Oceanside has serious competition for Chargers
By: DAVID STERRETT - Staff Writer | ∞
OCEANSIDE ---- When it comes to the San Diego Chargers looking for a new home, Oceanside isn't the only city in the game, according to leaders of Chula Vista and National City.
"I would have to put my money on my own city," Chula Vista Councilman John McCann said last week when asked where he expected the football team to build a stadium.
During interviews last week, leaders of Chula Vista and National City discussed the numerous benefits and drawbacks of several stadium sites that the Chargers are studying in the two South Bay cities.
The team says it wants to leave aging Qualcomm Stadium in Mission Valley within the next decade for a facility that is state of the art, and it has identified Chula Vista, National City and Oceanside as potential homes.
Oceanside and Chargers officials expressed interest earlier this month in the team building a stadium on a 70-plus-acre, city-owned golf course near the intersection of Interstate 5 and Oceanside Boulevard.
The Chargers have said they are interested in the Oceanside site because of its proximity to I-5 and rail lines, and because it's close to fans in North County as well as Orange, Riverside and Los Angeles counties. Oceanside has 42 square miles and 180,000 residents.
Officials with Chula Vista and National City, who began talks with the Chargers last year, said they weren't surprised that the National Football League team is now talking to Oceanside.
"I think competition with other cities would be healthy," McCann said.
Chargers officials have said they want to stay in San Diego County and are looking for a city that could provide it with land for both a $700 million stadium and a development, saying revenues from a housing, business or entertainment project would help pay for the stadium.
Team officials have said they want to put a stadium issue on the ballot in November 2008 no matter which city they choose. Chula Vista and National City officials said they hadn't spoken with anyone in Oceanside about the Chargers, although one National City councilman appears to have thrown his support behind Oceanside.
"I think Oceanside is the best location and it's a great idea," said Louie Natividad, who has served on the National City council since 2002.
But other National City officials said they want to explore the possibility of forming a partnership with other cities and the county to find a way to bring the Chargers to their city.
For its part, Chula Vista says it has hired consultants, paid for by the Chargers, to review possible sites in the city.
Here is a look at possible stadium sites in the South Bay cities:
Chula Vista: Many sites, many options
Chula Vista Councilman McCann said he lobbied the Chargers to consider moving to his city for more than two years, and team and city officials officially began discussions in May.
The rapidly growing city of more than 235,000 residents has several potential sites on the eastern edge of town as well as along San Diego Bay, he said.
McCann said Chula Vista, which is 55 square miles and next to the U.S.-Mexico border, has about 2,000 acres of developable land on the eastern portion of the city near the ARCO Olympic Training Center, the Otay Reservoir and a site planned for a future university.
"We could put not only a stadium, but we would look to build an entire village community based around the stadium," McCann said.
He said there were "multiple private developers interested in participating in the Charger deal," and he added that Highway 125 is slated to be extended to run through the area.
The site is bare today and would require extensive road infrastructure and mass transit, but McCann said the city would be able to start clean and wouldn't have to "deal with any existing issues."
McCann said a stadium near San Diego Bay could be appealing because of the proximity to Interstates 5 and 15 as well as railroad and trolley tracks lines. He said there is a mix of public and private land along the bay front that would offer beautiful views for a stadium.
He said a stadium in Chula Vista could help the Chargers reach the Latino market, noting that Tijuana, with more than 1 million people, is close by and that at least half of Chula Vista's residents are Latino. He said Chula Vista has had success with regional recreation and entertainment venues such as the Coors Amphitheatre and the Knotts Soak City USA waterpark.
Chula Vista Councilman Steve Castaneda said that any possible stadium deal would need to benefit the city economically and not disturb existing communities.
He cautioned that sites on the end of town could be hard to access, while the bay-front properties are more constrained and would need approval from the California Coastal Commission.
Chula Vista will know what sites will work best after a New York-based consulting firm completes a 12-week study of all the possible locations for a stadium. Chargers officials said they agreed to pay $200,000 for the study because they don't want to place the burden of finding a location on local cities.
"My understanding of talking with the Chargers is they are very interested in Chula Vista and Oceanside," Castaneda said. "They are working very hard to see if one of those locations will be a solution for their problem."
