The Latest on the Chargers Stadium Search (August 2009)
By Jason Riggs
It's been a little while since we updated our membership on the Chargers stadium search so I wanted to fill you in on some of the recent developments from the past 60 days.
Q: Are the Chargers still in discussions with the City of Chula Vista about building a new stadium in that region of the County?
A: No. With the recent Iraq deployment of Councilman and City of Chula Vista point-person John McCann in addition to the numerous obstacles associated with the most viable sites in Chula Vista, the Chargers have suspended discussions with the City for the time being to focus on other options within the County. If in the future the City of Chula Vista succeeds in shutting down the power plant, and the City is then interested in re-starting discussions with the team, the Chargers have indicated that they would re-open negotiations at that time.
Q: Is it true that the Chargers are exploring the possibility of building a stadium in Oceanside?
A: Yes. The team has been engaged in discussions with Thomas Enterprises which is a large credible developer. Thomas Enterprises already has City approval to build 950,000 square feet of retail space on roughly 90 acres along State Route 76 in Oceanside between Foussat Road and Mission Avenue. It is the site of a defunct Drive-In Theater and there are several factors that make it attractive to the team including its proximity to their season-ticket-holder fan base. However there are also several obstacles that must be cleared for this site to become viable including FAA regulations regarding the nearby municipal airport. Nonetheless, the team continues to explore this site as a future home for a new stadium.
Q: Are there any other sites within the County currently being discussed?
A: The Chargers continue to explore new options and ideas as they surface within the City and County of San Diego. However, at this time, the site in Oceanside is the only option currently being actively pursued by the team. The San Diego Stadium Coalition is committed to providing the latest information on this and all other stadium sites as developments occur.
Q: Is the State of California is considering a purchase of the current Qualcomm stadium site as part of a plan to expand the San Diego State Campus?
A: Yes. Mayor Jerry Sanders and SDSU President Stephen Weber have begun discussions in recent weeks on the possibility of the university using the land as a solution to significant problems at the city and the University. The proposal, which is still preliminary but quickly gaining momentum, would not directly impact the Qualcomm stadium structure, however, It does, call for displacing some of the 18,000 parking spaces to make way for student and faculty housing, research facilities and a riverfront park. If approved, this further removes the current stadium site in Mission Valley from the list of potential options and would create a more definitive timeline for the team’s relocation to remain viable. This recent development has potentially troubling implications for the Chargers regardless of its impact on the Qualcomm stadium structure itself.
Q: When will The Chargers again have an option to leave San Diego County?
A: The Chargers remain committed to staying in San Diego County, however, they can explore a relocation deal with other cities between Feb. 1 and May 1 each year until their lease with the City expires after the 2020 season. This process of searching for a new stadium site will not continue indefinitely and it is reasonable to believe that at some point in the near future, when all options within San Diego County have been exhausted, the team will begin looking to other regions. Nonetheless, their commitment to remain in the County is clear when you factor in the nearly 8 years and over $10M that they’ve invested in their search for a new stadium site.