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Oceanside, Chargers kick off stadium talks
By: DAVID STERRETT - Staff Writer | ∞
OCEANSIDE ---- San Diego Chargers and Oceanside officials said Tuesday that their meeting to kick off discussions about the football team building a stadium on the site of a city-owned golf course was "very positive."
"We took away from the meeting that the Chargers appear very interested in Oceanside," City Attorney John Mullen said after the two-hour meeting at City Hall.
Mullen said the two sides discussed the information they need to explore before a stadium could be built on the Center City Golf Course, which is near the intersection of Interstate 5 and Oceanside Boulevard.
Mark Fabiani, the team's lead negotiator on the stadium issue, said it was way too early to talk sensibly about any details, but added, "It was a good meeting."
He said the two sides plan to meet again next week, but there was no timetable for when details about a stadium project would be discussed.
"It was a strong kickoff meeting," Fabiani said. "Now it's time to get to hard work and figure out whether the site makes sense for the Chargers and public."
Residents will have a chance to comment on the idea during an Oceanside City Council meeting that starts tonight at 5 at City Hall.
Fabiani said he rescheduled his plans so he could attend the meeting and answer questions from residents.
"We are totally committed to the public process," Fabiani said. "We view public meetings as really valuable and important."
The Chargers want to leave aging Qualcomm Stadium in Mission Valley within the next decade for a facility with luxury suites that could generate millions of dollars annually for the team. The Chargers have said they want to stay in San Diego County, and are looking for a city to provide land for a stadium and a development, saying revenues from the development would help pay for a $700 million stadium. Fabiani said the team would pay for the cost of operating and maintaining a stadium that would be owned by the public.
Mullen said Fabiani told the city that the Chargers wanted to put a stadium measure on the November 2008 ballot, no matter where the team decides to build the stadium,
Fabiani provided Oceanside officials with an update Tuesday on the team's discussions with Chula Vista and National City. The team started talking with the two cities last year after breaking off talks with the city of San Diego after four years of negotiations. The team continues to work with Chula Vista and National City on finding sites for a stadium.
Earlier this month, the team identified the Center City Golf Course as a potential site because of its proximity to Interstate 5, rail lines and fans in North County as well as Orange, Riverside and Los Angeles counties.
The city leases the 70-plus-acre site to operators of the inexpensive 18-hole golf course, also known as Goat Hill because of its steep terrain.
"There is no question we are interested in the site," Fabiani said after the meeting Tuesday.
Fabiani met with Mullen, Jane McVey, the city's director of economic development and redevelopment, Mike Blessing, the deputy city manager, and Peter Weiss, who becomes interim city manager this week.
"It was a very friendly discussion," Mullen said.
He said Fabiani had a positive reaction when city officials asked if the team would be willing to eventually pay for consultants to help the city analyze the stadium issue. The team has agreed to pay for consultants to work with Chula Vista, and Fabiani said it's an option for Oceanside as discussions progress.
"Our position has always been we are going to do what is necessary to help cities evaluate this idea," Fabiani said.
He said the team plans to provide information about the size of a typical stadium and the amount of parking needed. Fabiani said the city agreed to give the team more information about the site and transportation options to the area.
Residents living near the golf course, which is ringed with homes, businesses and parkland, have said they are concerned a stadium would bring a flood of traffic to Oceanside on the day of events.
But residents and city officials have also said that a stadium could bring millions of dollars and national recognition to the coastal city of 180,000 residents.
Chargers and Oceanside officials stressed the need to get input from residents about a stadium in the city.
"We all have a lot to learn," Fabiani said. "Today was starting off that process."
- Contact staff writer David Sterrett at (760) 901-4067 or dsterrett@nctiems.com.
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Randy wrote on Jan 24, 2007 3:31 AM:The City Council needs to immediately pass a unanimous resolution guaranteeing that eminent domain will not be used to take people's homes to benefit billionaire Chargers' owner Alex Spanos.
To Mr. Fabiani wrote on Jan 24, 2007 6:44 AM:The residents who own beautiful single family homes in the immediate area of the proposed stadium DO NOT WANT YOU to take our parkland, block our access to the beach and destroy our homes with noise, lights and traffic. Go to Chula Vista, please. Our town is sick of give aways to developers and that's exactly what you and Spanos are.
Mike wrote on Jan 24, 2007 7:45 AM:Think about it! The super bowl in Oceanside. That is a lot of money coming into the city. I just hope the city council does not mess this up. However, I would not hold my breathe.
Oceansider wrote on Jan 24, 2007 7:55 AM:Please PLEASE don't get into a bidding war with Chula Vista and National City. If the Chargers want a site in Oceanside, because of its "superiority" to the other sites, let 'em put THEIR money, not OURS, where their mouths are.
Oceanside wrote on Jan 24, 2007 8:19 AM:Oceanside would be a much better location than NC or CV. Just the thought of having to drive through San Diego traffic makes me erk. Fans from Orange, L.A. and counties north of San Diego county would love it too. I don't travel to Qualcom just because of traffic issues. I can deal with Oceanside anytime. I hope the Chargers call Oceanside their next home. They would surely need to change the name to Oceanside Chargers with Edison power plant being so close, that would be perfect.
hey Randy wrote on Jan 24, 2007 9:51 AM:Passing a resolution like that would be catering to special interests. Why would we wnat to encourage the city council to do that?
Great for Oceanside! wrote on Jan 24, 2007 10:04 AM:This is great for Oceanside! Everywhere I go in this city, people are talking very excitedly about the Chargers at Oceanside. Do the economic studies, ensure the public safety and respond to the traffic concerns of the nearby residents. If it makes sense for Oceanside, then go team go!