National City: Beautiful bay-front real estate
Leaders of National City said last week that they also have a viable site for a stadium.
About four months ago, National City officials began discussions with the Chargers about building a stadium in their city of 60,000 residents south of San Diego and north of Chula Vista.
The city and team say they are looking at a 60-plus acres along San Diego Bay west of I-5 and south of Bay Marina Drive.
National City Mayor Ron Morrison said "its a pretty spacious site that is used very little" and owned by the San Diego Port Authority.
The city said it sent out more than 19,000 surveys to residents last year about what they want to see on the property, and that more than 55 percent of the 1,800 respondents supported the idea of an entertainment center or sports facility near the waterfront.
"I think people were extremely positive (about the Chargers)," Morrison said. "We saw there is extremely high level of community support."
But several business owners on the property have said there are many jobs that would be lost if the site was turned into a stadium.
The site includes a range of businesses such as a lumber company, automotive services businesses and some county government offices.
Chris Zapata, the city manager of National City, said there are about 350 people who work at businesses on the property, but many of them could be relocated.
"I respect (the business owners') argument (about losing jobs), but I don't agree with it," Zapata said.
He said the city had been in contact with leaders of Chula Vista, the city of San Diego, San Diego County and San Diego State University about the possibility forming a joint powers authority that would allow the agencies to work together under one leadership.
"This is a regional question that requires a regional solution," Zapata said. "The bottom line is that the region needs to keep the Chargers in the county."
Morrison said the bay-front property would make a great site because it's near downtown San Diego, I-5 and trolley lines. He said the site is not big enough for a development the Chargers could build to help pay for the stadium.
National City would consider partnering with another city or county to find property off the site that the Chargers could use to develop, and then would share potential revenue generated by a stadium in National City.
But several National City council members said there were many issues that needed to be studied before they could support a stadium.
Natividad said he believed that a football stadium would be too large for the site and would generate too much traffic for a city of 9 square miles.
The site needs to be better utilized because the city only received about $48,000 in revenue last year for more than 50 acres of waterfront property, said Councilman Frank Parra.
He said National City has a few more hurdles to attracting the Chargers than the other cities because the bay-front property is tightly constrained.
"I think Oceanside has potential," Parra said. "The city of Chula Vista also has some sites around the bay."
Chargers fever
Chula Vista's McCann said he was aware of National City's plan to put together a partnership to help keep the Chargers in the county.
"Right now, we want to focus on a Chula Vista site," McCann said. "We really don't want to help another city get a site right now."
Chula Vista and Oceanside appear to have taken the lead on finding a stadium site for the Chargers, according to Chula Vista's Castaneda.
He said "some people love the idea and some people hate the idea" of building a stadium in Chula Vista, but that the issue has attracted interest throughout the county.
"We all have Chargers fever," said McCann.
Oceanside Mayor Jim Wood said he doesn't want the cities to start bidding against each other for the team. Wood said he believes Oceanside is one of the prime candidates for a stadium, but that the Chargers are seriously considering all three cities.
"We can all speculate on what is going to happen," Wood said. "But no one will know until the Chargers finally make up their minds."
Contact staff writer David Sterrett at (760) 901-4067 or dsterrett@nctimes.com.
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Let the play begin. wrote on Jan 28, 2007 12:26 AM:Oceanside is being played.. while there are many right reasons for the Chargers on Goat Hill, there is a major problem too. Why should the western portion of the city put up with screwed up traffic and noise to benefit Spanos and company, and *give* them the land to boot! Spanos, buy your own land with *YOUR* money. How about East Miramar? It's right there off I-15, it will someday have it's own rail service passing by.. and the sound of Freedom can be heard nearby. Folks, this is not just '10 weekends' a year, this is Monster Truck rallies, RV shows, Religious gatherings, etc. You think Mr. Real Estate is gonna let a venue sit empty?
Jason wrote on Jan 28, 2007 6:08 AM:Wow, what it must be like to live in a city like Chula Vista where Councilman Steve Castaneda said "..any possible stadium deal would need to benefit the city economically and NOT DISTURB existing communities." Far different than Castaneda, Oceanside's City Council is ready to give away the farm, our neighborhoods (property values), and our quality of like. The Council sucks.
