SDStadium.org Blog

New Ideas Offer New Hope for a New Stadium in San Diego County

By Jason Riggs

It wasn't long ago that many fans and analysts thought that a Chargers move to Los Angeles was all but inevitable. Just a couple of months ago, billionaire Ed Roski's effort to build a sports megaplex in a not-so-quaint Los Angeles suburb was steamrolling ahead with seemingly few obstacles in sight.

But with pending litigation from the surrounding communities and a lack of willing NFL relocation prospects, the Roski train appears to be losing steam. His project might still become a reality one day, but the bulldozers are not clearing the way for a lightning bolt framed scoreboard just yet despite the zealous opinions of some Chargers fans in the region.

Yes, the clock is still ticking to get something done in San Diego and the amount of time to get it done appears increasingly scarce.

Take a look at this excerpt from a recent San Diego Stadium Coalition chat with Mark Fabiani:

15th May 11:19 - Mark Fabiani: Of course nothing will happen in the City of Industry -- or anywhere else in LA -- without a commitment from a team. No developer is going to build a stadium on spec.

15th May 11:19 - Mark Fabiani: That case should probably be resolved by the end of the year, and assuming the City of Industry prevails --or is able to modify the EIR to satisfy the court -- the stadium project would be ready to break ground.

15th May 11:19 - sdjase: What does that mean to the Chargers?

15th May 11:20 - Mark Fabiani: I don't know about talks between Walnut and the City of Industry, except to say that such talks would not be unusual in a dispute such as this. Generally, these kinds of inter-city EIR disputes are settled by one city agreeing to mitigate impacts.

15th May 11:20 - Mark Fabiani: That may be what happens here -- a negotiated settlement.

15th May 11:20 - Mark Fabiani: You are asking the ultimate question.

15th May 11:20 - dbboltsfan17: So what are the chances of a deal NOT getting done in San Diego that the Chargers would make the move?

15th May 11:21 - Mark Fabiani: And it is a question that ultimately Dean Spanos and his family will have to answer.

15th May 11:21 - Mark Fabiani: I think Dean has proven beyond any doubt -- after seven years of time and $10 million of spending -- that he wants to keep the Chargers right here in San Diego.

15th May 11:22 - Mark Fabiani: But at the end of the day, owning an NFL team is no different than owning any other business. You need to be financially competitive. And over time that will no longer be possible for the Chargers playing in an aging facility.

15th May 11:21 - chargerbacker2: How far away is San Diego compared to City of Industry in getting a new stadium?

15th May 11:22 - Mark Fabiani: The City of Industry is way ahead of us here in San Diego -- except for the most critical factor of all: They have no team!

So, while the Chargers are committed to staying in San Diego that commitment will not trump what's best for the business and at some point that decision will have to be made.

With that in mind, it's a good time to take a look at what's going on in San Diego County's effort to build a new stadium... and that's where the "green shoots" of optimism are beginning to sprout.

In today's edition of the Union-Tribune, Tim Sullivan profiled a new proposal for the Qualcomm site put forth by well-respected local developer Perry Dealy in recent weeks. Although the initial proposal might require more density than the Chargers would prefer, it's a new idea and one that apparently pencils out for the critical stakeholders in the stadium effort.

Another promising option is The Gaylord Site in Chula Vista. Ever since plans for hotel and convention center development fell through late last year, the Chargers have been eyeing that tract of land as one of the most attractive options available. However, the Chula Vista City Council has not decided on the best use for this land so it is still not technically "on the table."

During the SDSC online chat and in recent media interviews Mark Fabiani has also eluded to some "new ideas" that are not ready for prime time just yet. These involve parcels of land in "other smaller cities" in San Diego County that will likely present some new stadium (or adjoining) development options for the Chargers.

From the SDSC Online Chat:

15th May 11:11 - Mark Fabiani: Also, we have gotten inquiries from several developers who control large parcels of land whose plans have been upended by the economic crisis. They are interested in perhaps partnering with us.

15th May 11:11 - Mark Fabiani: On other fronts, there is a private development group that is studying whether redevelopment of the Qualcomm site makes sense, and you may be hearing more about that idea in the future.

15th May 11:11 - dbboltsfan17: What do you mean by redevelopment? Do you mean renovating the Q?

15th May 11:12 - Mark Fabiani: And finally, we have a good, open line of communication with Mayor Sanders, City Attorney Goldsmith, and other top San Diego City officials.

15th May 11:12 - Mark Fabiani: I can't tell you where those sites are yet, because we are still early in discussions, except to say that they are well-located within San Diego County.

15th May 11:12 - chargerbacker2: What is the status of Perry Dealy proposal to city to build over the Quaclomm site? thank you

15th May 11:13 - Mark Fabiani: All in all, we have a lot going on -- all at a time when other sports team owners and other developers have abandoned their projects because of the economic situation.

So, after seven years of frustration for the Chargers and their fans, there appears to be movement. There is, according to Mark Fabiani, "...a lot going on -- all at a time when other sports team owners and other developers have abandoned their projects because of the economic situation."

There are new people approaching this challenge with new ideas. And there are new groups (such as this one) raising awareness about this issue and helping to facilitate discussion among the key parties. All of this means that constructive energy is being applied to this daunting task and through those efforts a solution will emerge.

Take heart Charger fans; we are a little closer today to keeping the Chargers in our County and getting a new world-class stadium built in the San Diego region.

Still, it's going to take a lot more than good ideas and good intentions to get this done.

We need your help!

Join the San Diego Stadium Coalition and learn more about the things you can do to help get a stadium built in San Diego County.