SDSU President Gives Thanks to Community for Support of Mission Valley Site Plan

SDSU President de la Torre, on behalf of the university, shares her thanks with all who have given enthusiastic support of the SDSU Mission Valley site plan and vision.

By SDSU News Team

SDSU President Adela de la Torre is sharing the following message with students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends.





Dear Students, Faculty, Staff, Alumni and Friends,





I want to thank each of you for your faithful and enthusiastic support of our SDSU Mission Valley vision. Our plan provides the opportunity for SDSU to build a world class university research and innovation district, a community river park, housing and a new multi-use stadium.





We are excited to move forward in this process and will keep our SDSU and San Diego community informed along the way. SDSU will meet with the City of San Diego to discuss the next steps. We are prepared to begin negotiations immediately with the goal of finalizing the sale in 2019 and beginning construction in 2020.





The SDSU Mission Valley website will continue to be updated and will provide additional information about our planning process.





As we have for 121 years, we at SDSU remain steadfast in our commitment to the success of our students and to enhancing our positive impact on the entire San Diego region. As we move forward, that will continue to be our focus.





Again, thank you for your support.





Questions

Q: What happens now?

A: SDSU will be meeting with the City to discuss the next steps. The initiative requires the City and SDSU to negotiate the sale of the stadium site property. San Diego State University is incredibly grateful to the community for its outpouring of support for our SDSU Mission Valley plan. We are excited to move forward and will keep our SDSU and San Diego community informed along the way.

Q: How will the project plan be financed? What are public-private partnerships? A: SDSU Mission Valley will not rely on taxpayer dollars, student tuition or student fees. This is important to understand. The university will not raise student tuition or fees. The Mission Valley site plan is a self-supporting project that will be paid for by revenue generated by uses on the site.

Also, public-private partnerships (P3s) will be a significant source of funding for the campus expansion, and will be utilized for the housing, retail and campus innovation district buildings. These partnerships will allow SDSU to have access to new space without taking on additional financial risk inherent in the construction and operation of a building. Also, P3s would still generate property tax revenue because they will be shared spaces with industry.

SDSU will also utilize revenue bonds through the California State University system for the initial investment to prepare the land for development and construct the river park. This is not the same as taxpayer dollars. These bonds can only be used for revenue generating projects like this and will be paid back by revenue generated by the site itself. Also, every dollar invested in Mission Valley will return to our public university, our students and the City through the economic return of higher education. The dividends will come in the form of a better trained workforce and greater economic development. The project will also enable the university and its partners to help people expand their livelihoods, finding solutions through research and other growth across all sectors.

Q: How will the City of San Diego and SDSU engage in the negotiation process on a sale of the property, and what is the timeline?

A: SDSU will meet with the City of San Diego to discuss those steps. We are prepared to begin negotiations immediately with the goal of finalizing the sale in 2019 and beginning construction in 2020.





Q: How much affordable housing will be built on the site? Will the affordable housing be available for students, faculty and staff?

A: SDSU has committed to building 10 percent of the units on site as affordable housing, approximately 460 of the 4,600 units. Those who qualify based on income may be considered for the affordable units, including students and staff as appropriate. SDSU will work with the private partners who build the housing to ensure additional units are attainably priced for students, faculty and staff, as well as the community.





Q: How will SDSU Mission Valley benefit students, faculty, staff and the general community?

A: SDSU Mission Valley will provide SDSU with the opportunity to build a world class university research and innovation district just three trolley stops from the main campus. It will allow for SDSU to grow and serve more students, as well as increase its economic impact on the region. SDSU will also build a river park for all San Diegans to enjoy, along with housing, and a new multi-use stadium.





Q: Can a professional soccer team come to San Diego as a result of the voter decision?

A: SDSU plans to build a true multi-use stadium designed specifically for both soccer and football and would welcome a professional soccer partner.





We need a place to play and want to ensure Aztec Football is here for generations to come. As this stadium will likely be the only one built in San Diego for quite some time, we want to ensure it can be used for other large-scale events benefiting the entire San Diego region and its visitors.





Q: Is SDSU still committed to the CEQA process?

A: Yes. SDSU is required to complete the CEQA process, which includes formal public input, evaluation of potential impacts and identification of required mitigation, including traffic.





Q: What is the status of any environmental review for the Mission Valley plan?

A: SDSU plans to move expeditiously on the environmental review process. We plan to issue a Draft EIR in 2019. The formal public input process will include input from the community and the public agencies with jurisdiction. Our goal is to have the EIR certified in early 2020. We look forward to moving forward with openness and transparency, and in the spirit of community that we value as a university.