Of Course that is What it's all About wrote on Jan 28, 2007 7:10 AM:Oceanside Mayor Jim Wood said;" he doesn't want the cities to start bidding against each other for the team". Someone with some smarts please set up and help this boy! Get a Clue Jimmy, you are seriously outmatched here.
The Chargers need to be in Oceanside wrote on Jan 28, 2007 7:52 AM:It is the best site! Location, Location, Location! I do not want to drive all the way to San Diego or Chula Vista which is further and harder to to get to! Oceanside is perfect! I am growing tired of this crazy location in San Diego! Oceanside is the best location. I do not know why we didn't think of it sooner! Right of the 5, near the beach, near many other forms of transportation. More fans so the franchise can sustain itself! Right smack in the middle between, San Diego City, Orange County and East County has easy access as well. Please, Oceanside makes sense!
Go Chargers wrote on Jan 28, 2007 7:54 AM:This O-Side resident says GO CHARGERS. Go all the way to CHULA VISTA.
GFN wrote on Jan 28, 2007 8:38 AM:No matter the cost, Oceanside HAS to win this competition. Think of the prestige and honor it will bring. No matter the cost; we must win!
Prestige? wrote on Jan 28, 2007 9:54 AM:Please explain how a stadium will bring prestige to Oceanside! Did the stadium in Mission Valley bring "prestige" to that area? Will minimum wage jobs and drunken spectators bring "prestige" to Oceanside? As a 30 year resident of Oceanside and an avid traveler, I can tell you that cities with stadiums are not prestigious. Cities with world class resorts and shopping are prestigious. How can anyone lable a stadium a prestigious????
Thanks to Jason wrote on Jan 28, 2007 11:04 AM:You and Councilman Casteneda are right on...no concrete behemouth stadium and its associated crime, traffic, lights and noise should disturb and destroy and ghettoize entire established beautiful neighborhoods. Fire Mountain, Loma Alta and OCNA...get your act up front and tell our Council WE don't want this...send it to Chula Vista. We will all watch the game on TV anyway.
Safety Personnel wrote on Jan 28, 2007 11:07 AM:Can anyone tell me how the bulk of our fire and police service will be able to get to downtown and the highrises in the event of a fire or other large catastrophy? With a stadium cutting our town in half they won't be able to. Get real Mayor and Council. The price we would end up paying for a little game day thrill will destroy neighborhoods and the simple ability to cross town both for pleasure and for the necessities of safety.
JT wrote on Jan 28, 2007 11:12 AM:Oh my GOD--where the heck do you get PRESTIGE and HONOR? Prestige of what????? Our new "reputation" of a coastal city too stupid to figure out why people come here--duh, the beach: NOT MONSTER TRUCK RALLIES!? HONOR?????????? What admiration???????? If the Chargers lend SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH PRESTIGE and HONOR, why doesn't the City of San Diego want them back?????????
Oceanside always a bridesmaid never a bride!!! wrote on Jan 28, 2007 11:57 AM:This always happens! Oceanside residents the biggest chickens in So Cal. Anything goiod comes along the start whinning!!! Please! The sky isn't falling! Put to vote! When you don't get the stadium, or anything else that create revenue, then enjoy your taxes and limited police, fire, and emergency services or the lack of! Also enjoy patying for all the social programs that you will absorb, because there is no business in your city! Oceanside will never grow with the negative thinking!
To Always A Bridesmaid wrote on Jan 28, 2007 12:25 PM:The reservations against putting a stadium on Goat Hill has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with being chicken. Rather, it's simply the fact that we do not want to lose the property values of the homes we've worked so hard to purchase. It's simply the fact that we do not want to surrender our beautiful neighborhoods to the lights and sounds of late night monster truck rallies. It's simply the fact that we don't want our beautiful neighborhoods to turn into litter strewn parking lots when the stadium parking is either too full or too expensive to use. And so on and so on.
Shock & Awe wrote on Jan 28, 2007 1:20 PM:Radical Islamist groups are very pleased with the thought of a very large sports stadium coming to a military town like Oceanside. Shock and awe potential.
