Como Sinigaglia rebuild faces legal threat from residents group

Residents in Como are preparing court action over the proposed redevelopment of Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, escalating a local dispute that could complicate timelines for a project designed to expand the club’s matchday capacity and create year-round commercial activity on the Lake Como waterfront.A civic group called the Civic Committee for the Protection of the Stadium Area has commissioned an appeal to the administrative court after the city closed a “service conference” procedure that opened the way for the project to progress.The committee is also running a fundraising campaign targeting about €20,000 to cover legal services, independent planning expertise and administrative costs.An open public meeting titled “Il Sinigaglia che vogliamo” is scheduled for May 4 at Como’s City Library, with architects, lawyers and civil society representatives expected to discuss the technical and legal implications of the plan.Opponents have said they support modernisation but argue the current scheme could irreversibly change the character of the lakeside district, citing concerns around the scale of the development, commercial uses and additional traffic in an already constrained area.Como 1907 and its partners have positioned the redevelopment as a community-led upgrade that retains the stadium’s place in the city while improving functionality and opening the venue up beyond matchdays.Como 1907 president Mirwan Suwarso said: “Our aim is to ensure Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia remains a vital part of the community. The new project must honor the Giuseppe Sinigaglia stadium legacy while making it an active and accessible space for all citizens and visitors, not just for football, but for everyone to enjoy, 365 days a year.”Como mayor Alessandro Rapinese said: “This is the first phase of the process. This stadium is not just for football, but a gift for the entire community. I look forward to the various phases and to being able to enjoy Como 1907 play inside the new G. Sinigaglia.”Populous Italia general manager Silvia Prandelli said: “We are privileged to be involved in the redesign of the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. We look forward to working with Como 1907 and the Municipality of Como to bring the vision to life for the redevelopment of the stadium and how it will integrate with the local community.”The club and municipality have previously set out a process beginning with the submission and approval of a feasibility document, with the design and approval phase expected to run until May 2026.Construction has been outlined in two phases, with an initial phase pencilled in for October 2027 and a second phase targeted for August 2028, subject to approvals and execution planning.Next steps now sit with the public meeting, the administrative court process and any adjustments the city and project partners choose to make to reduce opposition while keeping the redevelopment on track.