Midway Rising Project moves forward

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- The San Diego Planning Board has approved the Midway Rising project, a major redevelopment plan for the Midway District, making it one step closer to reality.

The Midway Rising project, which promises a new 16,000-seat arena and 4,200 housing units, aims to revitalize the Midway District, which has seen better days since the San Diego sports arena was built in 1965. The project includes significant financial backing from investors like billionaire Stan Kroenke, owner of the Los Angeles Rams and SoFi Stadium.

The Midway District, originally transformed from World War II military housing into an entertainment hub, is set for another transformation with the Midway Rising project. The area, once bustling with professional sports and big-name entertainers like Elvis, has seen better days over the past 60 years.

Almost half of the 4,200 housing units in the Midway Rising project will be designated as affordable, ensuring long-term affordability.

Community concerns have been raised regarding increased traffic and limited parking due to the addition of over 4,000 apartments, restaurants, and shops. The area is considered a transit zone, which further complicates parking availability for residents and visitors.

Despite community concerns about traffic and parking, city leaders believe the benefits of the Midway Rising project will outweigh the negatives. The unanimous vote by the planning board signifies strong support for the redevelopment plan, which promises to rejuvenate the Midway District and enhance San Diego's entertainment offerings.

The next hurdle is the approval of the Land Use and Housing Committee, under the city council, which is expected to happen in the next month or so.

Then, the full city council will vote by the end of this year, and if that is approved, construction will begin in 2026.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KSWB. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KSWB staff before being published.