News Summary
The Midway Rising project will reshape San Diego with a new 16,000-seat stadium, affordable and market-rate housing, retail spaces, and public parks. Developed by Chelsea Investment Corporation, Legends, and Zephyr, the project promises significant economic impacts, job creation, and infrastructure improvements. However, community concerns about traffic and environmental issues remain. The City Council is set to review the proposal in 2025, with groundbreaking anticipated for late 2026.
San Diego is set to experience a major transformation with the announcement of the “Midway Rising” project, which aims to revamp the historic Pechanga Arena. This ambitious development plan will replace the existing 14,000-seat arena with a new state-of-the-art 16,000-seat stadium.
In addition to the upgraded sports venue, the project plans to introduce approximately 2,000 affordable apartments alongside 2,250 market-rate apartments. It will also provide a vibrant retail environment, featuring around 130,000 square feet dedicated to shops and restaurants and 14.5 acres of parks and public spaces for community enjoyment.
The Midway Rising project is spearheaded by three key players in the development industry: Chelsea Investment Corporation, which has successfully completed over 65 projects in San Diego County with a total budget exceeding $3 billion; sports venue developer Legends; and site developer Zephyr, who has managed more than $1 billion in mixed-use projects. Financing for the development comes from The Kroenke Group.
In September 2022, the San Diego City Council formally selected the Midway Rising team to undertake this significant project. A draft environmental impact report (EIR) has already been released, and community meetings are currently taking place to gather public feedback on the proposal. The project is anticipated to be presented to the City Council for approval in fall 2025.
Although specific budget figures for the project have not been provided due to ever-changing construction market conditions, the project is expected to have substantial economic impacts. Officials predict the financial implications could be comparable to those generated by the three most significant annual events held at the San Diego Convention Center, including Comic-Con.
Key officials have highlighted the potential benefits of the Midway Rising project, including job creation and enhanced city revenue. The development not only aims to improve local infrastructure but also seeks to cater to sports fans by positioning San Diego as a competitive destination for top sporting events and concerts. Local resident and sports enthusiast Zack Tembi has expressed excitement over the new stadium, suggesting that it could raise San Diego’s profile as a prominent sports city.
However, the project is not without its challenges and criticisms. The Peninsula Community Planning Board has voiced concerns over the anticipated increase in traffic, particularly around Rosecrans Street, due to the larger stadium. Critics have pointed out that proposed traffic mitigation measures appear insufficient, highlighting that there is only one shuttle bus planned for the area and suggesting that more comprehensive transit solutions need to be explored.
Moreover, community members have raised concerns about potential environmental impacts, such as geological issues related to ground stability and the preservation of archaeological sites that may be affected during construction. Nonetheless, developers have assured the public that necessary investments in infrastructure will ultimately benefit the broader Midway community and help create an environmentally friendly and inclusive neighborhood.
As the project continues to develop, plans for the new stadium and surrounding housing remain committed to providing mixed-income housing accessible to all San Diegans. A groundbreaking is anticipated for late 2026, provided the City Council grants the necessary approvals in the coming years.
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Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
