Local
California clears environmental hurdles for San Diego arena redevelopment
Two signed bills streamline review for Midway Rising, a proposed 16,000-seat arena and 4,254-home development that still requires City Council approval.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bills 344 and 958 to ease environmental-review barriers for San Diego's proposed Midway Rising redevelopment, the Los Angeles Times reported October 1. The plan would replace Pechanga Arena with a 16,000-seat venue and add 4,254 homes, including up to 2,000 affordable units, plus commercial and public space.
What it means locally
SB 344 deems the Midway Rising project compliant with the California Environmental Quality Act, while SB 958 provides that added building height and related noise, shadows or wildlife effects are not significant environmental impacts when specified conditions are met. The governor's office described the measures as part of a housing package intended to accelerate the former Sports Arena site redevelopment. Supporters cite housing, jobs and community investment; critics call the legislation a special exemption and have raised concerns about public input, sea-level rise and flooding. The San Diego City Council still must approve the project. The accompanying photograph shows the San Diego Sports Arena in November 2007 and is archival; it does not depict the proposed redevelopment.
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