San Diego Chamber approves of Chargers stadium plan

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SAN DIEGO, July 28, 2016: In a press release released Thursday the San Diego Chamber of Commerce announced it will support the San Diego Chargers’ plan to build a multi-use sports complex and convention facility in downtown San Diego.

Former Mayor, and now current President and CEO of the San Diego Chamber, Jerry Sanders said, “We take pride in being an action-oriented business organization that works to continually move our region forward. After a thorough review of the plan we believe the Chargers Initiative is the best step forward in meeting the challenge before us: keeping our NFL team in San Diego and enhancing our convention industry.”

He added, “For us, it’s also a matter of civic pride, and the positive impact a new stadium would have on the East Village, Downtown, and the entire region.”

Chargers representatives, partner organizations, and interested stakeholders were appointed to a special ad-hoc committee by Board Chair Ernesto Arredondo and was chaired by Sanders. They made their recommendation Thursday during the Board’s regularly scheduled meeting, after Chargers representatives made a special presentation and answered questions from the Board .

Dean Spanos, Chairman of the Chargers, said, “Having the support from the respected membership of the Chamber, and Jerry in particular, is tremendously important to our success in November. We recognize and appreciate the role the Chamber plays in regional business issues and we look forward to working together to make sure this project moves forward in a way that is in the best interest of businesses and the San Diego community as a whole.”

Arredondo and Sanders delivered to Spanos a left of support that outlined several considerations the Chamber requested be addressed by the Chargers. Among them:

  • The Tourism Marking District be made whole at 2percent
  • Scheduling of games to best accommodate large events in the city
  • Replacement parking identified for removal of TailgatePark
  • Appropriate community outreach to address infrastructureneeds
  • Absolute protection of the City of San Diego’s GeneralFund

The Chamber outlined several benefits of the Chargers’ initiative:

  • The important role an NFL team plays as a retention and attraction tool for business andemployees
  • The estimated 7,000 permanent and 15,000 construction and construction related jobs that will be created as a result of newstadium
  • Additional space available for conventions
  • Continued revitalization of Downtown and EastVillage

In the release the Chamber said it,  “… will continue conversations with the Chargers as necessary to assist in addressing the outlined considerations and facilitating the community dialogue over the plan.”

Top photo by Claudia Gestro