The Port of San Diego has officially opened a public comment period regarding the proposed redevelopment of East Harbor Island, a project that includes plans for a new Topgolf facility and a significant expansion of public waterfront park space.
According to the Port of San Diego, the project aims to integrate commercial entertainment with public recreational access. The current site serves as a utility area for rental car operations and temporary construction support for the airport, but the proposed plan seeks to reconfigure the land to better serve public and commercial interests.
Project Scope and Proposed Land Use
The development plan, as detailed in the Port’s draft report, proposes a total of 10.1 acres dedicated to a public waterfront park. This portion of the project is designed to include a promenade, various plaza areas, playgrounds, public restrooms, and installations for public art. The remaining 16.5 acres are designated for an entertainment district, with 9.8 acres specifically allocated for a Topgolf driving range and entertainment center. The remaining acreage in the entertainment zone is intended for additional “eatertainment” concepts, which the Port plans to determine through a competitive solicitation process.
Infrastructure improvements are also central to the proposal. The plan calls for the realignment of Liberator Way, a move intended to accommodate new public parking, improved sidewalks, and the addition of planting buffers to separate the new facilities from adjacent traffic.
While the proposal is moving through the environmental review process, it remains subject to approval. The comments submitted by the public during this period will be instrumental in the creation of a final Environmental Impact Report. According to the Port of San Diego, the final EIR and potential amendments to the Port Master Plan are expected to be presented to the Board of Port Commissioners for consideration in late 2026. If the project proceeds, staff will also present a proposed lease agreement for the Topgolf site to the Board for formal review.
How to Submit Public Comments
The Port of San Diego is encouraging community participation throughout the review process. The full Draft Environmental Impact Report is available for digital review via the official Port of San Diego CEQA documents portal. Physical copies have also been made available for public inspection at the Port of San Diego’s Office of the District Clerk, located at 3165 Pacific Highway, as well as at the San Diego Public Library’s Central branch at 330 Park Blvd.
Members of the public wishing to provide feedback may do so through two primary channels:
- Email: Correspondence can be sent directly to [email protected].
- Mail: Written comments may be addressed to:
Port of San Diego
Attn: Megan Hamilton, Development Services Department
3165 Pacific Highway
San Diego, CA 92101-1128
For those interested in the formal proceedings, the Port of San Diego maintains a dedicated page for public notices and environmental disclosures. As the project moves toward a potential decision by the Board of Port Commissioners in 2026, residents are encouraged to monitor the Port’s official updates to stay informed on hearing dates and final planning documents.