SoccerCity group moves forward despite City Council’s special election decision
SAN DIEGO (KUSI) — The group behind the SoccerCity project is continuing to plead their case to voters, despite the City Council’s vote Monday to reject Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s proposed plan to hold a special election in November.
On an 8-1 vote Tuesday, the San Diego City Council approved Mayor Faulconer’s budget but did not approve the $5 million set aside for a special election in November, which would have likely included a public vote on a planned redevelopment of Qualcomm Stadium.
Related Link: SoccerCity plan gains signatures as opposition grows
Nick Stone, the project manager for Goal SD, the group behind SoccerCity, said he was disappointed, but anticipated moving forward to try and get this proposal to voters.
We, of course, are disappointed with this decision because it ignores the will of the 112,000 San Diegans who signed our petition and who desperately want the opportunity to vote on SoccerCity this year when it matters.However, given the mayor’s announced veto, we look forward to giving the city council an opportunity to make a decision that matters on June 19th.
We will continue to forcefully make the case about how important it is that the council give San Diegans the ability to vote on a plan that provides so many public benefits while costing taxpayers nothing.
Regardless of outcome, huge thank you to the overwhelming support that showed up today, spoke, and stayed to the end.
— SoccerCity SD (@SoccerCitySD) June 6, 2017
The group will continue a series of open houses to allow residents to learn more about the initiative to bring a Major League Soccer stadium and team to San Diego.
Residents are encouraged to attend one of five open house meetings where they can learn about the plan, ask questions and give input on the development of a multi-use recreational and retail space, according to Goal SD. The meetings will take place from June 5 to June 13.
“This is an opportunity for the public to learn first-hand about the details of the SoccerCity proposal to redevelop the Qualcomm Stadium site,” Project Manager Nick Stone said. “We’re looking forward to sharing the plan with the public and hearing their thoughts.”
Related Link: SDSU announces end of discussions with FS Investors regarding SoccerCity
The developers have proposed building a 60-acre park along the San Diego River, replacing aging Qualcomm Stadium with a smaller facility that would host soccer and college football games, along with housing, office and commercial buildings. The group has applied for a Major League Soccer expansion franchise.
The future of the SoccerCity is unclear now that the council has rejected a special election. Mayor Kevin Faulconer does have the ability to use his veto power to overturn the City Council’s decision and allocate the $5 million for a vote in November. Without it, the future of the project depends on a City Council vote on June 19 to either send the SoccerCity initiative to a vote next year or approve it outright.
Related Link: New TV ad for SoccerCity aims to sell development proposal to voters, city council
The group will hold informational open houses on the following dates:
June 5, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Town and Country Resort
500 Hotel Circle, North / San Diego, CA 92108
(validated parking off of Fashion Valley Road)
June 6, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation
404 Euclid Ave.,
San Diego, CA 92114
June 8, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Caesar Chavez Continuing Education Center
1901 Main St.,
San Diego, CA 92113
June 12, 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Carmel Mountain Ranch / Sabre Springs Recreation Center
10152 Rancho Carmel Dr.,
San Diego, CA 92128
June 13, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
University City Library
4155 Governor Dr.,
San Diego, CA 92122
For full SoccerCity coverage click here.
