Hold Up On Charger Stadium Plans: Convention Head Questions Viability Of 'Annex' Proposal

SAN DIEGO, CA -- The chairwoman of the San Diego Convention Center Corp. said today that the meeting annex included in the Chargers' proposed stadium initiative won't meet the need for additional exhibit space.

A planned expansion of the convention center has been held up for several years by litigation over its funding method and impact on the environment. San Diego tourism leaders contend they need a larger facility to keep Comic-Con International and attract the largest trade shows.

The Chargers' plan calls for construction of a 65,000-seat stadium and 385,000 square feet of exhibit space that would be a few blocks away from the convention center.

"Our clients choose San Diego for a reason, and they told us decidedly in a recent study that they prefer a contiguous expansion,'' said Rabbi Laurie Coskey, who runs the board that oversees the center. Contiguous is the term used to keep all the convention exhibit space together.

• Previous: Chargers Latest: SD Mayor Scrutinizing $1.8 Billion Stadium Proposal With Jobs, Taxpayers In Mind

"We remain committed to an on-site contiguous expansion,'' Coskey said. "A separate building, any number of blocks away, does not provide the preferred meeting model that will serve our existing and future clients. We continue to stress (that) expanding on our current footprint will allow us to maintain a competitive edge and provide the greatest return on investment for the citizens of San Diego.''

She didn't address a proposed increase in the transient occupancy tax to 16.5 percent, which would impact conventions that commit to booking large numbers of hotel rooms when their organizers agree to come to San Diego.

Councilman Chris Cate said he was concerned with raising the levy from 10.5 percent, with a 2 percent fee on top to fund tourism promotion.

"Counting on a significant tax increase to fund the construction of this plan, while also reducing marketing and promotional investments, will affect our ability to compete with other markets for tourists and conventions,'' Cate said. "Realistically, as the third largest source of revenue for our city, any potential negative impact to this funding source, no matter how minimal, could impact our ability to pay for police services or pave our streets.''

Chargers officials said the 2 percent fee would be eliminated under their plan, but contend that some of the revenue from the tax hike will be dedicated for tourism promotion.

Councilman Scott Sherman, whose district includes the team's current playing home in Mission Valley, was also critical of the proposed initiative.

"Once again, it appears the Chargers have chosen the path of most resistance,'' Sherman said. "At first glance, I am not encouraged.''

Councilman Todd Gloria, who represents downtown, did not immediately issue a statement on the Chargers' plans.

Ray Ellis -- a candidate to succeed Councilwoman Sherri Lightner in a district that represents Carmel Valley, La Jolla and University City -- said he opposes the use of taxpayer funds on a stadium, and agreed with Coskey's
remarks.

"The Chargers are trying to prop up their stadium tax with a convention center annex that already has been rejected by Comic-Con and the San Diego Convention Center,'' Ellis said. "Voters will see that. Most of the people I talk to in La Jolla, Carmel Valley, University City and elsewhere -- they want their roads fixed, and they lost patience with the Chargers a long time ago.''

One of his opponents, Barbara Bry, reiterated her support for another proposed initiative that would prohibit the expenditure of public funds on a football stadium. That plan, by former Councilwoman Donna Frye and lawyer Cory
Briggs, would prohibit an on-site expansion of the convention center.

Mayoral candidate Ed Harris said he also supported what Frye and Briggs call the Citizens Plan for San Diego. Their initiative has not yet qualified for the ballot.

Also see:

• Construction To Begin On $18 Million Upscale East County Hotel
• Want To Vacation In No. 1 Travel Spot In U.S.? Don't Leave Home
• Comic-Con Confidential: 'Star Trek: 50 Artists. 50 Years' To Debut

Related Chargers coverage:

• Chargers Latest: SD Mayor Scrutinizing $1.8 Billion Stadium Proposal With Jobs, Taxpayers In Mind
• Chargers Expect Two-Thirds Requirement For Stadium Ballot Measure
• Chargers Moving Forward With Ballot Measure
• San Diego Chargers Want to Move Downtown
• UPDATE From Spanos: Chargers To Stay In San Diego In 2016, Will Pursue Long-Term Deal
• BREAKING: NFL Owners Approve Chargers, Rams to Los Angeles

--City News Service/Morguefile image