Today’s newsletter is presented by Kaiser Permanente.
Hello, Point Loma and Ocean Beach!
It’s been a while since we talked about Midway Rising.
By the looks of the Sports Arena area, it may seem like no progress has been made on the project, but legislation is currently moving forward to insulate it from further legal issues. If you’re unfamiliar with the project, Midway Rising is a redevelopment of a portion of the Midway District including Pechanga Arena. It will contain a new 16,000 seat arena and the surrounding area, which would include over 4,200 units and retail space.
Despite many hurdles, city leaders and the project developers have been sure to keep the wheels turning on the project. This past Sunday, State Senator Akilah Weber Pierson organized a public forum giving attendees a chance to raise questions and concerns about the project.
The usual critiques of Midway Rising were brought up including the development exceeding the 30-foot height limit and the environmental impacts. A chief environmental concern is the strength of the ground below. Opponents say the site where Midway Rising is being built is a former estuary with shallow groundwater with potential for liquefaction. Liquefaction is when water logged sediments at or near the surface become loose during an earthquake.
However, developers say that the project has gone through extensive environmental review, including 1,000 pages of environmental analysis. Senator Weber Pierson also introduced Senate Bill 958 that could limit the California Environmental Quality Act’s (CEQA) ability to challenge projects that threaten the 30-foot height limit. California’s legislative session ends Aug. 31, and this particular bill is awaiting a second chamber vote, and will then need the governor’s signature.
The hope for developers is to still break ground as soon as next year. This proposed legislation would essentially insulate the project from more legal hurdles.
While the project has some great potential, there are many factors that have led to major disagreement among Peninsula locals. The water table is one drawback, but also the immense traffic that would back up the I-8. It’s been a massive uphill battle, but all signs point to the project eventually being built, for better or worse.
What do you think?
Steve Anderson
Peninsula Beacon newsletter host
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