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SDSU Drops Out Of Talks To Be Part Of Soccer City Development

An undated rendering of the proposed soccer stadium in Mission Valley is shown.
FS Investors
An undated rendering of the proposed soccer stadium in Mission Valley is shown.
SDSU Drops Out Of Talks To Be Part Of Soccer City Development
SDSU Drops Out Of Talks To Be Part Of Soccer City Development GUEST: Erik Anderson, reporter, KPBS News

Seem to some like a no-brainer. Developers proposed a new soccer Stadium that could double as a new stadium space for the San Diego state Aztecs. After several months of negotiations San Diego state is cannot negotiations with the most soccer city developers University is urging the city to open up QUALCOMM Stadium redevelopment site for new proposals. Eric Anderson has been following the story and he joins me now. Hello. What reasons do they get for free cannot negotiations. The main reason that the talked about yesterday and the statement that they issued was the fact that they just did not get their needs met in this proposal that was being offered by investors. When you look at their statement what you get clearly is that they would like to see a smaller stadium than what San Diego state University would like to have the football program. There is some difference of agreement on that and so they really could not come to terms with that. I thought it was interesting that for about the last month or so San Diego state had been talking with the Mayor's office and investors have been talking with the Mayor's office. San Diego state is asking the city to put out a request for new proposals for the Stadium site. Has is TSU come up with any proposals of their own In general terms they have. They released a document that was like a position paper that outlines seven months of the found that were important to their vision of the future involving San Diego state University and in holding the QUALCOMM Stadium site they wanted to purchase that land they want to build a football stadium and create some sort of a campus where they could have classrooms and student housing as a way to fix and their 238 acre campus. That is kind of what they were pushing for an asking for and it did not quite match up with the vision of the investment team had for that site. How did the developers of soccer city react. Said yesterday there were a little bit disappointed. There's some question about how this decision now impact the investors plan for redeveloping the Stadium this is a question that our product to Nick stone one of the investing partners in that effort last week when I chatted with him he told me it's not something that he wants but it's something he can move forward from. We really want to support the University and their objectives to secure a home for the football team. We do not know where they are going to play football in 2020. Do we have to have it looks no. What they're saying today if there's willing to work with the University. They're looking at the University and the leadership change that is going on that. There is an interim President in place now with Sally Rauch. Presumably there will be a new president a year or so down the road. What next on Saturday said they are willing to work with the next leadership team that comes in. Where does approval stand right now It is in process. Scott Sherman in the paper this morning said there is really no definitive changing with the processes. Soccer city folks FS investors have collected 100 thousand signatures. Should know by next week whether they have enough valid signatures to put the measure on the ballot. They will make a presentation possibly in June or early July. Council will if you like you believe there statements they have made will allow the measure to be put on the November ballot which is a Mayor -- they set up for the convention center expansion proposal. Can also be used for the investors and that voters will get a chance to weigh in on the investors plan and if it is a good one. It will likely move forward regardless of what the San Diego state University officials -- the vision that they have the site or what they were desire for that.. I remember Mayor Faulkner and many city leaders have already gotten behind the soccer city proposal. Obviously I think if they put together a development plan that meets some of those requirements that they are looking for and meets the city's need and is acceptable to the voters of San Diego they could have just as much of a chance of getting this approved the question that they ask Stephen make the decision to support the soccer city plan regardless of what the University wants to do. It will have the city councils okay. It will have the mayors of the will and the voters approval. This is all dependent on whether or not the voters approved it. They rejected it shuffles all the cards in terms of what is on the table. When will SDSU play soccer city happens. We have to find out a little bit later today. I will put the question to him to see the plan. There has been some talk that they might play for a year and Petco Park and then that is not really discussion on the long-term of where they might play if there is no stadium available to them. I have been speaking with Eric Anderson. Thank you. My pleasure.

SDSU Drops Out Of Talks To Be Part Of Soccer City Development
San Diego State University announced Tuesday that it has ended negotiations with the group behind the Soccer City development proposed for Mission Valley, and called on the city of San Diego to issue a request for other proposals for use of the Qualcomm Stadium property.

San Diego State University announced Tuesday that it has ended negotiations with the group behind the Soccer City development proposed for Mission Valley, and called on the city of San Diego to issue a request for other proposals for use of the Qualcomm Stadium property.

RELATED: SoccerCity Developers Reveal Specific Offers To SDSU On Mission Valley Development

SDSU officials previously expressed reservations about the Soccer City plan, which would include a joint soccer and college football stadium, a river park, housing and commercial space. The 166 acres became available when the Chargers announced their move to Los Angeles.

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La Jolla-based FS Investors created the plan for the development, which could go before voters in November.

Last month, the developer turned in signatures in support of the project to the county Registrar of Voters. If enough are valid, the City Council will have to schedule a public vote or approve the plan outright.

"For well over a year, San Diego State University has engaged in discussions with FS Investors on a possible partnership opportunity at the Mission Valley site," a school statement said. "Unfortunately, a fair, equitable deal that would provide opportunity for the long-term success of SDSU and Aztec football, as well as a transparent deal for the citizens of San Diego, could not be reached.

RELATED: SDSU Seeks To Buy, Lease Qualcomm Stadium Property

"Recently, Mayor Kevin Faulconer reached out to SDSU in an attempt to facilitate a deal on behalf of SDSU with FS Investors," the statement continued. "SDSU reiterated our offer to purchase land and to provide our fair share of infrastructure costs, but still no agreement could be reached."

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A spokesman for FS Investors could not be immediately reached for comment.

On Monday, California State University Chancellor Timothy White appointed longtime SDSU executive Sally Roush, who had retired four years ago, as interim president beginning July 1.

Some observers suggested that the experienced Roush could bring a different approach to the talks with FS Investors. However, school spokeswoman Gina Jacobs told City News Service that Roush "was fully briefed and agrees with this approach."

SDSU officials have long eyed the Mission Valley property for expansion in order to handle future growth. In its statement, the site is described as "a once-in-a-generation chance for SDSU to expand its research, tech transfer, collaboration space and other future needs."

In March, SDSU presented Faulconer with a wish list that included 35 acres for campus expansion and an additional dozen acres for a stadium for the football team.

While Soccer City plans included a home for Aztec football, SDSU athletics officials considered the venue too small and contended that making it bigger in the future would not be financially feasible.

City officials plan to shutter Qualcomm Stadium after the 2018 football season. SDSU would probably play at Petco Park the following season.