Senator Weber Pierson Announces Legislation to Help Move Midway Rising Forward
SACRAMENTO, CA — Today, Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D. (D-San Diego) announced Senate Bill 344, legislation intended to provide a path for the Midway Rising redevelopment project to move forward once the City of San Diego certifies the project’s Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
Following a community conversation hosted by Senator Weber Pierson about Midway Rising’s proposal to redevelop the Sports Arena area in the Midway District, Senator Weber Pierson heard directly from San Diegans about their hopes for the project, its potential benefits, and the issues they believe should be thoughtfully considered. The conversation highlighted the need for affordable housing, permanent jobs, and the revitalization of the Midway District.
Statement from Senator Akilah Weber Pierson:
“Earlier this month, I hosted a community conversation about the Midway Rising’s proposal to redevelop the Sports Arena area where Pechanga Arena currently sits. I heard directly from San Diegans about what they hope to see from this project, the questions they have, and the concerns they want addressed. We heard a range of perspectives, including strong support for how this project could boost local businesses and create jobs, as well as thoughtful concerns regarding increased traffic and density. I appreciated the opportunity to have an open and honest conversation about a development that could have a lasting impact on San Diego.
What also came through clearly was the potential to transform an underutilized area into a destination where people can live, work, shop, dine and enjoy entertainment and community spaces. Midway Rising can bring quality and affordable housing, permanent jobs, new businesses, and new experiences, while generating economic activity and investment in the Midway District. At a time when San Diego is facing an affordable housing crisis, we need to think boldly about how we use the land and resources we have to meet the needs of a growing region.
After hearing from the community and listening to the answers from the Midway Rising development team, I was encouraged by what I heard. The City of San Diego must still review and certify the project’s EIR, demonstrating that the project’s developers have thoughtfully planned to address the issues in the area. Once that CEQA process is completed, this project will have taken the necessary steps to move forward. This mixed-use project will deliver thousands of much-needed affordable housing units, vibrant park spaces, childcare partnerships with the YMCA, and a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a hospital to provide on-site healthcare services for both future residents and workers at Midway Rising.
This is why I’ve introduced SB 344. For far too long, San Diegans have envisioned what this part of our city could become. The community conversation reinforced for me that there is a real opportunity to turn that vision into reality and create a place that families, workers, businesses and visitors can enjoy for generations to come. With Midway Rising planning to break ground in 2027, there is a narrow window to keep this project on track.
SB 344 will provide a path for Midway Rising to move forward once the City of San Diego certifies its EIR. This project can bring much-needed affordable housing and permanent jobs, along with new businesses, community spaces and economic opportunity. I believe now is the time to turn years of planning into progress and bring a new chapter of the Midway District to life.”
SB 344 is expected to be in print in the coming days.
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Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D. represents California's 39th Senate District, which includes portions of San Diego County, the cities of Coronado, El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove, as well as portions of the City of San Diego. Senator Weber Pierson is a board-certified OB/GYN and serves as the chair of the Senate Health Committee.