San Diego Democrats Stand Against Data Centers at NAVWAR

From Voice of San Diego / Oct. 23, 2026

Ever since we broke the news that a huge data center might be built in downtown San Diego, local Democrats have been insisting its time to pump the breaks.

Thursday morning, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria posted a photo of himself signing an executive order that temporarily bans data centers on X.

“San Diego is putting clear rules in place before we allow data centers in our city,” he wrote.

San Diego Councilmembers Sean Elo-Rivera, Joe LaCava and Kent Lee gathered outside City Hall later that day announcing the proposal of a new city law that would place requirements on data centers built under their jurisdiction.

“We need more than a pause. We need laws in place to protect us from a tidal wave of harm,” Elo-Rivera said, citing his concerns that such projects raise utility bills for residents, and pollute the air and water.

The data center that sparked all this, if ever built, would be erected on federal land owned by the U.S. Navy on a site referred to as NAVWAR. The lawmakers acknowledged their actions Thursday wouldn’t be enough to halt what’s being explored by private developer, Manchester Financial Group.

“The city can’t stop this project on its own. Congress can,” Elo-Rivera said.

He urged San Diego’s congressional delegation to urge the Navy in writing to rule out a data center on the proposed redevelopment site of their 70 acres near the Midway District.

“Data centers… are the physical manifestation of so much we hate that is happening in the world right now,” Elo-Rivera said. “We will no longer sit idly by.”