Date Set for Hearing on SDSU Activities Center

The proposal for a student activities center at San Diego State University will be before a judge for the second time April 5 as an area homeowners’ association continues its suit. Superior Court Judge Ronald Johnson set the date Thursday.

The Alvarado Estates homeowners’ group contends that the arena, which would be built where Aztec Bowl now stands on campus, will impact their neighborhood. The group blocked plans for the arena last spring, when they first took the matter to court and Johnson ordered a supplemental environmental impact report (SEIR).

The SEIR was completed, then unanimously approved at a January meeting of the California State University Board of Trustees. Despite the new report, the homeowners’ group still contends that traffic and noise levels will be higher than SDSU claims in the SEIR.

“The neighborhood is concerned with traffic and parking,” said Craig Courter, an attorney representing the association. “If the university shows concern over and above the SEIR, the neighborhood would be willing to drop the lawsuit.”

SDSU Athletic Director Fred Miller, though, said the university’s planning has been thorough and that he doesn’t foresee any problems.

“We’ve done the right things,” Miller said. “We’re sensitive to our neighbors’ needs. They have some fears that are ill-founded, created by a couple of malcontents.”

If Johnson rules in favor of SDSU, Miller said, he expects groundbreaking for the arena to take place sometime next fall.