The Sunnyvale Sun
News
Business leaders, residents huddle over stadium plan
By Stephen Baxter
If the San Francisco 49ers build an $854 million football stadium in Santa Clara by fall 2012, it will be less than a quarter-mile from residents on Sunnyvale's north side.
Sunnyvale residents are taking sides on whether they want a 68,000-seat stadium built in the parking lot of the Great America theme park in Santa Clara, and many and business and political leaders are cheering the project.
"I think it's good for business in our community," said Suzi Blackman, president and CEO of the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce.
Jed York, the 49ers strategic planning director, touted the stadium proposal at a Chamber breakfast on June 14 at Belmont Village Assisted Living in Sunnyvale. York said two of the main concerns that Sunnyvale residents have--game day traffic and parking--would be managed.
On weekdays, traffic studies suggest that roughly 32,000 cars drive by Lawrence Expressway and Tasman Drive. Sundays generally have quieter traffic, and during the 10 49ers home games,the team expects 20,000 cars. York said the team is also trying to use the proposed stadium for the Super Bowl, Major League Soccer, college football, bowl games and motocross, among other things.
Santa Clara police and Sunnyvale authorities will restrict parking on all residential streets during events, and York said that "pirate" parking lots would be forbidden.
The team expects one in four fans to ride to games on buses or light rail. The Valley Transportation Authority's Great America rail station is about 100 feet from the proposed stadium, York said.
Some Sunnyvale residents remain unconvinced about the project, saying events there would inevitably snarl Sunday traffic on Highways 101 and 237. Others see it as a boon for business.
About 1,200 construction jobs would be created to build the sports park.
Pete Richards, owner of a Sunnyvale hardware business called Nut N Bolt Guy, listened to York's speech and said he supported the stadium.
"I love the idea. It's bringing a lot of prosperity to our city," Richards said.
"I run a nut and bolt business, and this guy's talking about construction." Richards supports the 49ers, and his son plays football at Fremont High School.
Some Sunnyvale residents who would be most affected by the proposed stadium live in Adobe Wells mobile home park at 1220 Tasman Drive.
Jack Even, a chiropractor, has lived there for 22 years.
"I think it would be great for the businesses around here," he said. Even added that he did not worry about increased traffic, and said the rail line's proximity would help. "I think anywhere they go people would be against it ... but I think it would be good," he said.
A report by Convention Spots & Leisure commissioned by the team indicated that $249 million in new economic activity would be added to the regional economy starting in 2012. The new spending also would funnel $12.3 million to local and state tax funds annually, the study suggested. Sunnyvale taxpayers would pay nothing.
York also projects more fans will book hotels and flights to games because only 9 percent of 49ers season ticketholders live in San Francisco. Others come from Sacramento, Los Angeles and even Hawaii.
Sunnyvale Mayor Otto Lee has been a strident supporter of the proposal, and he is trying to connect city businesses with the team. York said Lee's support has been "phenomenal" and he invited Lee to watch drills at the 49ers summer training camp in Santa Clara.
The Santa Clara City Council is expected to decide in August whether to continue pursuing a new home for the 49ers, who went 7-9 last season.
"I think it's moving in the right direction ... we're just very excited to be in this process," York said. "A first-class team deserves a first-class stadium."
