San Jose Earthquakes can start building their new stadium after late Wednesday night the City Council’s planning commission rejected the appeal against the development permit.
For a while the new stadium project seemed to hang by a thread as local residents objected against possible light and noise pollution a new stadium might bring with it. The city’s planning commission however voted 6-0 in favour of the plans, which means that a last hurdle was cleared and nothing stands in the way of construction to commence.
The Earthquakes’ new stadium is planned to have a capacity of 18,000 seats, all covered, with stands on three sides of the pitch. One of the stand-out features of the stadium are 12 pitch-level luxury suites.
The Earthquakes showed relieve at the outcome of the hearing, and announced to begin work on finalising the stadium design and financing plan. The club expects to be able to start building works later this year, with the opening planned for 2013.
San Jose is one of the last clubs in the MLS to still not have a football-specific stadium. The $60 million project will be completely privately financed.
Images: © sjearthquakes.com