\/p>\n

This sums up sentiments shared in recent weeks from a cross-section of officials as long-range plans for the aging Naval Base Point Loma Old Town Campus are going under the microscope.<\/p>\n

The Navy Region Southwest, which has oversight of Point Loma\u2019s various properties, has agreed to enter into a non-binding memorandum of understanding, or MOU, with the San Diego Association of Governments on the 70-acre Old Town site.<\/p>\n

While the MOU on paper is between the U.S. Navy and SANDAG, other governing entities \u2014 including the City of San Diego \u2014 also have stepped up to the plate and expressed interest in helping pave a path forward for the Old Town Campus.<\/p>\n

\"Will
Old Town Campus map (Photo courtesy SANDAG)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Conceptually, a number of possibilities have been floated for all or portions of the Old Town Campus. SANDAG has been advocating for the use of a portion of the site for a \u201cGrand Central Station\u201d that could serve as an important transportation hub that could connect the trolley system to the airport.<\/p>\n

Other reuse possibilities for portions of the campus include a hybrid, mixed-use development scenario that could bring more housing, office space and retail to Downtown.<\/p>\n

The MOU, officially signed July 10, outlines why the Navy is exploring different options for the Old Town campus at this time.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe existing space is currently underutilized and is functionally obsolescent, given the 1940s-era facilities\u2019 design,\u201d a passage within the document states.<\/p>\n

The active areas of the Old Town Campus currently function as space for cybersecurity and other related efforts through such programs as the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, or NAVWAR.<\/p>\n

Officials said the MOU is intentionally designed to be open-ended with few specific timetables in place.<\/p>\n

Jessica Gonzales, a spokeswoman with SANDAG, said the MOU will remain active for as long as necessary. Further information, she said, will come to light as needed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s still early in the process,\u201d Gonzales said when asked about a possible timeline.<\/p>\n

Officials in the Navy\u2019s public information office indicated a range of efforts, including public input sessions, will take place in the road ahead before decisions are made.<\/p>\n

While the future of the Navy\u2019s Old Town Campus is not solidified at this point, officials at a recent news conference said the MOU in place will serve as an important instrument in exploring the full range of options \u2014 including, but not limited to, the Grand Central Station scenario.<\/p>\n

At the news conference, held the day the MOU was signed, Mayor Kevin Faulconer said he viewed it as a win for all parties involved.<\/p>\n

\u201cRedeveloping this property is an important opportunity to potentially grow the Navy\u2019s footprint, and create good-paying jobs,\u201d Faulconer said.<\/p>\n

Speaking to the transportation hub, Faulconer also said the MOU is \u201ca golden opportunity \u2026 to explore building what some of the world\u2019s greatest cities have already done, and what we deserve here in San Diego.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the event, Cpt. Mark Edelson, commanding officer with the Naval Facilities Engineering Command in the Southwest Region, said the military branch has been actively looking at ways to optimize use of the Old Town Campus for a number of years.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis agreement, this MOU, gives us a framework to work with the City of San Diego,\u201d Edelson said. \u201cThe Navy needs to develop [the campus] for war-fighting purposes to protect the country. If we can have a framework to collaborate and communicate on the redevelopment of this site \u2026 that is a wonderful opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n

While the Navy will determine the ultimate next steps for the Old Town Campus, Steve Vaus, chair of the board overseeing SANDAG, said he looks forward to having the organization have a seat at the table as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cShoulder to shoulder, we\u2019ll move closer to have a transportation system that meets the needs of every person in every part of the community, all while ensuring the Navy has what it needs to keep America safe,\u201d Vaus, mayor of Poway, said at the news conference.<\/p>\n

Navy officials have indicated plans of posting periodic updates on the redevelopment reviews of the Old Town Campus at their official website, cnic.navy.mil\/regions\/cnrsw.html.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Dave Fidlin is a freelance journalist with a special affinity for San Diego and its people. Contact him at dave.fidlin@thinkpost.net.v<\/p>\n

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