Iconic California sports arena set for demolition to make way for $4B mega-development, with 4K homes, and 14 acres of parks
It’s the final buzzer for an iconic Southern California sports arena.San Diego’s aging Pechanga Arena is officially headed for the wrecking ball after city leaders gave the green light to a massive $4 billion redevelopment that will transform the 60-year-old entertainment landmark and its sprawling parking lots into a bustling new mixed-use neighborhood.The ambitious “Midway Rising” project will bring more than 4,200 homes, a shiny new 16,000 seat arena, shopping, restaurants and roughly 14.5 acres of parks and public spaces to the 49-acre site in the city’s Midway District.
The biggest news, opinion and culture shaping California right now.Please provide a valid email.
By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story The San Diego City Council voted 8-0 Monday to approve the sweeping overhaul, reportedly following more than six hours of debate and public comment, clearing a major hurdle for the long-awaited redevelopment effort.The landmark venue will be replaced by a modern entertainment complex, which is expected to cost $526.4 million, with developers footing the bill rather than city taxpayers.
Under the plan, Pechanga Arena will remain open while construction gets underway on its replacement, with demolition coming only after the new facility is built.The makeover isn’t just about bringing in glitzy new attractions.Of the 4,250 planned homes, 2,000 will be reserved as subsidized affordable housing for lower-income renters — a staggering commitment that also includes at least 200 permanent supportive housing units.“In this high-cost environment where people are struggling to make ends meet, seeing this public property utilized to build more homes that people can afford sends a strong message about our focus on affordability and reducing the cost of living in San Diego,” Mayor Todd Gloria said following the milestone vote, praising the ambitious b...