Private Company that Holds Substantial Leases in Liberty Station Argues in Court San Diego Must Sell It
It is true. The City of San Diego may very well lose ownership of Liberty Station, the former military base turned market-cafe-artsy rich that also holds historic, cultural, park and recreational resources for the public. And it may lose ownership to a large, private management company that already holds mucho leases at the site.
The company, Seligman Properties, has taken the city to court and argues San Diego must offer to sell the 20-year-old Liberty Station development to the highest bidder because the city has no plans to further develop it, which the company contends state law requires for the city to continue ownership. And Seligman is in a great position to be that highest bidder, by implication.
As you may recall, Liberty Station, formerly the Naval Training Center, was acquired by the city in 2000. And immediately mixed-use development began under a city deal with the McMillin Cos for housing, retail and an arts district. Critics called the deal one of the greatest public land give-aways in modern San Diego history.
Private Company that Holds Substantial Leases in Liberty Station Argues in Court San Diego Must Sell It
It is true. The City of San Diego may very well lose ownership of Liberty Station, the former military base turned market-cafe-artsy rich that also holds historic, cultural, park and recreational resources for the public. And it may lose ownership to a large, private management company that already holds mucho leases at the site.
The company, Seligman Properties, has taken the city to court and argues San Diego must offer to sell the 20-year-old Liberty Station development to the highest bidder because the city has no plans to further develop it, which the company contends state law requires for the city to continue ownership. And Seligman is in a great position to be that highest bidder, by implication.
As you may recall, Liberty Station, formerly the Naval Training Center, was acquired by the city in 2000. And immediately mixed-use development began under a city deal with the McMillin Cos for housing, retail and an arts district. Critics called the deal one of the greatest public land give-aways in modern San Diego history.