The defunct South Bay Power Plant in Chula Vista is set to be demolished in a single implosion Saturday morning, but now controversy over what will happen to the land surrounding the power plant is kicking up some dust.
Plans had been made to turn the South Bay space into parks, trails and scenic promenades. The 556-acre land-use plan, which is set to span four phases over the 24 years, would add open space and habitat protection in place of the power plant.
However, San Diego Gas and Electric says that was never the case.
On Friday, officials from SDG&E said the company plans to build a new substation about a half-mile from the original site of the South Bay Power Plant.
In a statement released Friday, SDG&E said:
“The City of Chula Vista and the Port of San Diego support the relocation of the substation -- and the new state of the art structure still allows the waterfront land to be open to the public.”
However, John Moot, an attorney who represents the land owner, says the plan violates size requirements and the city’s master plan for the area.
“We all understand the need for power -- everybody knows that. But these types of projects have to fit into the community. SDG&E [needs] to be a good community partner and recognize this is an area residents are going to enjoy for 50 years or more and they have to build this project right,” said Moot.
Meanwhile, Saturday’s highly-anticipated power plant demolition is set for 7 a.m. City officials have set up a viewing area along Marine Way, just across the bay from where the plant is located, so locals can watch the implosion live.
The map below outlines where public parking and that viewing area will be located:
Photo Credit: Jeff Herrera