Time's Up

In an April 1993 Reader article, a Chevron Land and Development spokesperson was quoted as saying Mission Valley’s Stardust Golf Course (now Riverwalk) “will be closed in July 1993” for the long-planned construction of 1300 condos and two million square feet of offices.

“I’d die to save the Stardust,” said a Stardust maintenance worker.

More public outcry ensued, including in Tom Cushman’s Union-Tribune sports column during the 1993 LPGA tournament at the Stardust (the last pro tourney there).

The River Valley Preservation Project (one of the first San Diego River preservation groups) staged demonstrations during the 1993 tournament, which included passing out copies of a letter authored by pro golfer Phil Mickelson, who advocated the Stardust’s preservation.

The San Diego City Council approved the course's development with the Levi-Cushman Specific Plan in 1987 and a December 1988 Development Agreement with Chevron Land, the Levi family, Ruth Schulman, Steve Cushman (port commissioner), and his brother Larry Cushman.

The Development Agreement contractually bound the City to allow the development to go forward if it were started within 20 years. That agreement expired in December 2008. The course never closed to the public and no development ever began. Therefore, any future plans to develop the course, which is recognized as the largest, most scenic recreational area in the valley, would have to start from scratch.