Following the plan’s approval from voters in Tuesday’s election, San Diego State University says it will work to begin construction on SDSU West in 2020.
The SDSU West concept calls for the redevelopment of the city-owned SDCCU Stadium site in Mission Valley with a project that includes a new stadium, along with an outpost for the university. The stadium would provide a new home for SDSU Aztecs football, be designed to accommodate professional soccer, and have the ability to expand from 35,000 seats to 55,000 seats in the event that the NFL returns to San Diego.
The initiative was considered by San Diego voters in Tuesday’s election, appearing on the same ballot as SoccerCity–a competing proposal for the same site that included a new MLS stadium and surrounding development. Voters soundly rejected SoccerCity while giving majority approval to SDSU West, effectively allowing the city and university to enter into negotiations over a sale of the property. On Wednesday, SDSU president Adela de la Torre issued a statement thanking supporters while presenting a possible timeline for the project. According to her remarks, the university would work to finalize a sale next year before beginning SDSU West construction in 2020. More from Times of San Diego:
“I want to thank each of you for your faithful and enthusiastic support of our SDSU Mission Valley vision,” de la Torre said. “Our plan provides the opportunity for SDSU to build a world class university research and innovation district, a community river park, housing and a new multi-use stadium.”
She said university representatives would meet with city officials to discuss the next steps. “We are prepared to begin negotiations immediately with the goal of finalizing the sale in 2019 and beginning construction in 2020,” she said.
SDSU football currently plays at SDCCU Stadium, but the future of the aging facility has been uncertain for some time. Before leaving for Los Angeles in early 2017, the NFL’s Chargers spent years lobbying to replace SDCCU Stadium (formerly Qualcomm Stadium) with a new venue, but were unable to come up with a solution in San Diego. A lease extension for SDSU football to cover the 2019 and 2020 seasons was approved in August, but officials have been considering their long-term options for a new stadium. Completion of the SDSU West project would not only allow for a new stadium, but also trigger the demolition of the currently 51-year-old SDCCU Stadium. You can read more about the SDSU plan here.
Rendering courtesy Populous and San Diego State University.
RELATED STORIES: It’s Decision Day on New SDSU Aztecs Stadium; Vote on New SDSU Football Stadium Set for November; SDSU West Initiative Tops Competing SoccerCity in New Poll