Here’s why I’m YES on Measure G (SDSU West):
- Like many San Diegans, I wish that the city had been allowed to go through the normal process, whereby after an RFP and much public debate, a winner had been chosen for the current Mission Valley location of the Chargers. But Measure E (SoccerCity) forced the hands of civic-minded people to stand up for the university before the land was stolen by the hedge fund guys. Given that this is isn’t the process we want but it’s the process we’ve gotten, this is the best of the two options.
- Voting YES means saving taxpayers millions and 10 years of debate. I think it’s HIGHLY LIKELY that if the city were to go through a regular process, something like SDSU West would emerge from that process… just in 10 years and at a cost of millions of dollars.
- Living in the college area I know how much pressure the growth of SDSU is putting on the neighborhoods. The College neighborhood immediately to our north has been entirely lost to mini dorms, including developers getting an ordinance meant to protect the neighborhood from mini dorms in the courts. Building out MV for SDSU– even if it’s not that much housing– will take pressure off of the College area neighborhoods and move it down to MV which is better equipped for higher density housing.
- Unlike SoccerCity, SDSU West would sell the land to the CSU and any development going forward would undergo a complete environmental review.
- With a growing population in California every university in San Diego needs room to grow. Last year 93,000 people applied for 8,000 first-year spots. The current campus is pretty much maxed out, we need more space.
- Everything will be paid for via public/private partnerships and revenue bonds. This won’t raise the cost of education nor will it pass the cost off to citizens.
- All of the costs of upkeep, tearing down the existing stadium, etc immediately go to SDSU as soon as the deal closes. (This is a big difference between Measure G and Measure E)
I could go on and on. Given the circumstances, this is the best option for SDSU and the city. Voting no on it would only delay things by 10 years for no real reason, basically just making it all more expensive for everyone.
Full disclosure
I’m a season ticket holder and a relatively inactive member of the Aztec Club, who does fundraising for SDSU Athletics.
I am currently working with SDSU West’s spokesperson Fred Pierce on an unrelated neighborhood matter. He and I have no relationship beyond the discussions we’ve had on the neighborhood matter.
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