SAN DIEGO -- A developer is suing the state of California in hopes of proceeding with the construction of a new waterfront project in downtown San Diego, 10News reported.

Developer Doug Manchester filed a lawsuit after the California Coastal Commission said the Navy Broadway Complex required a state permit.

Read the complete lawsuit.

Manchester said otherwise, claiming in the lawsuit that the California Coastal Commission’s “jurisdiction does not extend to development activities… on federal land.”

The commission and other critics said the high-rise project could threaten the environment.

“It’s deck chairs on the Titanic. It does no good to dress up the deck if you can’t steer the ship in the right direction. Transit, housing and water quality are the three big ones,” said attorney Marco Gonzalez.

The state and Manchester are due in federal court on Aug. 13.

Read the commission's motion to dismiss.

Read more about the 10News investigation on the waterfront project, including statements from Manchester and project assessment documents here.