Developer floats a possible data center at the Navy's NAVWAR site; Rep. Peters and local officials object

A data center of roughly 400 megawatts is among the options being explored for the Navy's NAVWAR campus near Old Town, Voice of San Diego reported Thursday, Oct. 15. KPBS confirmed the concept Friday as local officials lined up against it.

Manchester Financial Group, the developer chosen to redevelop the roughly 70-acre site, says a data center is one possibility alongside hotel, medical, university and defense uses, and that it has no energy agreements or tenant, according to both outlets. Under the deal, the developer would build the Navy a new command center in exchange for a long-term lease on the rest of the land.

At a news conference Friday, Rep. Scott Peters said the site should be used for housing, KPBS reported. City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert told KPBS that a data center never came up in her briefings and called that 'not transparent.' Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera told Voice of San Diego he was 'quite bothered' by the idea.

Because the land is federal, the project does not need city permits, KPBS reported. The Navy's updated environmental impact statement is expected in 2027.