From Gulls games to country concerts, from Kobey’s Swap Meets to monster trucks; from Disney on Ice to Justin Timberlake; if you live in San Diego, chances are you have been to the Sports Arena (now known as Pechanga Arena). You may also know that this particular San Diego staple and the surrounding area is in dire need of a renovation. Well, it seems as though the San Diego City Council agrees.

On Oct. 4, 2021, the City of San Diego issued a Notice of Availability to lease 48.5-acres of surplus property located at the San Diego Sports Arena site in the Midway District. On Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2022, the San Diego City Council formally selected the Midway Rising team to pursue redevelopment of the San Diego Sports Arena site. Midway Rising is comprised of affordable housing developer Chelsea Investment Corporation, sports venue developer and operator Legends and market-rate housing developer Zephyr.

The Master Plan: Midway Rising’s proposal is consistent with the Midway-Pacific Highway Community Plan and includes:

• 4,250 housing units
  • 2,000+ affordable units (80% Area Median Income and below)
  • 2,250 market-rate units
  • Midway Rising received “first priority” status for proposing to build the highest total number of affordable housing units of any redevelopment team.
• A modern, 16,000-seat sports arena
• A multi-acre central urban park
• A mixed-use entertainment, arts and cultural district
• Transit-Oriented

As of today, the Midway Rising team is in its environmental review period. On Monday, December 18, 2023, the City of San Diego published a Notice of Preparation, which invites the community to submit comments regarding the scope and analysis of an upcoming Environmental Impact Report that will be prepared in 2024. Following this exclusive negotiation period, the City Council may consider a long-term lease with Midway Rising, with potential construction breaking ground in 2025.