Mayor Jerry Sanders is soliciting bids to redevelop the Brown Field Airport in Otay Mesa.
The city-owned airport has been in the crosshairs of developers before, most recently in 2001 when the City Council, led by former Mayor Dick Murphy, killed a proposal to transform the facility into a major cargo airport.
Sanders spokesman George Biagi said that while the community thought the 2001 proposal was too ambitious, the mayor is hoping that some redevelopment effort takes place in order to add value to the underused city property.
“Any variety of things can go there,” Biagi said, noting that aviated-related activities have to take place on the 65-acre site, but that other development is allowed. Biagi mentioned manufacturing and a business park as other possible uses — as long as an airport remains.
Sanders and his land-use aides are expected to release details of his vision for the South Bay facility at a Thursday morning press conference. Stay tuned for more.