Measure E Passes, Paving Way for New Sports Arena

On Tuesday roughly 57% majority of San Diegans voted yes on Measure E, which reverses a previous measure limiting the height of buildings in the Midway District to 30 feet.

What does this mean?

It’s essentially an initial step in the process to bring a modern sports facility to replace Pechanga Arena, known over the decades as the Sports Arena, along with redevelopment to the area. Could it also be a way to bring another major professional sports team to San Diego? Only time will tell.

It was announced in August that the development team Brookfield Housing and ASM Global had been chosen to build the new arena that would also feature housing, retail, and entertainment spaces.

(Photo:©Brookfield Properties/Ground Photo)

(Photo:©Brookfield Properties/Overview Photo)

The Sports Arena has been home to the San Diego Rockets (1967-1971), the San Diego Clippers (1978-1984), and the San Diego Gulls (1966-74, 1990-2006, 2015-present), among other professional and minor league sports teams. More recently, it’s hosted the San Diego Seals lacrosse team (2018-present), which is owned by multi-billionaire Joe Tsai. Keep in mind Tsai is also majority owner of the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets and resides locally in La Jolla.

The Sports Arena opened in 1966 at a height of well above 30 feet. It wasn’t until 1972 that San Diego residents passed the measure which implemented the 30-foot coastal height restriction. The new measure nixes that, and sets the stage for the redevelopment of the Midway District.