The San Diego City Council is set to vote on the Midway Rising arena and mixed-use district, a development valued at over $4.2 billion. Council members will consider Agenda Items 600-602 at 1:00 p.m., which include a 105-year ground lease and a $378 million financing package covering land use, zoning, planning, housing, and permitting actions. The proposal, backed by billionaire Stan Kroenke's private team, aims to replace the existing Pechanga Arena with a new 16,000-seat indoor venue.
The proposed development will add retail, parks, and 2,000 affordable apartments across 48.5 acres of city-owned land. Phase 1 of the arena is budgeted at $520 million and will rise up to 165 feet on the site's eastern edge, with an 800- to 1,000-space garage built alongside it. The project promises extensive infrastructure upgrades, including $400-460 million for road, utility, and storm-water upgrades.
The wider district plan calls for 4,224 residential units up to 250 feet tall, including the 2,000 affordable homes that would constitute the largest public-land affordable-housing build in California history. Additional components feature 130,000 sq ft of retail and dining space and $65 million for parks. The development is expected to be built in multiple phases over many years.
Opponents have raised concerns about flood-plain risk, traffic, noise, and the enforceability of the affordable-housing commitment, citing a recent FEMA report and a blocked height-limit exemption after the California Supreme Court declined to hear the city's appeal. Mayor Todd Gloria emphasized that the project will be built in multiple phases, with the existing Pechanga Arena remaining operational until the new facility is ready.
If approved, construction is slated to begin in 2027, with Kroenke's partners—including Legends Global, Zephyr, and Chelsea Investment Corp.—tasked with delivering the arena, housing, and infrastructure components. The San Diego City Council's decision will determine the fate of the Midway Rising project, which has been years in the making.
The Midway Rising project has been touted as a major development for San Diego, bringing a new arena and much-needed affordable housing to the city. However, opponents argue that the project's impact on the environment and local community needs to be carefully considered. The council's vote will be a crucial step in determining the project's future.
The project's approval would mark a significant milestone for San Diego, with the city council's decision expected to have far-reaching implications for the city's development and growth. The Midway Rising project is one of the most significant developments in San Diego's recent history, and its outcome will be closely watched by residents and business leaders alike.
Key points
- The project includes 2,000 affordable apartments, the largest public-land affordable-housing build in California history.
