San Diego mayoral candidate Larry Turner on Monday called for the city to rebid the Midway District redevelopment project, accusing Mayor Todd Gloria of having ties to a member of the development team.
The Midway Rising project would redevelop a dilapidated area of warehouses and strip clubs, building 4,250 new homes, replacing the aging Sports Arena and creating an urban park and adjacent entertainment district.
But in a letter to the mayor, Turner requested a rebid because of “modifications to the initial plan, significant cost increases being passed on to taxpayers, and the appointment of a major campaign donor as the project developer.” He was referring to the principals of Encinitas-based Zephyr LLC, one of four companies involved in the project.
Turner, a police officer who is campaigning for his first public office, also criticized the “removal of middle-income affordable units and a significant reduction in hotel capacity.”
Citing concerns over past handling of the 101 Ash Street project, Turner wrote,” I urge you to order a rebidding process that ensures full disclosure and transparency.”
Turner, who received 23.1% of the vote in the March 5 primary, faces Gloria, who polled 50.0%, in the November general election.