Fat cats wrote on Jan 28, 2007 1:29 PM:The only people to profit off this stadium deal in Oceanside will be the fat cats at city hall and thier close buddies. They all have special off shore accounts set up by the Spanos front men. By the way....what ever happen to the last Ocenside mayor.....what was his name.....Terry something. Grand Caymun Terry Johnson $$$$$
bridesmaid? wrote on Jan 28, 2007 1:33 PM:I'd rather be single than marry the wrong person!
Remember Measure "M" wrote on Jan 28, 2007 4:07 PM:Lets put this on the ballot sooner than later. Are you ready, Sahri, Carolyn, Diane, Esther...... it only lost by 70 votes.
NO STADIUM IN OSIDE!! wrote on Jan 28, 2007 4:16 PM:I agree with the majority of the above posts....Oceanside DOES NOT need the stadium. As stated it won't just be the Chargers...it's all the other GARBAGE that goes with it! SAY NO!!!
to oceanside always a bridesmaid never a bride.... wrote on Jan 28, 2007 4:19 PM:My goodness.go back to school or use spellcheck!! Your post is nonsense!! Sounds like you don't live in my fine city of Oside...so why don't you suggest they put the stadium in yours!!!
Brides Maid wrote on Jan 28, 2007 4:23 PM:Why must Oceanside be the butt hole of the coast line? Because we never take any chances! We whine as local residents with our head in the sand, like we have been living under a rock our whole lives! The Chargers are coming to Oceanside on Goat Hill. Read the writing on the wall! Sorry!!!!!
No Deal! Don't compete! wrote on Jan 28, 2007 4:30 PM:Offer what you can and see if they bite! If the Chargers are smart they will take it! This is best deal in town, county and state! Location! Location! Location! What is a better backdrop for football in So.Cal. It sure isn't Cula Vista or National City! Please! Not to mention the potential draw for fans at an Oceanside venue! Go to the game and eat in Oceanside! Walk on the beach! Win Win for both Chargers and Oceanside! But we should offer any deals. Let them have the land and let them build their business here in Oceanside! All those crying about property values. Please the value of home will go up like a rocket! Who are you kidding! But the Chragers need to act like they want to come here! We do not hear much from thier camp! Lets see if they are smart enough to make this happen! Build a stadium and infrastructure quickly and you will have a larger fan base, more revenues and a nice place for you office space to look over the Oceanside! After the game fly out of the local airport, or stay in your affordable condo! Take care of Oceanside and Oceanside will take care of you! A long term relationship! Exploit Oceanside and will reap nothing! This is such a slam dunk! Lets see if the Chargers screw this up, like they did the Super Bowl Chance this year! Step up Chargers!
Think about it........ wrote on Jan 28, 2007 6:01 PM:On one hand it is a really good idea, and they do have a good point of why they would want to be in Oceanside. However on the other hand I get off on that off ramp of Oceanside Blvd everyday and see how much traffic there is already. Compared too driving downtown it's nothing but we like NOT having all that traffic nightmare up here in north county, there is a reason why we live up here too stay away from all of the crazy traffic down south! The Oceanside city Hall is just looking at it as cha ching$$$$ more money for them more tourists thats it! Honestly they really need to start listening to the Oceanside residents who live here and will have to deal with it forever! There is a reason why I don't go too any games becasue of all of the TRAFFIC "not worth it!" OH and it's not called whinning it's called freedom of speech and reality!!!!!
NIMBY wrote on Jan 28, 2007 6:25 PM:Seiously......how many monster truck rallies are there in a year? Lighten up. And, property values? Are you not happy with the fact they've doubled? I hate Americans, especially Oceansiders.
Thought about it wrote on Jan 28, 2007 6:29 PM:Hey Think about it--you are SO right! Recall the council. Stupid ideas.
To Think about it! wrote on Jan 28, 2007 6:32 PM:You are in the minority! The Chargers are coming! Ha! You don't like the traffic move to the desert! The Chargers are coming! There is your Reality! Cha Ching$$$$
To Brides Maid wrote on Jan 28, 2007 6:42 PM:Then please, feel free to buy my beautiful and spacious Fire Mountain house because I AM OUT OF HERE if this monstrosity passes!!!!
