They Really Want Midway Rising to Happen

by Nadia Lathan / Voice of San Diego / August 14, 2026

A new bill related to San Diego’s Midway Rising project was set in motion Thursday, August 13, as lawmakers began a process to gut and amend an unrelated bill that would potentially give broader environmental exemptions for the planned dual sports arena and housing complex.

New bill language isn’t available yet, but it’s expected to appear next week ahead of an Assembly Natural Resources Committee meeting where it’ll be taken up in a public hearing. State Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson is expected to be the primary author and several San Diego delegates will be co-authors.

Project leaders for Midway Rising joined Weber Pierson at a town hall earlier this week to field questions and comments from an at times contentious crowd. About 150 people showed up at the Pechanga Arena. Many opposed the construction of Midway Rising, including former San Diego Assemblymember Lori Saldaña, who shared concerns about infrastructure and environmental damage.

Shortly after in Sacramento, lawmakers also advanced Senate Bill 958, a bill which would rule out building height alone from being considered a significant environmental impact. When asked about the legislation and event this week, Weber Pierson said SB 958 is “not a Midway Rising bill,” and emphasized that the proposal would apply to other projects statewide if they meet the bill’s narrow financing and construction requirements. It awaits a final floor vote in the Assembly.