Groundbreaking Ceremony Kick-Starts Construction Effort on San Diego State University’s Mission Valley Site, New Aztec Stadium

August 21, 2020

Groundbreaking Ceremony Kick-Starts Construction Effort on San Diego State University’s Mission Valley Site, New Aztec Stadium

SAN DIEGO, CA – Clark Construction joined San Diego State University (SDSU), city officials, and enthusiastic Aztec alumni to signal the start of redevelopment efforts on the university’s newly-acquired Mission Valley site. The first phase of this transformative master plan includes building a community river park and a 35,000-person-capacity stadium. Clark is leading design and construction efforts for the park, new campus infrastructure, and new multi-use facility, which will support collegiate football, professional and collegiate soccer, NCAA championship games, concerts, and other events.

To ensure the safety of event attendees, the university marked the historic occasion with a “drive- through” celebration that was also livestreamed on SDSU’s website. Car honks and cheers from the in-person participants were indicative of the excitement and anticipation for the day, which has been years in the making.

SDSU President Adela de la Torre, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, and California State University Board of Trustees members Jack McGrory and Adam Day were among the special guest speakers who commemorated the long-awaited milestone, recognizing its significance to the university’s future and the positive impact it will have on San Diego’s economy, and the local community. “Today marks a milestone moment for San Diego State University and the City of San Diego,” noted President de la Torre during her address. “With today’s groundbreaking we begin the work to expand SDSU’s educational, research, and entrepreneurial missions.”

The new sports and entertainment venue, known as Aztec Stadium, is a key element of SDSU’s broader campus expansion in Mission Valley, which is slated to include 1.6 million square feet of future campus development, 4,600 units of housing and more than 80 acres of parks and open space. During his remarks, Mayor Kevin Faulconer also reflected on the profound effect the landmark development will have on with city’s future saying, “What happens on the ground right here beneath our feet will elevate San Diego in ways that we can’t possibly imagine.”

Clark will perform site development surrounding the new stadium and river park, including construction of underground infrastructure, facilities, roadways, and a trolley plaza. With the groundbreaking under foot, the project team has begun site preparation, including grading and utility relocation and upgrade activities. Construction on the stadium structure will begin in Spring 2021. The stadium project is slated to be complete in the fall of 2022.

The Aztec Stadium project continues a longstanding partnership between Clark and San Diego State University. Over the last 15 years, the company has been awarded a number of projects on the SDSU campus, including the MTS Green Line Trolley Station and Tunnel and Engineering and Interdisciplinary Sciences Complex.

“We are delighted to continue Clark’s partnership with San Diego State to bring to life the vision of a new innovation campus in Mission Valley and a world-class sports and entertainment venue with Aztec Stadium,” said Carlos Gonzalez, regional executive officer for Clark in Southern California and alumnus of SDSU’s College of Engineering.

Aztec Stadium marks Clark’s second major sports facility project in San Diego. In 2004, the company completed construction of Petco Park, home to the San Diego Padres.

A video of the SDSU Mission Valley groundbreaking festivities is available here.