To No Deal wrote on Jan 28, 2007 6:48 PM:"Please the value of home will go up like a rocket! Who are you kidding!" ... Obviously you're kidding yourself. There is no way that this stadium will increase anyone's property value besides its own. I've seen the area around Petco and other stadiums in the country. It's never anywhere I want to park my car let alone live in. Send them to Chula Vista ... We in Oceanside will ulimately be better off for it!
Jay wrote on Jan 28, 2007 7:13 PM:Why in this day of outsourcing don't they do what the other multi-million dollar corporations do? Build it in Mexico with unskilled, low paid labor with 3rd rate materials? Just think, we can see a game, pick up our prescription drugs and have our photo taken on a donkey all in the same afternoon!
To NIMBY wrote on Jan 28, 2007 7:15 PM:Monster Truck Rallies + Charger Home Games + Aztec Home Games + Practices + Any Number of Conventions + Any Variety of Concerts + Whatever Else Fills Up The Calendar + The Mess All That Leaves Behind = NOTHING I WANT TO LIVE NEXT TO!!!!!!
ATTN: Chula Vista wrote on Jan 28, 2007 7:20 PM:As an Oceanside resident I am so seriously pulling for you!!!!!
New slogan! wrote on Jan 28, 2007 8:47 PM:National City Mile of Cars! Minutes from anywhere! Even the Chargers! Go Chargers Go!
Freeman wrote on Jan 28, 2007 8:48 PM:I can't believe the Chargers are even on Oceanside's radar. Our city must have no straegic vision of its own. Our mayor and council simply entertain anyone who comes looking to exploit scummy Oceanside, and haphazardly lurch in whichever direction the cash-man commeth. Vote the whores off the council and let's get back to leveraging our EXISTING advantages, such as tourism and the beach. Stadiums are for towns that have NOTHING ELSE TO OFFER. We don't need the Chargers. But then again, who does?
EliminateGangs wrote on Jan 28, 2007 11:04 PM:I've lived in San Diego all my life, and the only reason I would ever stop in Oceanside would be to get gas. No wonder Gangs have taken over your city, you are a destination for nothing. People of Oceanside, Police, Fire and other emergency services are paid by taxes, Stadiums pay taxes, hotels house tourist who don't know about your Gangs, who then pay taxes. Get a clue, make people want to stop, build a Stadium
To wherever the Stadium is going to... wrote on Jan 29, 2007 3:19 PM:I am a Big Fan of SD Chargers, and all have very good points...but whether or not Oside gets a Stadium or Convention Ctr., there will be problems that people are going to deal with...Its up to the gov. and people to have a solid plan in place so when these "problems" come up, there is already a solution in place to solve it...GO BOLTS!
TO Eliminate Gangs wrote on Jan 29, 2007 4:43 PM:Who the H do you think you are? What is your city a destination for? And let me guess...you are the only city in the whole world that doesnt' have gangs? Pull your head out!! And get a clue! I think the beautiful coastline,and Mission San Luis Rey are enough of a draw! What draw does Escondido have? Encinitas? Vista? Solana Beach? Rancho Bernardo? You get my drift!! We might have gangs, but we also have 4 million dollar homes sitting on the sand...does your city?
nuttz 'n' boltz wrote on Jan 29, 2007 4:58 PM:this guy says were nothing but a gang community...hahaha i wonder where he's from maybe hillcrest!!!i would love to have the chargers in the big O'side then people from the n. county wont have to drive so far to watch a game it really doesn't matter where they build it i'll still go...and as far as Oceanside not having any attractions for lame people we have the best wheather in the country and we just chill...
Bolt Believer wrote on Jan 29, 2007 9:22 PM:I live in Mira Mesa & if its not Mission Valley I have to go with O-side 1st, National City 2nd & Chula 3rd. If they leave SD county I won`t go further than Anahiem & I will spit on the Spanos family name.
The Oracle wrote on Jan 30, 2007 11:32 AM:The new Charger Stadium will be in OCEANSIDE, California. It will be called the Motorola Super Dome. It will seat 85,000 people. It will have a scenic Pacific Ocean view atop a 300 foot elevation. The Chargers will win 3 Super Bowls in it over a 10 year span. So it is said. So shall it be done.
