ASM Global-HomeTownSD lift to San Diego arena

Article posted by Coliseum, August 4^th, 2022

Image: HomeTownSD

With three development teams still in the running to land approval for a new San Diego arena (US), ASM Global is back in the game after announcing a new partnership with the HomeTownSD effort.

‘Arena Digest’ stated that ASM Global, which currently manages the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California, has been deeply involved in efforts to land rights to a new San Diego arena, first partnering with the real estate giant Brookfield that was initially approved by the City, only to be rejected by the State as it lacked sufficient affordable housing. That partnership stood when bids were reopened, only to be rejected when the field trimmed to three finalists.

Los Angeles (US)-based ASM Global is the world’s leading producer of entertainment experiences. It is the global leader in venue and event strategy and management – delivering locally tailored solutions and cutting-edge technologies to achieve maximum results for venue owners.

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HomeTownSD tackles the housing affordability crisis in San Diego with a transformative destination built in an equitable, inclusive and sustainable way.

The Pechanga Arena (formerly known as the San Diego Sports Arena) is an indoor arena in San Diego, California (US). The arena seats 12,000 for indoor football, 12,920 for ice hockey and box lacrosse, 14,500 for basketball and tennis, 5,450 for amphitheater concerts and stage shows, 8,900-14,800 for arena concerts, 13,000 for ice shows and the circus, and 16,100 for boxing and mixed martial arts.

‘Arena Digest’ further stated that now ASM Global has joined forces with HomeTownSD, who along with Midway Rising and Midway Village+ remains in contention to land rights to redevelop the 48-acre Pechanga Arena site. Not a surprise: Every heavyweight in the venue world is participating in one of the three groups.

An entertainment district has been planned in the Midway area that encompasses a new sports arena, thousands of housing units, park space, and retail businesses.

The busy Midway District in San Diego, California, is a shopping hub with fashion chains and big-box retailers at Loma Square plaza and the Sports Arena Shopping Center, plus Kobey’s Swap Meet, a weekend outdoor flea market. Big concerts and minor league sporting events take place at the 16,100-capacity Pechanga Arena, while SOMA San Diego hosts alternative acts. Fast-food spots are scattered around the district, as well as a couple of craft brewery taprooms.

Midway Village+ proposes a significant number of new affordable housing units – 1,610 in total. When one includes the homes for the middle-income families, the affordable and middle-income numbers increase to 2,208 units, or more than half of the 4,210 new homes called for by Midway Village+.

Stated Ron Bension, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), ASM Global, via press release, “We evaluated the three proposals in contention and determined HomeTownSD to be the most visionary and viable arena plan and their team the most capable of delivering. It is not easy to finance a world-class arena and ensure its continued operation over the long term. HomeTownSD has crafted a plan that prioritizes financial viability as well as market and community fit -all essential to successfully turning arena plans into reality.”

Said Chuck Steedman, longtime ASM Global Executive Vice-President of Strategy and Development serving as HomeTownSD consultant, via press release, “With the addition of ASM Global, HomeTownSD is the only team with a partner who has operated, capitalized, developed, and delivered multiple successful world-class arenas. Other teams simply have never done this.”

Also part of the HomeTownSD team: Lead arena developer and local firm JMI Sports, which developed two local notable sports and entertainment venues – the 42,445-capacity Petco Park, home of the Major League Baseball (MLB) team San Diego Padres, and the 35,000-capacity Snapdragon Stadium, opening this Fall as home to the San Diego State University football.

Said Erik Judson, CEO, JMI Sports, via press release, “We are thrilled to bring ASM Global on board. They bring unparalleled venue management and event production experience – with proven success in the San Diego market. We are proud to be the only team to secure an arena operating and investment partner of this caliber.”

The HomeTownSD bid calls for a new 10,000-capacity sports and entertainment arena, over 300,000 square feet of commercial space geared toward local entrepreneurs and small businesses, a multiuse building designed for office space, and a 300-key hotel. Overall, the plan, as it stands, is planned to contain 3,250 residential units, with 1,726 of those units reserved for affordable housing (as defined by those making 80 percent or less of the area median income). That’s second to the Midway Rising bid, which calls for 2,000 affordable housing units out of a total of 4,000 units. The Midway Rising bid also calls for a larger 15,000-capacity arena designed by Safdie Rabines Architecture.

Consultants are now evaluating the three proposals. A decision is expected from the San Diego City Council in December.

A Stunning Gateway to the Community

A new, world-class, 10,000-seat arena;
Office space and hotel to support local teams and businesses;
An urban marketplace for diverse local entrepreneurs; and
A vibrant and exciting entertainment district will be a stunning gateway to the HomeTownSD community.

‘HomeTownSD’ stated that HomeTownSD brings San Diego’s arena into the 21^st century to serve its home teams, and an array of elite music and entertainment acts. This modern, flexible arena could host 8,000 to 10,000 hockey and lacrosse fans, 10,000 concert goers and expand to 12,500-person capacity for special events. Adjacent to the arena, a marquee office and hotel building featuring approximately 300 rooms will support the arena’s events and employees. Built sustainably, this marquee building will display lush, green terraces with green walls, patios and a new urban tree canopy, inviting the community in to experience the state-of-the-art arena, food hall, restaurants, and shopping.

‘HomeTownSD’ further stated that the HomeTownSD community and surrounding neighborhood will be supported by a myriad of services including over 300,000 square feet of restaurants, a food pavilion, retail, restaurants, and multiuse open-air venue. The multiuse venue has been designed to house a reimagined Kobey’s Swap Meet.

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