| Santa Clara County, CA | November 4, 2008 Election |
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San Francisco 49ers football stadium pros and consBy Ciaran Gerard O'Donnell, Ph.DCandidate for Council Member; City of Santa Clara; Seat 7 |
This information is provided by the candidate | |
In November 2006, the 49ers announced their interest in building a football stadium in the City of Santa Clara. It would be located on part of the parking lot of Great America Theme Park, 5000 Great America Parkway, just south of Tasman Blvd. This land is owned by the city and leased to Great America for parking purposes. The estimated cost of the stadium is about one billion dollars including a city subsidy of about $140 million dollars. The stadium would seat 69,000 people. According to city and 49ers experts, the stadium would result in $85 million of economic activity and 830 jobs. About 20 percent of these jobs would be inside Santa Clara. It is expected to generate $13 million through employment and earnings and about $100,000 in sales tax. The proposed site is close to Highway 237 and a light rail line which makes it quite accessible. The current proposal involves a city subsidy of $138 million the current issue being the return on the city's investiment which is quite low. Once this issue has been resolved a referendum will be held for the voters to approve or reject bonds to fund the project. Opponents to the stadium cite the noise and the proximity of single family homes as well as a possible increase in crime (incidents have been noted at 49ers games in San Francisco). Supporters of the stadium point out that we would lose the existing training facility and the possibility of having concerns in town. The stadium is a small one compared to the Aztec Stadium in Mexico city which can seat 200,000 people. Right now, I am neutral on the football stadium. Our city is in a difficult financial situation and we have existing commitments including the Northside Library and rebuilding the International Swim Center. Also I am a supporter of a sound fiscal policy. If elected, and if the stadium issue would come up for a vote, I would push the 49ers should pay an amount equivalent to the value of the property to cover costs for the city. It is normal that a for profit business cover the costs of city and county services and that it help our schools. I would also support application of a living wage ordinance. It is more prudent for the city to have a good policy than to give power to unions. |
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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 26, 2008 21:46
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