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East County News Service
June 19, 2017 (San Diego) - Today, the San Diego City Council voted 5-4 to put FS Investors' plan for a new soccer stadium and home for San Diego State football in Mission Valley on the 2018 ballot next November, the San Diego Union Tribune reports.
The project, "SoccerCity," prompted a crowd of supporters and protesters at the City Council chambers downtown and attracted celebrities in the soccer world, such as former U.S. Men's National Team star Landon Donovan, who was at the meeting handing out shirts to supporters.
Despite the appearance on the ballot, it will appear one year later than supporters wanted, unless there is a special election, which can only be held if five council members voice their support before August.
"SoccerCity" is a $4 billion plan to revamp Qualcomm Stadium into a soccer stadium, housing, retail and river park area.
Major League Soccer is promising four new soccer franchises to select cities. Supporters worry that the delay could cause them to reconsider San Diego's candidacy.
The council, however, felt that delaying the vote for a year includes time to work with San Diego State and fit Aztecs football into the plan somehow.
SDSU released this statement about the council's ruling today:
“We appreciate the support from the San Diego State University alumni and community members who spoke today at City Council on behalf of a fair and open process. We look forward to working with the City and other key stakeholders to evaluate the best use for the Mission Valley property with the goal of securing a future home for Aztec football and growing the university’s academic and research endeavors, which benefit all of San Diego. SDSU is a growing and thriving institution of higher education that has been part of San Diego for 120 years and we remain committed to working collaboratively with the community for generations to come.”
"Although I have been an advocate for economic development, local quality jobs and the idea of having a major sports team in our city, I want to take the necessary measures to address the concerns brought to us by our city attorney and explore all of the viable options in the redevelopment of Qualcomm Stadium," Council President Myrtle Cole said.
Two council Republicans, Scott Sherman and Chris Cate, expressed support for a special election, saying it was unfair to voters and supporters, but were overruled.
San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer expressed his disappointment with the decision. “The council’s decision significantly jeopardizes our chance to bring Major League Soccer to San Diego and create a river park at no cost to taxpayers,” Faulconer said. “Regardless of whether they personally supported or opposed Soccer City, council members should have given San Diegans the chance to vote when it mattered the most. Despite the council’s delay, I will keep working for the park space, housing and economic benefits in the SoccerCity plan.”
Public Land, Public Vote, an opposition group, praised the council. “This decision gives the city time to move forward with an open and transparent process for soliciting competing proposals,” the coalition said in a statement. “While we are thrilled with today’s victory, in many ways, it is only the beginning. We will now be taking our case to all of the residents of San Diego, and will be working to demonstrate our grave concerns with the SoccerCity initiative to city voters over the next several months.”
Steve Altman with FS Investors said opponents do not know how dire a vote this year is needed. “If San Diego votes this year, the outcome of whether we get an MLS team is in our collective control,” he said. “In business, it is a terrible strategy to bet your company’s success solely on your competitors failing.”
Opponents say the development would increase traffic around the Qualcomm Stadium area and also claim that this is a front for FS Investors to secure taxpayer-owned land.
"FS has structured this initiative to instantly reap a massive windfall of valuable development rights worth hundreds of millions of dollars," said Joe LaCava, spokesman for Public Land, Public Vote. "It's a windfall for FS that would be the largest transfer of taxpayer wealth in San Diego history."
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