The Mission Valley Planning Group is taking more time to decide if it will support or oppose the Soccer City development project.
La Jolla-based FS Investors wants to transform the Qualcomm Stadium site and build housing, a park, a soccer stadium and commercial space. The planning group set up a subcommittee to delve into the details. FS Investors hopes to make its pitch to the public with a November ballot measure in the balance.
RELATED: ‘Soccer City’ Economic Impact Could Be Huge
"Explaining what we're proposing, why we're proposing it, what the river park is going to look like. We're not using a penny of the taxpayer's money. That message is actually really important for people to understand so that they can make an informed vote come November 2017," said Nick Stone of FS Investors.
The panel voted to review the plan further. And it passed a motion arguing a ballot measure takes the decision out of their hands.
Stone wasn't surprised.
"There's a group of 15 people that sit on this board that are concerned about their role in the process. But ultimately it's the people's asset, it's the people's city and we're going to all of those people. We're getting outside of the realm of insider politics that you just saw and actually going to the people and saying do you like this idea or not," Stone said.
Stone hopes to have enough valid petition signatures by June to present the idea to the city council. The city can then put the measure on the November ballot. He says that gives Major League Soccer enough time to award San Diego an expansion franchise.
