San Diego approves $4.2B Midway housing-arena plan

San Diego’s City Council approved the $4.2 billion Midway Rising redevelopment, a 105-year agreement to transform the city-owned Sports Arena site. Led by Stan Kroenke, the project includes a 16,000-seat arena, 4,224 homes—about 2,000 designated as affordable—retail space, a 15-acre park and major infrastructure improvements. The city will forgo substantial lease payments, while an independent budget estimate projects $38.1 million to $68.5 million in revenue over the deal’s lifetime, excluding inflation. Supporters say the development will expand affordable housing and revitalize the district; opponents raised concerns about financing, traffic and infrastructure, environmental hazards including a landfill beneath the site, and protections for the promised affordable units.