Mission Valley best choice for multi-use stadium, Citizens’ Stadium Advisory Group says

Savings, developable land, and transportation options listed among committee’s reasons for selecting Mission Valley over Downtown
SAN DIEGO (March 12, 2015)---The Citizens’ Stadium Advisory Group (CSAG) announced today that the Mission Valley site is the best choice for a new multi-use stadium. San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer had asked the committee to choose between the Downtown site and the Mission Valley site, which is where Qualcomm Stadium is located. The committee listed 8 reasons why it selected the Mission Valley site, and it announced its decision this morning at a news conference at Qualcomm Stadium.

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“Each site has its pros and cons, but for several reasons the Mission Valley location is the best choice for a multi-use stadium,” said CSAG Chairman Adam Day. “For starters, building on this site saves the City approximately $250 million, and it protects the City, the Chargers, and the fans from years of uncertainty.”

Day added: “The City owns the Mission Valley site, which covers 166 acres of land. A lot of that land could be developed to help pay for the stadium. The development could open up the San Diego River to walking and biking paths. The entire area could become a village within a city – a place for families and tourists to visit year-round. It’s also important to note that the site is already connected to freeways, major roadways, and the trolley.”

The CSAG is now focused on drafting a financing plan, which the committee expects to present to Mayor Faulconer by the end of May.

Numerous former Chargers, including several who attended today’s news conference, have joined the effort to keep the team in San Diego.

"I love San Diego and I love the Chargers, so I can't picture a future without the Chargers in San Diego," LaDainian Tomlinson said. "I'm pleased by the progress we've seen in the last several weeks, and I plan to do whatever I can to help resolve the stadium issue. It's important all of us work together to get this done for San Diego."

Shawne Merriman, who attended the news conference, said: “I'm thrilled with today’s announcement and by all the efforts of everyone involved. Things are moving in the right direction and I'm honored to be a part of it.”

Recent events in Los Angeles, including the Chargers plans to build a joint stadium with the Oakland Raiders in Carson, mean any plan to keep the Chargers in San Diego needs to be developed expeditiously.

“The CSAG has made excellent progress, and today’s announcement is reflective of that,” said CSAG member Jim Steeg, a former Chargers vice president and NFL executive who is best known for making the Super Bowl super. “I can’t stress this point enough – the Mission Valley site gives the City its best chance at getting a multi-use stadium up and running before the end of this decade.”

The Mission Valley site was selected because it’s the best location for a multi-use stadium for all of San Diego. The facility would anchor a new community and host the Chargers, the Aztecs, college bowl games, high school playoffs, concerts, monster truck jams and other events.

It’s also important to note that when the CSAG met with the Chargers in February, the Chargers said they do not prefer one site over the other. The team described its position as agnostic.
“From a land-use perspective, the Mission Valley site presents excellent opportunities for smart growth, transit-oriented development and thoughtful density,” said CSAG member Mary Lydon, who serves as Executive Director of the Urban Land Institute San Diego/Tijuana. “I really see this site becoming one of San Diego’s crown jewels – a walkable community of homes, shops, and restaurants, connected to a river park, mass transit, and a multi-use stadium.”

In addition to CSAG members, representatives from Bolt Pride and Save our Bolts attended today’s news conference, along with Rob Hutsel, Executive Director of the San Diego River Park Foundation, numerous fans, and Chargers alumni.

“We are very pleased with the Advisory Group’s selection of the Mission Valley site,” said Rafael Alvarez, who heads Bolt Pride, which has over 9,000 members. “It's a great choice for a number of reasons, and it allows everyone to focus on finding the best financial solution for the stadium.” 
Jesse Arroyo, president of Save Our Bolts, which represents more than 13,000 fans, said:
"We at Save Our Bolts are pleased to see so much passion and dedication from the Mayor, the Advisory Group and others. We all want the same thing – to keep the Chargers in San Diego. Today's announcement means so much to so many. Much work remains but this is America's Finest City, and we're up to the challenge. Let us demonstrate America's finest effort in the way we work together. Count on us to be partners in this process."

Social media: #CSAG

Contact: Tony Manolatos