Chargers Stadium Ballot Measure Trails Badly in Early Election Results

SAN DIEGO -- A ballot measure that would raise hotel room taxes to partially fund a downtown football stadium for the Chargers trailed with 38.8 percent of the vote after the initial release of results on Election Day.

Measure C is one of a dozen local propositions that confronted San Diego voters, with questions also regarding election scheduling, San Diego High School and funding for improvements at regional parks, among other things.

Since it could impact whether the Chargers remain in San Diego, Measure C has received by far the most publicity. The proposal advanced by the team calls for a combination football stadium and convention facility to be built in the East Village near Petco Park.

Construction and operations would be funded, in part, by an increase in the city's hotel room tax. The levy is currently 10.5 percent of room bills,with an extra 2 percent fee that pays for tourism promotions. Under Measure C,the tourism fee would be eliminated, but the room tax would rise to 16.5 percent.

Because of the tax increase, Measure C needs to receive more than 66 percent of the vote to pass.

The Chargers and NFL would kick in a combined $650 million toward the project. Team executives said the combined facility would not only result in a state-of-the-art football stadium, but space that could be used for around 300 days a year.

Mayor Kevin Faulconer endorsed Measure C early last month after reaching a deal with Chargers Chairman Dean Spanos on a series of protections for the city coffers.

Measure D, which would have redirected tourism financing in San Diego,barred an onsite expansion of the convention center and set aside Qualcomm Stadium for educational and park uses if it's abandoned by the Chargers, was being rejected by 60 percent of the voters.

Other city of San Diego ballot measures were ahead, most by wide margins.

By City News Service/Image via Shutterstock