City and county officials said Wednesday the NFL’s decision to keep the Chargers waiting on a move to Los Angeles gives San Diego another chance to build a new stadium.
“Welcome to a new day in the stadium discussions here in San Diego,” said Supervisor Ron Roberts at a press conference at City Hall. He appealed to the Chargers to work together with the city and county to build a “new, world-class NFL stadium.”
National Football League owners meeting in Houston on Tuesday voted to allow the St. Louis Rams to move to a new stadium in Inglewood on the west side of Los Angeles.
The Chargers, which had proposed a stadium in Carson on the south side of Los Angeles, were given an option to join the Rams in Inglewood after a planned public vote in San Diego on a new stadium. The vote is likely to take place during the general election in November.
Mayor Kevin Faulconer said the current plan to build a new stadium in Mission Valley remains the most viable option. The plan would replace Qualcomm Stadium on the current site. A lengthy environmental impact statement has already been prepared.
“We do have on the table a plan that’s viable,” he said. “That is our best opportunity for success.”
Faulconer said other locations are possible, but both he and City Attorney Jan Goldsmith said choosing another location would take more time. “We’re far ahead in Mission Valley,” he said.
The mayor said he called Chargers Owner Dean Spanos to open up discussions and was awaiting his response. “Today’s the opportunity for a fresh start, let’s take it,” Faulconer said.
