Stadium

Vacation Beginings and Endings

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Back from vacation just in time to see the 49ers march off on their summer break. From mid June to July the NFL shutters the windows and throws sheets over the furniture. But that doesn't mean we will by cracky! We'll cover the drabs and dribs from the team and throw up some discussion topics, answer questions, and quibble over the relative merits of the relentless stadium quest to Alex Smith's quarterback drop.

Speaking of stadiums, it appears while I was back East roasting in Manhattan's broiling heat, the city-state of Santa Clara and the team of the 1980's decided to postpone the ballot measure on the stadium down in the 408 area code.

Just reading a few accounts, it should be noted that the measure wouldn't increase taxes on Santa Clarans, at least not directly. A surcharge would be added to hotel rooms in the area and taxes would also be taken from a re-development project and the always nebulous "future developments." So unless your mother-in-law is getting back pain from the creaky pull-out couch and needs a hotel room, Santa Clarans can keep the coins lodged in the pull-out.

Senator Arlen Specter at Capital Hill.

phillymag.,com

Senator Arlen Specter at Capital Hill.

Of course, an argument can be made, and apparently Pennsylvania Republican Senator Arlen Specter is willing to make it, that taxes on developments could be going to other things - health care, education, job training.

The 49ers counter by saying Santa Clara will get plenty of extra jobs with the building and the maintaining of the stadium as well as increased taxes to the general fund from the stadium's economic activity. Another $1 million could be funneled into the general fund by a stadium authority established by the team and the city.

The 49ers also maintain that a delayed vote from November to a special election between June and October of 2009 won't impact the goal of opening the stadium in 2012. Towering impediments remain, like the dispute over parking with Great America, which could increase the already mounting cost. Of course, delays will add to the cost. Originally estimated to be $854 million, Santa Clara now puts the stadium price at $916 million. Throw in a few over-runs and it would likely cost over a cool billion.

Each day the 49ers remain in crumbling Candlestick is another day the team loses out on the extra revenue produced by a new stadium. Thus the stadium saga, which started some 13 seasons ago, continues.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | June 18 2008 at 10:55 PM

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Measure G and OTA's

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The 49ers will follow San Francisco's Measure G closely in tomorrow's election and so should 49ers' fans. G allows the Lennar Corporation to develop an 800-acre parcel in Bay View-Hunter's Point with shops and high-rise office and residential space. Lennar will also develop a "pad" for a possible 49ers Stadium.

Former 49ers' executive Carmen Policy, a San Francisco resident and a paid proponent of G said, "What this means for the city and for the largest undeveloped and plagued area is just unbelievable." He also said it was the last opportunity for the 49ers to build a stadium in San Francisco.

The 49ers are in favor of San Francisco's Measure G.

The 49ers are in favor of San Francisco's Measure G.

G would allow Lennar to clean up toxins from the Naval Shipyard and then provide green lights for Lennar to partner with other companies to construct high raises, build "green tech" buildings and restore and expand open space areas. Also contained in the measure is a "pad" for a 49ers' stadium surrounded by ample parking and a promise from Lennar that they would provide infrastructure and $100 million to the team in their effort to build the stadium.

The measure would also allow for 33 percent of the residences to go to affordable housing for families of differing income groups. For example a family of four living on $64,000 would get a break and even a family four making $80,000 or $85,000 could get a break.

There would also be accommodations for families in the lowest income bracket.

G is competing with Measure F. F compells Lennar to designate half of the housing as affordable for the lowest income level. Lennar maintains they couldn't afford to move forward with the project with that stipulation. G also doesn't provide a "pad" for a possible 49ers' stadium.

Policy agrees that F's passage would kill the Lennar project.

"Turning your back on measure G is actually a move of irresponsibility in terms of citizenship and caring about San Francisco as a whole and that section of the city in particular," Policy said.

The 49ers, which is pushing forward on a re-developement and hotel-tax measure in Santa Clara for a stadium there, doesn't object to the Measure G and why would they? G's passage would only widened their options and maybe allow them more leverage in Santa Clara.

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Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | June 02 2008 at 05:34 PM

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