This past weekend, Mayor Faulconer laid out why taxpayers should support a proposal for the Qualcomm / Jack Murphy Stadium rehab deal to retain the Chargers, The Mayor argued for the proposed deal for these reasons:
1- The 90’s deal was a bad one which taxpayers still have to pay.
2- This deal will attract $750MM in private capital.
3- This deal retains the Chargers.
Okayfine. It’s a “you gotta spend money to keep from going bankrupt” statement. It reminds San Diegans that, by doing nothing, there will be no Holiday Bowl, Poinsettia Bowl, future Super Bowls, and no home for San Diego State Football. That’s a real threat which can’t be ignored.
But nobody is looking at the obvious option; give the stadium to the Chargers. I’m no fan of handouts to billionaires, but, if the argument is that we can’t afford the thing unless we spend more money, give it away with some deed restrictions.
Let the Chargers pick up the remaining liabilities, shoulder the rehab costs, and deal with the two college bowl games and San Diego State football relationship. Simply get the City of San Diego out of the real estate business and let the Chargers develop and manage that property — I’ll bet they stay in San Diego until at least the 22nd century.