Local businesses surrounding Petco Park are asking the Mayor for relief. They say there aren't enough off-season events at the stadium and local businesses owners are left to fend for themselves during the off-season.
According to a January 25 report from David Graham, policy director for the Mayor, the current agreement between the City and the Padres organization dissuades the ball-club from holding off-season events.
"The current agreement with the Padres...authorizes the Padres to be the sole manager of the ballpark, but provides a disincentive for the organization to hold events in the off-season," reads the report.
"Local resident and business groups have contacted the City to express concerns regarding the viability of businesses in and around the [ballpark] as several operations have closed since the opening of Petco Park.
In an attempt to level the playing field for nearby businesses that are struggling to stay in the game, the Padres conducted a pilot program that looked into whether hosting more small events and large concerts at the park is economically viable for the team. The team found that in order to be sustainable, the joint-use agreement needs to be reworked.
The agreement, as drawn up in 2000, gives the City 70 percent of revenues from small events and concerts at the park during the off-season; 30 percent goes to the team. During that same time, the City is responsible for 70 percent of the losses if expenses exceed revenues. The opposite is true during the baseball season; the Padres collect 70 percent of profits, and pays 70 percent of the losses.
But the team wants that changed. The organization says they are willing to pay $750,000 more per year on capital improvements for the remainder of the lease, and allow the City to eliminate participating in special events. In exchange, the Padres want 70 percent of revenues year-round, while paying the City a $300,000 flat fee.
Staff from the City's Office of Economic Growth department will pitch the proposal to the Rules Committee on Wednesday at 9am.
Image of Petco Park from San Diego Padres Facebook profile
Local businesses surrounding Petco Park are asking the Mayor for relief. They say there aren't enough off-season events at the stadium and local businesses owners are left to fend for themselves during the off-season.
According to a January 25 report from David Graham, policy director for the Mayor, the current agreement between the City and the Padres organization dissuades the ball-club from holding off-season events.
"The current agreement with the Padres...authorizes the Padres to be the sole manager of the ballpark, but provides a disincentive for the organization to hold events in the off-season," reads the report.
"Local resident and business groups have contacted the City to express concerns regarding the viability of businesses in and around the [ballpark] as several operations have closed since the opening of Petco Park.
In an attempt to level the playing field for nearby businesses that are struggling to stay in the game, the Padres conducted a pilot program that looked into whether hosting more small events and large concerts at the park is economically viable for the team. The team found that in order to be sustainable, the joint-use agreement needs to be reworked.
The agreement, as drawn up in 2000, gives the City 70 percent of revenues from small events and concerts at the park during the off-season; 30 percent goes to the team. During that same time, the City is responsible for 70 percent of the losses if expenses exceed revenues. The opposite is true during the baseball season; the Padres collect 70 percent of profits, and pays 70 percent of the losses.
But the team wants that changed. The organization says they are willing to pay $750,000 more per year on capital improvements for the remainder of the lease, and allow the City to eliminate participating in special events. In exchange, the Padres want 70 percent of revenues year-round, while paying the City a $300,000 flat fee.
Staff from the City's Office of Economic Growth department will pitch the proposal to the Rules Committee on Wednesday at 9am.
Image of Petco Park from San Diego Padres Facebook profile