BIGJOESDCA wrote on Jan 30, 2007 12:53 PM:I have to agree with the Oracle except on the Location but the CHARGERS will be a big contender in the next 5 -10 seasons especially with a brand new stadium. So someone needs to step up and give this next Dynasty a home.
Oceanside Native wrote on Aug 4, 2007 3:08 PM:Jay wrote on Jan 28, 2007 7:13 PM: " Why in this day of outsourcing don't they do what the other multi-million dollar corporations do? Build it in Mexico with unskilled, low paid labor with 3rd rate materials? Just think, we can see a game, pick up our prescription drugs and have our photo taken on a donkey all in the same afternoon! " PERFECTLY STATED, JAY!!!! Sadly, if the stadium is built here Oceanside residents will long for the "prestige and exclusivity" TJ has to offer in comparison. Nice point, Shock & Awe! We can only hope Bush will look up from eliminating all of our Civil Rights long enough to notice that our countries West Coast military protection, Camp Pendleton, could be compromised should the stadium relocate here. Oceanside City Council is not fit to make that choice...scary thought! I can't believe I actually have more faith in Bush than our Council on this one! Keep your fingers crossed! Oceanside has long been "the land that time forgot", which to an intelligent, mature person would be the obvious attraction. Have you been to any other Southern California beach towns/cities? Pure congested, over-populated hell. From Malibu to Mission Beach, Oceanside has had the slowest growth. THAT IS THE BEAUTY OF IT! The delusion of grandeur perpetuated in the minds of our Council members by the mere possibility of becoming home to the Chargers is a savvy business tactic from Spanos' camp. City Counsel members cannot honestly believe negotiations, of any sort, will occur. Spanos will own Oceanside and the City will owe him for decades to come while each Council Member will be giddily thanking him for their personal "notoriety" (15 minutes of fame). Don't delude yourselves - pride comes before the fall! You are all minnows in a vast ocean and Spanos is a Great White! Unless the stadium goes out in the San Luis Rey River Bed, well, there is no room for it in Oceanside. Since 'selling out' to Wal-Mart and inviting all of the urbanism the World's Largest Retailer brings as baggage, this city cannot withstand adding the seediness of a stadium. Monster Truck Rally? Think Kobey's Swap Meet and every two-bit hustler schlepping knock-off's EVERY WEEKEND in your neighborhood... WOW! No thanks. GOAT HILL? Is anyone paying attention? A civil engineer I am not, but it seems blatantly evident that the acreage of Jack Murphy Stadium (which the Bolts have supposedly outgrown)exceeds Goat Hill's property size. Every border of the public course is occupied - a great percentage by residential areas, albeit some which are in need of rejuvenation. Where do the throngs of people have tailgate parties and victory parties? We have enough crime in Oceanside as it stands.
Oceanside Native wrote on Aug 4, 2007 3:12 PM:NICE POINT, SHOCK & AWE!!! We can only hope Bush will look up from eliminating all of our Civil Rights long enough to notice that our countries West Coast military protection, Camp Pendleton, could be compromised should the stadium relocate here. Oceanside City Council is not fit to make that choice...scary thought! I can't believe I actually have more faith in Bush than our Council on this one! Keep your fingers crossed!
Oceanside Native wrote on Aug 4, 2007 3:15 PM:Oceanside has long been "the land that time forgot", which to an intelligent, mature person would be the obvious attraction. Have you been to any other Southern California beach towns/cities? Pure congested, over-populated hell. From Malibu to Mission Beach, Oceanside has had the slowest growth. THAT IS THE BEAUTY OF IT! The delusion of grandeur perpetuated in the minds of our Council members by the mere possibility of becoming home to the Chargers is a savvy business tactic from Spanos' camp. City Counsel members cannot honestly believe negotiations, of any sort, will occur. Spanos will own Oceanside and the City will owe him for decades to come while each Council Member will be giddily thanking him for their personal "notoriety" (15 minutes of fame). Don't delude yourselves - pride comes before the fall! You are all minnows in a vast ocean and Spanos is the Great White Shark!
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