The Port of San Diego is reviewing an ambitious proposal this week that could transform 124 acres of the Otay District along the Chula Vista Bayfront into a major sports, hospitality, and commercial complex anchored by a tennis center affiliated with a professional sports star.

According to port officials, the Board of Port Commissioners may authorize a six-month exclusive negotiating agreement with The McGarey Group, the developer behind the proposed Pangaea Chula Vista Sports Entertainment District. The site lies between L Street and the Chula Vista Marina, just over a mile from the newly opened Gaylord Pacific Resort.

The initial phase of the project includes three hotels with up to 700 rooms, a tennis center, a water polo academy, a multi-use stadium, a 300,000-square-foot retail area, two golf courses, an IMAX theater, and 150,000 square feet dedicated to aquaculture and bluetech industries. “The project aims to fuse sports, entertainment, dining, and wellness in a thoughtfully designed environment that connects land and water, benefiting both the local community and tourism,” developers F. Denver McGarey and Gerald Divaris wrote in a letter to Port CEO Scott Chadwick.

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The architectural design is led by Greg Mueller of Tucker Sadler Architects, known for his work on The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park and other notable projects throughout the region.

This initiative marks Phase 3 of the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan, a long-term redevelopment effort by the City of Chula Vista and the Unified Port District of San Diego. Phase 1 delivered the Gaylord Pacific Resort, Sweetwater Park, and a waterfront RV park. Phase 2 includes retail and cultural development around the marina.

If approved, developers must finalize the involvement of the unnamed professional athlete and conduct a market study to assess exclusivity requirements. After the six-month negotiation period, they will be required to present progress to the Port Commission.

Port staff has recommended moving forward with the proposal, citing strong regional interest in tennis and a lack of available courts for both tennis and pickleball in the South Bay. Additionally, The McGarey Group’s willingness to develop the site “as-is” could save the port hundreds of thousands of dollars in planning and entitlement work.

“The project has the potential to draw visitors from across the region, including Mexico, and enhance the overall experience for those already attending conventions or recreational events along the bay,” the port’s report states.