San Diego – In a statement to local media, Manchester Financial Group confirmed that housing will be a “major part” of the final plan to redevelop the 70‑acre Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) campus near downtown. The developer, which is also exploring a 400‑megawatt data center on the site, said the mixed‑use project will feature “thousands of multi‑family homes for San Diegans” alongside retail, commercial and industrial uses.
Developer’s vision for the NAVWAR site
Manchester Financial Group CEO Ted Eldredge wrote that the housing component is essential to making the project feasible and addressing the region’s housing crisis. “Housing is going to be a major part of this project – it’s what helps make it feasible and we look forward to building the homes we need to address our region’s housing crisis,” Eldredge said.
The NAVWAR property consists of two parcels: Old Town Campus 1 (about 47 acres) and Old Town Campus 2 (approximately 22 acres). Manchester says a data center, if pursued, would occupy a portion of the smaller 22‑acre parcel, while the larger site would host the residential and other mixed‑use elements.
Negotiations with the Navy and local utilities
Under a proposed 99‑year lease, Manchester would build a new command center for the Navy in exchange for the right to redevelop the two parcels. The developer is currently discussing power requirements for the potential data center with San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and other utility providers, acknowledging that a 400‑megawatt facility could require upgrades to the city’s power grid.
City Councilmember Sean Elo‑Rivera expressed concern that the cost of such upgrades might be passed to ratepayers. “If we’re being told that customers would absorb that cost, it’s incredibly alarming and SDG&E owes a response to the public about it,” he said.
Local officials weigh in
Rep. Scott Peters and City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert held a press conference urging that the area be developed as a “mini‑downtown” rather than a data center. Their criticism reflects community apprehension about large‑scale tech projects that could strain local infrastructure.
Despite the pushback, Manchester maintains that any full‑scale development will include a mixed‑use project with homes, retail, commercial and industrial uses, and that the housing component is central to the plan’s viability.
Implications for San Diego residents
If the developer’s projections materialize, the project could add thousands of multi‑family units, providing much‑needed affordable housing options for San Diegans. The mixed‑use approach also promises new retail and commercial space, potentially creating jobs and boosting the local economy.
Community members and elected officials will continue to monitor the negotiations, particularly the balance between data‑center ambitions and the promised housing component. The outcome will shape how the former NAVWAR campus integrates into the fabric of downtown San Diego.
Original reporting: Voice of San Diego — read the source article.
