Ivar Leetma

National City wants people to visit its waterfront. MRW Group thinks it has just the incentive.

The locally based developer recently unveiled its Marina Gateway Plaza project, which features a 174-room Best Western hotel, a Buster's Beach House restaurant and a 16,000-square-foot commercial building.

MRW Group officials hope to develop two additional parcels nearby, possibly attracting a few more restaurants and some retail vendors.

"The city is trying to get more civic and commercial uses out of the property," said Ivar Leetma, MRW's chief operating officer. "The idea is to draw people here and give them something to do and learn about the city, both visitors and (county) residents alike. Most people in the county haven't been to National City. They haven't had a reason to."