Special Statute Aims to Expedite Approval of Massive Midway Rising Project

Proposed legislation would limit opponents' ability to challenge the development on environmental grounds

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:33pm

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A bill introduced in the California state legislature at the request of San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria seeks to insulate the Midway Rising mega-project from legal challenges linked to the state's environmental law. If signed into law, SB 958 would curtail opponents' ability to sue to block the project on environmental grounds, essentially expediting approval of any element or activity contemplated in the Midway Rising Specific Plan.

Why it matters

The Midway Rising project, a massive mixed-use development proposed for the city's sports arena site, has faced legal hurdles due to a court ruling that reinstated a 30-foot height limit in the area. This proposed legislation is part of the city's strategy to move the project forward, despite these challenges.

The details

SB 958, authored by state Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson, D-La Mesa, would use the Midway Rising Specific Plan as the framework to provide a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption for the project. This would substantially narrow what project opponents could contest in court, making legal challenges based on perceived deficiencies in the environmental analysis off-limits. The bill's reliance on the specific plan and its associated environmental analysis means the legislation is not an end run around the public safeguards built into the state environment law, according to Mayor Gloria.

  • SB 958 was introduced in the state Legislature in February 2026 and is currently in the Senate Rules Committee, awaiting assignment to a policy committee for initial consideration.
  • San Diego's Land Use and Housing Committee is slated to consider the proposed real estate deal with the Midway Rising development team on May 14, 2026.
  • City Council could consider the full package, including the land-use documents and a proposed ground lease, in the coming months.

The players

Todd Gloria

The mayor of San Diego, who requested the introduction of SB 958 to help expedite the Midway Rising project.

Akilah Weber Pierson

A state senator representing La Mesa, who authored SB 958 at the request of Mayor Gloria's office.

Midway Rising

The development team selected by the San Diego City Council in 2022 to lease and redevelop the city's real estate at the sports arena site. The team is composed of Zephyr, Chelsea Investment Corp., and Legends, with the Kroenke Group as the lead investor.

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What they’re saying

“We've long seen projects in this town be discussed ad nauseam and never come to fruition. My objective is to make sure that that is not the case with this particular redevelopment.”

— Todd Gloria, Mayor of San Diego

“Midway Rising has completed a rigorous environmental review with binding community improvements that will be implemented regardless of any legislation, and we are optimistic the project will come before the City Council in the coming months.”

— Jeff Meyer, Spokesperson for Midway Rising

What’s next

The proposed legislation, SB 958, must still go through the legislative process in the California state Senate and Assembly before potentially being signed into law by the governor. The San Diego City Council is also expected to consider the Midway Rising project and associated land-use documents in the coming months.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation highlights the city's determination to move the Midway Rising project forward, despite legal challenges related to environmental regulations. The bill aims to expedite the approval process by limiting the grounds on which opponents can challenge the project in court, though it remains to be seen whether the legislature will ultimately grant such an exemption.