News Summary
San Diego is preparing for a major redevelopment with the Midway Rising project, which includes plans for a new arena, thousands of apartments, and retail spaces. The initiative aims to enhance the community and tackle housing needs, promising 2,000 affordable units. However, concerns regarding traffic, environmental impacts, and preserving historical sites have emerged. The planning commission’s approval could lead to significant economic benefits and job creation, with groundbreaking expected next year if all approvals are secured.
San Diego is poised for a significant transformation with the upcoming review of the Midway Rising project, a $3.9-billion redevelopment initiative aimed at revitalizing the city’s 49.2-acre sports arena site. The San Diego Planning Commission will evaluate this major proposal that includes thousands of new apartments, a replacement arena, and various retail spaces, among other amenities.
City staff has recommended approval of the actions necessary for the project, such as amendments to the general and community plans, as well as a zoning change to facilitate residential mixed-use development. If approved, the Midway Rising project could see the addition of up to 4,254 residential units, which is 2,088 more than what is currently permitted for the site. The redevelopment plan also proposes a maximum building height of up to 250 feet in certain areas.
Key components of the project include the construction of a 16,000-seat replacement arena and 130,000 square feet of commercial space. Additionally, the plan outlines the development of 8.1 acres of parks and 6.4 acres of plazas and public space, further enriching the community environment. Importantly, there is a commitment to deliver 2,000 affordable housing units aimed at families earning 80% or less of the area median income.
The Midway Rising project is a collaborative effort involving market-rate developer Zephyr, affordable housing builder Chelsea Investment Corp., and operator Legends, with investments from The Kroenke Group. If the Planning Commission approves the project, it will proceed for a final review before the City Council later this year.
The extensive redevelopment is projected to have a substantial economic impact, estimated to generate approximately $285 million annually and create numerous job opportunities while transforming a long-neglected area of the city.
However, the project is not without controversy. Community concerns have been raised about potential traffic congestion, environmental repercussions, and the historic status of the existing arena, which is designated as a historical resource. During typical arena events, the project is anticipated to produce an additional 22,514 daily car trips.
To address these traffic concerns, there are plans to reconfigure Sports Arena Boulevard into four lanes for vehicles and two dedicated bus lanes, as well as to establish a shuttle service between Frontier Drive and the Old Town Transit Center. Ample parking is also being considered, with 7,040 parking spaces allocated for residents, visitors to the entertainment center, and retail patrons.
Despite these plans, several community groups have voiced opposition, highlighting issues related to traffic management, building size, and perceived inadequacies in the proposed mitigation measures for congestion. Additionally, there are worries about potential archaeological impacts, particularly related to the existence of Native American artifacts that could be overlooked during the construction process.
Execution of the development will occur in two phases over a projected ten-year timeline, with the eastern portion of the project possibly being the first to open. If all approvals are secured, groundbreaking for the Midway Rising project is expected to commence late next year.
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Additional Resources
- San Diego Union-Tribune
- Wikipedia: Midway Sports Arena
- San Diego Magazine
- Google Search: Midway Rising project San Diego
- NBC San Diego
- Google Scholar: Midway Rising redevelopment
- Fox 5 San Diego
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Diego
- Times of San Diego
- Google News: Midway Rising project economic impact
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.
