SAN DIEGO (KGTV)--San Diego State University has turned down participation with Soccer City investors to develop the Qualcomm Stadium site Tuesday afternoon.
The university said it reiterated its offer to purchase the land in Mission Valley and provide a "fair share of infrastructure costs" when San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer recently reached out but an agreement could not be reached with FS Investors, the backers of the project.
A statement released by SDSU spokesperson Gina Jacobs read:
"While SDSU’s current campus footprint of 238 acres is sufficient to support the University’s aspirations in the short term, we have long-articulated the need for more space for the advancement of the University over the next 50 years. The Mission Valley opportunity is a once-in-a-generation chance for SDSU to expand its research, tech transfer, collaboration space and other future needs, as we continue to ascend toward becoming a top 50 public research institution. With these concerns and motivations in mind, SDSU will not engage in any further discussions with FS Investors."
The university urged the city of San Diego to put out a request for proposals for the Mission Valley site.
Nick Stone, of FS Investors, issued a response later Tuesday, calling out current SDSU President Elliot Hirshman:
"It's another sad chapter in the saga of departing university leadership moving the goal posts. Unbelievably, they continue to walk away from people trying to help them. It's clear this decision will jeopardize Aztec football. One would have hoped an issue of this magnitude would warrant a meeting with the new administration, and yet the person making this decision will be at a new East Coast university safe from the aftermath his lack of leadership has created.
Despite this announcement, we stand ready to work with new leaders at SDSU to support the long-term goals of an institution we care about deeply."
Hirshman will be leaving the campus after this semester to take a presidency role at Stevenson University in Maryland.
RELATED LINKS:
- 'Soccer City' investment group publishes plan
- 'Soccer City' could net $2.8 billion annual impact to local economy
- SDSU, Mayor Faulconer meet about 'Soccer City'
Sandy Coronilla is a KGTV digital producer. Follow her @10NewsSandy
