Developers target projects at or near boating destinations

Developers target projects at or near boating destinations

California is a desirable place to live and visit. One of the most popular destinations for residents, visitors and tourists alike are beaches and harbors along the Pacific Ocean coastline. Accordingly, some developers are looking to develop multimillion-dollar projects on prime waterfront real estate between Ventura and the U.S.-Mexico border. Some projects are small in scale and specific in use, while others would dramatically alter the current landscape. The flags below represent an overview of nine areas with developments that could augment where recreational boaters frequently visit or dock.

VENTURA HARBOR
104 new slips
270 residential units
21,300 sq. ft. of commercial and retail
REDONDO BEACH
About 3,000 residential units
Up to 360,000 sq. ft. of commercial and retail
0 new slips
HUNTINGTON HARBOUR
23 boat slips
Recreational and restaurant uses
MARINA DEL REY
209 renovated slips
196 upgraded residential units
No retail
No restaurants
LONG BEACH – ALAMITOS BAY
Up to 710 residential units
Up to 140,000 sq. ft. of retail
Recreational uses
0 new slips
DANA POINT
About 2,300 boat slips
500+ dry boat storage
30,000 sq. ft. of commercial and retail
Estimated budget: up to $175 million
NEWPORT BEACH
220 boat slips
49 residential units
61,000+ sq. ft. of commercial and retail
SAN DIEGO BAY
Proposed:
Hotels
Condos
Cruise terminals
Retail
Ferris wheel
Arts district
CHULA VISTA MARINA
1,600-room hotel
415,000-sq.-ft. hotel
0 new slips

CHULA VISTA MARINA
The Port of San Diego’s Board of Port Commissioners recently approved an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with RIDA Chula Vista LLC to develop a 1,600-room hotel with a 415,000-square-foot convention center. The marina has not been incorporated into plans … yet. Other hotels on San Diego Bay and adjacent to marinas have their own boat slips. RIDA’s plans could be made public within the next six months. Whether the proposed hotel would have its own boat slips — or assume control over any in the marina — remains to be seen.

SAN DIEGO BAY
Port officials have recently been discussing a 50-year vision of San Diego Bay that could result in significant changes for boaters. For example, a second entrance to the bay could be created at Silver Strand (in between Coronado and Imperial Beach). Other ideas discussed include The Crescent (a recreational marina bringing new boat slips near San Diego International Airport), a 400-foot Ferris wheel at Broadway Pier, high-rise condominiums along North Embarcadero (near boat slips), and residential and commercial development on Harbor and Shelter islands. These projects are still in the discussion phase; specific plans have yet to be developed.

DANA POINT HARBOR
Orange County and Dana Point officials have been trying to revitalize Dana Point Harbor since 1997. The most current iteration of the plan would update the boat slips, provide 516 dry boat storage spaces and feature 30,000 square feet of space for commercial and recreational activities. According to current estimates, the revitalization plan would cost between $150 million and $175 million.

NEWPORT BEACH
City officials hope to realize Back Bay Landing within the next few years. The project proposes to build a mixed-use waterfront village on a 7-acre parcel of land where Upper Newport Bay meets Coast Highway. Under current proposals, Back Bay Landing would add 220 wet slips and more than 140,000 square feet of commercial and residential uses to Newport Beach’s last segment of undeveloped waterfront. Plans also include a dry stack boat storage and marine office.

HUNTINGTON HARBOUR
Huntington Beach is generally known as a surfer’s paradise, but the city is also home to a harbor. For several years, the city has sought to redevelop Percy Dock, which was once home to a 60-foot public fishing and boat dock. Specifically, a private developer proposes to build Harmony Cove Marina, a 23-slip marina with outdoor dining options on a 2.28-acre site.

LONG BEACH
City officials recently opened Dock 10 at Rainbow Harbor and are in the midst of overseeing a massive rebuild of Alamitos Bay Marina. However, the city of Long Beach could soon be voting on another major development adjacent to Alamitos Bay Marina: SeaPort Marina Hotel. The city tried twice before to redevelop this hotel across the street from the marina, but plans were never approved. Is the third time thr charm? A community meeting was held this month to discuss ideas on how to revitalize the property where SeaPort Marina Hotel currently sits. Should any development occur, Alamitos Bay Marina would probably not be altered. However, several iterations of projects are being vetted, such as replacing the hotel with 140,000 square feet of commercial use or a mixed-use project with up to 710 residential units.

REDONDO BEACH
How the area surrounding King Harbor should be developed is currently an ongoing debate in Redondo Beach. The center of the storm: an old power plant across the street from King Harbor. Some corners of Redondo Beach are backing a ballot measure that, if approved, would replace the power plant with a mixed-use development. If realized, the mixed-use development could bring nearly 3,000 new residential units and 360,000 square feet of retail space a short walk from an 825-slip marina.

MARINA DEL REY
The largest small craft harbor in Los Angeles County is no stranger to development. Several new residential developments were built in Marina del Rey in the past two decades. Another one could be on the horizon. Far West Management reportedly received a $36 million loan last month to renovate the Villa Del Mar apartment homes. The four-building residential complex is home to 196 units and 209 boat slips in Marina del Rey. According to reports, the management firm will use the loan money to completely gut and renovate the four buildings. Plans also call for new or upgraded bathrooms and laundry facilities for the boat docks.

VENTURA HARBOR
In 2012, the California Coastal Commission approved the first major development in Ventura Harbor since the 1980s. The project proposed to bring 104 boat slips, 270 residential units, 21,300 square feet of commercial and retail space, a waterfront promenade and a park to Ventura Harbor. However, the project has not yet been realized.

(Note: The information above is not a representation of every active waterfront development in Southern California.)

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