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Top construction unions join HomeTownSD in bringing career-building jobs, living wages and affordable housing through its visionary redevelopment plan for San Diego’s Midway District

SAN DIEGO – The San Diego County Building Construction and Trades Council threw its support behind the HomeTownSD proposal to redevelop the Sports Arena property into a destination neighborhood – a project that will build careers, provide livable wages, and significantly increase affordable housing in San Diego. The Council and its 22 members represent 30,000 workers in the region.

With the most affordable housing of the five proposals submitted to the city, HomeTownSD is designed with an eye towards working families. It includes a 10,000 square foot childcare center, job training and other programs to catalyze opportunities for residents. HomeTownSD will be a job generator and drive economic growth for generations.

“HomeTownSD is a blueprint for how to build affordable housing and create thousands of high-quality jobs for workers in our region,” said Carol Kim, business manager for the Council. “The HomeTownSD team has done what most developers said was impossible – build more than 2000 affordable and middle-income apartment homes – over 62% of the project – while enabling construction tradespeople to build their careers and provide for their families. We are proud to endorse this project and look forward to bringing this transformative community to life for working San Diegans.”

“Constructing affordable and middle-income housing at scale while investing in strong wages and benefits for local workers is a precedent setting commitment – and one we are proud to make,” said Sarah Kruer Jager, project lead for HomeTownSD and Partner Monarch Group. “In partnership with the Council, we will deliver a community that will expand affordable housing, build local careers and drive our economy – proving that together, San Diegans can do big things.”

“HometownSD delivers the two things working families in San Diego need most – thousands of homes they can afford and jobs with good pay and strong benefits,” said Valentine R. Macedo, Business Manager and Secretary-Treasurer of Laborers International Union of North America Local 89. “This project is proof that when you have a local development team that is committed to equity – you can create a community where the workers who build it and sustain it can afford to live there. We are proud to endorse this project and look forward to working with the HomeTownSD team to transform the Sports Arena site for San Diegans.”

“As someone who has developed affordable projects across the state, it’s rare for a market-rate developer to commit to this much affordable housing and also invest so significantly in workers,” said Linda Mandolini, President and CEO, Eden Housing. “We are proud of this commitment and our partnership with the Council. Together we will provide thousands of jobs and homes for tens of thousands of San Diegans over the lifetime of the project.”

The HomeTownSD partnership, a women-led development team with deep San Diego roots, is proposing a visionary plan to transform the Sports Arena property into a destination neighborhood with a world class arena and housing for all.

HomeTownSD has the most affordable homes of the five plans submitted to the city. It plans 3,250 apartment homes with more than 62% serving middle- and low-income San Diego families – far exceeding the 25% affordable housing rate required under the Surplus Lands Act. Market rate homes make up the balance.

Providing housing options will strengthen the HomeTownSD community as it becomes home over time for tens of thousands of individuals and families who live, work and learn in San Diego.

HomeTownSD also proposes a new 10,000-seat sports and entertainment arena. Complimenting the arena will be over 300,000 square feet of commercial space that grows local entrepreneurs and small businesses. A multi-use building designed for office space and a 300-key hotel will support the arena’s events and employees.

An expansive public park will sit at the heart of the neighborhood, providing lush open space, surrounded by bike paths and local restaurants and businesses. An outdoor, urban marketplace provides opportunities for diverse local entrepreneurs and serves as a draw to both residents and visitors alike.

HomeTownSD is one of five development teams under consideration by the City of San Diego. A decision on which proposals will move forward is expected in the spring.