In September, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command dropped in to clue the Midway Community Planning Group in on early plans it has to redevelop its hangar complex near Old Town.
Based in San Diego, SPAWAR designs and develops communications and information systems, employing more than 12,000 professionals around the world and those of the United States Navy fleet.
SPAWAR is one of the Navy’s principal commands directly under the Chief of Naval Operations. It is the Navy’s technical authority and acquisition command for communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, business information technology and space systems. Eighty percent of the Point Loma Military Reservation evolved into the Naval Electronics Laboratory Center (NELC) at the end of World War II. In 1977, NELC was merged into the Naval Ocean Systems Center, and eventually was merged into SPAWAR.
Phil Brice, SPAWAR’s director of command operations, characterized the Old Town hangar complex as “a huge facility,” adding, “Ninety-seven percent of SPAWAR is government civilians working to develop communications, both satellite and underwater. We’re in the early stages of revitalizing our big hangars that run all through Old Town. We’re seeking new facilities for that.”
Brice noted SPAWAR has 5,000 employees in San Diego making it the city’s 12th largest employer.
“We’re trying to figure out what we need to move into the future,” said Brice. “We need to redevelop to increase cyber security.”
The modern age has created an all together different environment, with a much stronger need for enhanced cyber security, Brice pointed out. He added SPAWAR, with its hangar complex, has “40 acres that we can exchange.”
Added Brice, “We (SPAWAR) don’t have a specific (redevelopment) plan in mind, nor do we have a developer or builder. We want San Diego to figure that out.”
Brice noted, in terms of redevelopment, that SPAWAR “could be an anchor with development around it.”
“We’re very appreciative of the fact you’ve reached out and want us in the process,” said MCPG chair Cathy Kenton.
In other action:
• City transportation planner Vickie White told the group she and her colleagues are finishing up internal drafts of the long-awaited Midway Community Plan update. “We’ll have a 60-day public review of our analysis,” said White. “Then we’ll move into public hearings with the city Planning Commission and City Council at the end of March next year.”