Oceanside resident wrote on Jan 24, 2007 10:08 AM:As a long-time resident of this city, I am very happy about the progress we've had in the last few years. This town is finally reaching its potential -- beach resort, redevelopment, a regional park, and now this council has the opportunity to turn serverely underutilized goat hill into a real gem. My recommendation -- use the same process you used for the beach resort. Come to a concensus. We're on our way to greatness!
Oceanside Fan wrote on Jan 24, 2007 10:20 AM:Everytime an issue comes up for growth & development all of these activist come out of the woodwork. This wood be the best thing that could ever happen to Oceanside. Do whatever it takes to get the stadium built here. Eminent domain is a right every city has if it will improve life for the rest of the city. Our town is not sick of developer give aways. Our town is sick of all of these activists who want to run the city and make decisions that affect home owners who pay huge taxes. let the activist go play in another sandbox. Go development!
Another Fan wrote on Jan 24, 2007 10:22 AM:We love you, but not here.... The City has been and still is working hard to clean up Oceanside and it appears that its working little by little, but its working. Bringing in an NFL team is a huge step backwards for Oceanside and will certainly increase violance, traffic problems and other negative issues.
MG wrote on Jan 24, 2007 10:47 AM:That will bring in a lot of money for city of Oceanside. I believe that when San Diego had the Super Bowl a couple of years ago the city made 100 million dollars. The money could be used to give pay raises to police and firefighters and hire additional officers. I also agree with Randy no one should be taken from his or her home. If, Alex finances the stadium I have no problem with it, but that will not happen. Good in theory but it will not happen in Oceanside.
Oceansider wrote on Jan 24, 2007 11:05 AM:At this early stage, objections to any stadium deal have to be based on principle, since there are absolutely no details available. So, those who are today against the stadium site in Oceanside will be against it no matter what happens. Those who are for it today may become soured when details of the deal are revealed. Judging from past dealings of both parties, though, one can't help but be skeptical. I'll keep an open mind, but will look deeply down the throat of any gift horse the Chargers wish to bestow upon us.
Carlbad says bring on the Chargers wrote on Jan 24, 2007 11:34 AM:Oceanside has all the gangs and crime, while Carlsbad has all the hotels nad shopping. A perfect combination. Hello Transient Occupancy Tax, good bye infrastructure and crime problems. Build that stadium Oceanside, hurry up and thank you once again!
Brittany wrote on Jan 24, 2007 11:43 AM:I would love to have the Chargers here! Money for our city, less of a commute to see a game, national recognition! There are a lot of positives. I know there are negatives too but i really like the idea!
Now hear this...!!!! wrote on Jan 24, 2007 11:48 AM:To all who have been living in a cave the last 15 years! The right of imminent domain is the LAW OF THE LAND via Supreme court rulings. If you haven't planned your life better that's your problem. This is a country based on CAPITALISM not SOCIALISM. If you can't afford it or fight it be prepared to move to the desert.. plenty of space... lots of room. As for having a consensus WELL isn't that why we elect officials so we DON'T have to go running to the people everytime things need to get done? Besides it took over 15 YEARS for the resort project to get to where it is now SO going through all that just ain't in the equation the chargers won't wait that long.
Not Against Charges wrote on Jan 24, 2007 11:54 AM:Just against the currently proposed location. Bring them here for sure, just put them in a more appropriate (less already established residential) place.
Oside wrote on Jan 24, 2007 12:16 PM:Great comment Oceansider. It will be hard though to pass up an economic opportunity such as this. This could be the nucleus of an economic boom similar to what Petco provided for the forgotten downtown area. Imagine the Oceanside property value now and what it could be 10 years from now- wow.
Don wrote on Jan 24, 2007 12:22 PM:I was born at Camp Pendelton, I've been a lifelong resident of Oceanside and a lifelong Charger fan, seeing the stadium in Oceanside and the Chargers based there would make everything right in my world. Can you emagine a Superbowl in Oceanside! Welcome Chargers and the revenue and excitement you will bring.
To Oside wrote on Jan 24, 2007 2:07 PM:I've seen the area around Qualcomm and it's certainly NOTHING I want to live near. Property values in the surrounding area will be in the toilet if it's put at the golf course.
Oceanside Resident CBP wrote on Jan 24, 2007 3:28 PM:I firmly believe that a stadium up here will bolster new business, add much needed new high end restaurants, increase police funding and add much needed money to a growing beach community. If it is built with the community in mind (ie parks, off season usage etc.) and addresses the parking issues with better mass tranist (or tie package discounts into rail, bus, train etc)... it is definitely a plausable choice.
Chad C wrote on Jan 24, 2007 4:27 PM:I think everyone here is forgetting the real issue here...where will all the gophers go that currently burrow in this land? Shall we expect them to just move off their land? Gophers have lived there for hundreds of years...does the City of Oceanside & The San Diego Chargers just want them to pick up and move to neighboring land? Perhaps they could move west & get beachfront property.
Johnnyp wrote on Jan 24, 2007 5:31 PM:The only people who want the Charger Stadium here are a bunch of fans who want to see a game without driving to San Diego. I bet most of them are probably renters who own nothing and will probably move on when the town is no longer a nice place to live. I am sure if some of them owned expensive homes in the area or in Oceansied they would sing a different song. We do not need to turn our town into another Anaheim or a Santa Ana. The idea of negotiating for a stadium here in Oceanside is crazy and stupid. How about if the chargers bought Crown Heights and leveled it- it is all apartments anyway-but, I forgot the Chargers want the land for NOTHNG!!!And we are stupid enough to give it to them!!
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