A development group, including current San Diego Padres owner Jeff Moorad, has approached the City of Escondido with the possibility of creating a public-private partnership to develop a Triple A ballpark in the City of Escondido. Such a facility is anticipated to be a catalyst toward stimulating redevelopment activity in an underutilized industrial area, and to improve the City's fiscal stability by diversifying the economic base and broadening employment opportunities. The City is currently involved in extensive negotiations and an evaluation of the proposed ballpark project.
To fully evaluate the feasibility of such a project, certain environmental studies are necessary, as well as work related to the design, and funding for the project. Discussions between City staff and the development group have reached the point where consulting expertise is necessary to evaluate a proposed site on Spruce Street involving the City's Public Works yard and surrounding properties. At its September 22, 2010, City Council meeting, the Council authorized staff to execute the following consulting agreements for those environmental studies:
- Consulting work by Linscott, Law & Greenspan, engineers for transportation, traffic and parking studies pertaining to the ballpark, will cost approximately $75,000.
- Consulting work by Helix Environmental Planning, Inc. for environmental consulting services pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) will cost approximately $148,000.
An additional $150,000 was approved by the City Council for consulting services pertaining to financial analysis, legal and redevelopment analysis, and consultation relative to ballpark development. The funding for these consultants will come from redevelopment funds.
On November 17, 2010, the City Council in closed session authorized a study to relocate the North County Transit District’s CNG filling station and bus parking yard currently located on Spruce Street. No funding source was designated at that time.
On December 15, 2010, City Council and the Community Development Commission approved Resolutions CDC 2010-15 and CDC 2010-16 authorizing a First Amendment to consulting agreements with Helix Environmental Planning, Inc. and Linscott, Law & Greenspan (LLG). Council and the Commission also approved a total budget adjustment of $263,579 into the Community Development Commission (CDC) budget for the above amendments as well as ongoing and new consulting services pertaining to the development of a minor league ballpark.
On March 16, 2011, the City Council and the Community Development Commission approved a budget adjustment that placed $91,630 into the Community Development Commission (CDC) budget for the following ongoing consulting services pertaining to the development of a minor league ballpark:
- CB Urban Development – $41,630
- Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth – $30,000
- Overland Pacific & Cutler, Inc. – $15,000
- Helix Environmental – $5,000
For additional information about the ballpark, please view the following links:
NOTE: Additional information is available on Planning Division's web page under Projects: Proposed Minor League Baseball Park.