California Construction News staff writer
The Port of San Diego and USS Midway Museum are moving ahead with plans for Freedom Park at Burnham Navy Pier, a nearly 10-acre project that will become the largest veterans park on the West Coast.
On Aug. 12, the Port’s Board of Commissioners approved a $2.6-million contract with Condon-Johnson Associates to reinforce the pier’s east end, where the headhouse building was demolished earlier this year. Work is scheduled to begin in October and wrap up by February 2026.
Freedom Park is slated to open in 2028 and will honour the region’s military history while telling the stories of everyday service members. Plans include memorials and monuments, a nature garden, play areas, shaded seating, and interpretive signage. The park will extend from the west end of Navy Pier, around the USS Midway, to the Bob Hope Memorial.
“Freedom Park at Burnham Navy Pier represents our steadfast commitment to honoring the legacy of those who have served and sacrificed for our nation,” said Danielle Moore, chair of the Port’s Board of Commissioners. “We are building a vibrant space for reflection, connection, and reaffirming our promise to military veterans and their families.”
USS Midway Museum president and CEO Terry Kraft said the pier work will clear the way for park construction to begin in early 2026. “We’re excited with the continual progress being made on the creation of Freedom Park at Burnham Navy Pier,” Kraft said.
The Port and the Midway broke ground in spring 2024, following years of planning and regulatory review. The California Coastal Commission approved the project in February 2023, after the Port and Midway signed a 2022 memorandum of understanding detailing responsibilities and cost-sharing.
The $77-million project is being jointly funded. The Port has contributed $11.7 million for pile improvements, while the Midway has covered demolition and will finance the reinforcement work and full park buildout through fundraising. U.S. Rep. Scott Peters has also secured $2 million in federal funding. Once complete, the Port and Midway will split ongoing maintenance costs.
