Chula Vista is a growing city of approximately 225,000 people that spans over 33,000 acres from San Diego Bay to well east of Interstate 15. Currently we are finalizing a Master Plan for our Bayfront and we recently passed a General Plan Update. Chula Vista has a vision for future generations and it includes creating jobs, education opportunities, safe neighborhoods and housing for all. As a native Chula Vistan, I’m proud to be a part of the direction we are heading.
Chula Vista proudly offers an array of amenities and attractions for the region, including Coors Amphitheater, Soak City, The Nature Center and Otay Valley Regional Park. We have a vast amount of open space as well as beautiful views of the bayfront, including downtown San Diego. But what makes Chula Vista uniquely situated to site a new stadium are the enormous development opportunities throughout the city. We are currently working with consultants to determine the viability of sites in both eastern and western Chula Vista and it is easy to see how a stadium would be beneficial in either location. Our well-planned infrastructure makes both locations accessible by all major freeways and public transportation.
Looking at the eastern portion of the city, it is important to point out we are currently in the planning stages of building a four-year university. The way I see, we could accommodate an expansion of San Diego State University and all of the facilities the institution requires would be complimented by a stadium. It could also create a sports complex with the proximity so close to the United States Olympic Training Center that is located in Chula Vista.
If all things go well with state regulators this year, Chula Vista can be rid of the 40-year old eyesore called the South Bay Power Plant. This opens up enormous opportunities on the southern portion of our vast bayfront. A stadium could provide the much needed catalyst to redevelop an area which could really use revitalization. In western Chula Vista there are enormous opportunities that would be economically beneficial for the entire region within the state’s newly designated South Bay Enterprise Zone, which provide tax credits and other benefits to encourage the business investment.
This will all be vetted through the Chargers Relocation Sub-committee once the consultants submit the viability of these locations. We are eagerly awaiting this analysis and hope to narrow it down by early summer so we can move forward in the public process.