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November 01, 2007

Mercury News endorses Wolff's stadium plan

To paraphrase Sally Field's famous Oscar acceptance speech, "They like it! They really, really like it!"

Sometime when we weren't looking, a big light bulb appeared over the heads of members of the San Jose Mercury News editorial board, and we see the result today: a ringing endorsement of Lew Wolff's stadium proposal and a recommendation that the City Council vote to continue negotiations when they meet Tuesday night.

In fact, not only does the Mercury News endorse the plan, the paper even suggests that some freshly-minted city rules be stretched, if necessary, to get the deal finished as soon as possible.

The extension adds another layer of controversy because it will require the council to break a rule it just passed: limiting general-plan changes to just one set of hearings a year, so the cumulative effects of the land-use decisions are clear. Those hearings are likely to take place in March. But Wolff and city staff believe it may take months longer to tie up details of the complex stadium deal, requiring an additional general-plan session.

Why is this proposal worth all the trouble? Because it may well deliver an extraordinary public benefit that's not attainable any other way: a professional soccer stadium at no public cost.

We understand that, as soccer fans, we are seen to have a vested interest in Wolff's proposal. We think that despite that, however, we can give an unbiased appraisal of the deal, and it's honestly just too good to pass up. We're happy that the Mercury News has recognized that, too.

See you all Tuesday night.

Posted by Jay at November 1, 2007 07:16 AM

Comments

Hell just froze over.

Posted by: Dan at November 1, 2007 02:01 PM

I would think that if the stadium is going to be no public cost the status quo would support the deal, yet there seems to be a bit of opposition.

Thank goodness the Mercury News editors got their heads straight on this one. On the flip side, I see a battle beginning to form in regards to the 49ers going to Santa Clara but that's for another debate. ;)

OK see you Tuesday!

Posted by: Hawkeye17 at November 1, 2007 02:56 PM

Honestly the Santa Clara-49ers debate is definitely one worth having. After the Niners offered to buy Great America it's become obvious they don't need the 160 million from Santa Clara Power. They're just hoping to get it and hoping to force SC into giving it to them by playing SF off of SC. Santa Clara needs to hold firm and tell the Niners to take a hike if they aren't going to pay for the stadium themselves like Wolff is planning to do in SJ. I know the value of a soccer stadium in the US vs a Football stadium is different by about a power of 10, but that shouldn't preclude the Niners from having a planning vision that is unique like the Quakes have.

Posted by: Dan at November 2, 2007 02:54 PM