The effort to redevelop Qualcomm Stadium and lure Major League Soccer to San Diego is heading for a San Diego City Council vote.
The city clerk's certification of more than 100,000 petition signatures moved the project squarely into the hands of San Diego city officials.
La Jolla-based FS Investors wants to build homes, commercial space, a river park and a multisport stadium on the 166-acre Qualcomm Stadium site. The project would be contingent on the developers landing a Major League Soccer franchise.
SoccerCity backers hope the city council adds the measure to a special November ballot. Mayor Kevin Faulconer and Councilman Scott Sherman support the idea.
Developers want the city to give voters a say.
"I'm very hopeful that when we get through it, people will have looked at it, thought more calmly about it and been a little less in the middle of all the drama and said, 'I may not like the project, but I do really care about the ability of the citizens to express their constitutional right to vote. And I'm going to support that,'" said Nick Stone of FS Investors on KPBS Midday Edition
Faulconer wants a special election for a convention center expansion plan. If he gets approval from the City Council, the SoccerCity project could be easily added to that ballot.
"It's not that hard. You don't have to love the project. I understand that some people won't. Everybody loves their right to vote," Stone said. "We should make sure the people get to do."
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Stone said delaying the vote until next year would kill the project because it effectively eliminates a chance land a soccer franchise. FS Investors will drop its development plan if there is no MLS team.
The City Council could get the issue next month.
